An emulsion is a kinetic problem, not a thermodynamic one. Oil and water will separate eventually; the question is whether they separate within the residence time available in the equipment. Stabilising agents at the droplet interface, particularly asphaltenes and fine solids, form films that resist coalescence, and the finer the droplets the longer separation takes. Shear creates fine droplets, which is why choke and pump arrangements upstream of separation matter as much as the separator itself.

Demulsifiers work by displacing or disrupting those interfacial films so droplets can coalesce. They are crude-specific, which is why bottle testing is standard practice: a chemical that works in one field may do nothing in another, and a change in water cut, temperature or commingling can invalidate a selection that worked for years. Dosage matters in both directions, since overdosing can stabilise an emulsion rather than break it.

Most separation problems in the field are diagnosed from a small set of observations: where the interface sits, what the rag layer looks like, oil in water and water in oil measurements, and the temperature profile. Adding more chemical is the usual first response and is often the wrong one. This course teaches diagnosis before dosing.

By the end of this training, participants will be able to:

• Explain emulsion types, formation and stabilisation mechanisms.
• Assess the effect of crude composition, solids, water chemistry, temperature and shear.
• Characterise emulsions using droplet size, stability and interfacial analysis.
• Design and run bottle tests and interpret the results.
• Select demulsifiers and plan field trials.
• Describe gravity separation, heater treaters and electrostatic coalescers and their operating limits.
• Optimise temperature, residence time and chemical dosage together.
• Manage rag layers and interface problems.
• Specify produced water clarification and reverse demulsifier treatment.
• Troubleshoot separation problems systematically.

Organisations sending participants to this training will:

• Meet crude oil and produced water specifications reliably.
• Reduce chemical consumption and cost through better selection and dosing.
• Reduce separator upsets and rag layer problems.
• Improve produced water quality and reduce disposal issues.
• Improve diagnosis before changing chemicals or equipment settings.

Participants will:

• Understand why emulsions form and what stabilises them.
• Be able to run and interpret bottle tests.
• Be able to select demulsifiers and set dosage.
• Understand separation equipment and its operating limits.
• Be able to troubleshoot separation problems in the field.

• Production chemists
• Production engineers
• Facilities and process engineers
• Operations engineers and supervisors
• Chemical treatment and service company staff
• Laboratory and technical services staff

Upon successful completion of this training course, delegates will be awarded an official Certificate of Completion issued by the Petroleum Engineers Association (PEA), an ISO 9001:2015 certified training organization. The certificate carries 10 Credits and formally records the total learning hours completed.

Each certificate is signed by the Course Facilitator and the CEO of the Petroleum Engineers Association, and serves as verifiable proof of professional training that delegates can present to employers and professional bodies worldwide.