It is essential to have a good knowledge of the fluid composition and characteristics prior to determining the available treatment techniques. This will ensure that the minimum facilities are specified to achieve the required qualities.

Some of the main characteristics to be defined are:

Oil and Gas

• Physical properties such as density, pour point, yield stress, BS&W
• Wax appearance temperature and foaming tendency
• Asphaltene formation tendency
• Gas Hydrate formation potential
• Dehydration behaviour

Water

• physical properties including; density, dissolved and suspended solids, oil in water
• Full Ionic analysis, pH, viscosity, conductivity and chlorine demand
• Bacterial analysis and nutrient content
• Dissolved gases and composition
• Solids particle and oil droplet size distribution analysis