The discussion to this point has focused on a situation where all the wells in a field produce at roughly the same flowing tubing pressure, and stage separation is used to maximize liquid production and minimize compressor horsepower. Often, as in our example flowsheet, stage separation is used because different wells producing to the facility have different flowing tubing pressures. This could be because they are completed in different reservoirs, or are located in the same reservoir but have different water production rates. By using a manifold arrangement and different primary separator operating pressures, there is not only the benefit of stage separation of high-pressure liquids, but also conservation of reservoir energy. High-pressure wells can continue to flow at sales pressure requiring no compression, while those with lower tubing pressures can flow into whichever system minimizes compression.
