The EXPEC Advanced Research Center (EXPEC ARC) and North Ghawar Producing Department (NGPD) have completed trials of a new inline water separator (IWS) technology designed to strengthen Saudi Aramco's reputation as the world's most reliable energy supplier.

Aramco anticipates that water production from its vast fields will increase considerably in the coming years as mature plays enter decline and it has commissioned the trial of the new technology in a bid to mitigate the effects of water on pipeline pressure.

In some cases, water can constitute the majority of output from a well and the flow of water through pipelines en route to a separating plant can slow oil production dramatically.

With the new technology, EXPEC ARC and NGPD have developed a method of separating the immiscible fluids before they enter the pipeline.

Abdulaziz O Al-Kaabi, acting manager of EXPEC ARC, commented: "With the IWS, we can now handle the water closer to its source and prolong the life of our fields while minimising the use of artificial lift."

As the world's largest oil producer, Saudi Arabia may need to invest heavily in training to introduce the new technology across all of its producing fields.

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