Method and apparatus for processing a petroleum production stream

Abstract

A method and apparatus for processing a petroleum production stream at a remote location, e.g., offshore platform, to produce a liquid product stream having a stabilized vapor pressure, and a gas product stream having a stabilized, low dew point temperature at high pressure. The production stream is flowed through four separation stages where gas is separated from the liquid stream. The handling of the gas and condensed liquids from each of the stages is such that the present flow sequence closely simulates that of a conventional distillation tower and operates almost exactly the same except the principal driving force for vapor boil-up is pressure drop instead of reboiler heat. 'Reboiler' heat is also provided in the process by heating the condensed liquid stream before it is returned to the third separation stage and this, along with the control of the pressure of the fourth stage, controls the final vapor pressure of the liquid product stream. The present invention utilizes a minimum of equipment to provide good fractionating efficiency within practical horsepower limits and, by proper routing of the condensed liquids, eliminates the need of disposing of any third product streams from the process.