Desalting & Heating-Separation Integration Module
Electric desalting and three-phase separation in one engineered module -- from water-cut wellstream to export-specification crude oil, integrated and factory-tested as a single system.
Salt ≤ 3 PTB
(2025 First-of-its-Kind)
When Gravity Separation Alone Cannot Meet Export Specification
A three-phase separator removes bulk water and gas from crude oil -- achieving BS&W in the range of 1-5%. For pipeline export, tanker loading, or refinery feedstock, the specification is typically BS&W ≤ 0.2-0.5% and salt content ≤ 3-10 PTB. Electrostatic desalting achieves this by applying a high-voltage electric field to break tight emulsions. Our integration module combines these steps into a single engineered system.
Offshore Production: Export Crude Quality
Offshore facilities must typically produce export-specification crude directly before transfer. An integrated desalting and separation module -- designed with a defined footprint and performance guarantee -- is the most space and weight-efficient solution, minimising offshore commissioning time.
Onshore Export Terminal Crude Conditioning
Terminals condition wellstream production to meet pipeline entry or tanker loading specifications. An integrated desalting module performs the final dehydration and desalting step, conditioning commingled production to export specification before storage or metering.
Offshore-to-Onshore Terminal Processing
Crude arriving via submarine pipeline may have significant water content and dissolved salts. LINSON OIL's 2025 First-of-its-Kind Equipment for CNOOC's Wushi Oilfield was awarded for this exact duty: conditioning offshore crude at an onshore terminal with integrated dehydration.
Upstream Desalting for Refinery Feedstock
Upstream desalting reduces a refinery's own desalter load, saving energy and chemical costs. For operators under quality-linked pricing contracts, upstream desalting directly improves crude oil value.
Primary Reference: CNOOC Wushi Oilfield Group -- Onshore Terminal
Integrated dehydration, stabilisation, LNG liquefaction, and mercury removal system -- including crude oil dehydration stages -- for an onshore terminal processing production from offshore Wushi oilfield wells. Designated 2025 Shandong Province First-of-its-Kind Equipment.
View Full Project DetailsFrom Wellstream to Export-Grade Crude
The Integrated Process Sequence
Why Electric Desalting Works
Crude oil emulsions are stabilised by naturally occurring surfactants that prevent water droplets from coalescing. For droplets below ~100 μm, gravity settling is too slow. An electrostatic desalter applies a high-voltage AC or DC electric field (15,000-33,000 V) across the crude oil layer. This field causes dipole polarisation and electrophoresis, forcing water droplets to migrate, collide, and coalesce into larger droplets that settle rapidly under gravity.
The Integrated Process Sequence
Performance Targets
- BS&W (Inlet) 1-10%
- BS&W (Outlet)
- Salt (Inlet) 20-200 PTB
- Salt (Outlet)
- Droplet Size 10-100μm → >200μm
- Inlet Temp 60-120°C
The Integration Advantage
When procured separately, the desalter guarantee depends on separator and heater performance -- leaving interface risks to the EPC.
LINSON OIL designs the complete sequence as a single engineering system. Our performance guarantee covers the integrated module output, not just individual stages.
Engineering Specifications
Detailed technical parameters for standard integrated modules.
| Parameter | Standard Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Crude Oil Throughput | 500 - 50,000+ m³/d | Multiple vessels in parallel for larger throughputs |
| Inlet Crude BS&W | Up to 40% | Higher requires upstream bulk separation |
| Outlet Crude BS&W | ≤ 0.2-0.5% | Per client export or pipeline specification |
| Outlet Salt Content | ≤ 3-10 PTB | Per refinery or pipeline specification |
| Desalter Type | Single-stage / Two-stage | Two-stage for salt < 3 PTB |
| Operating Voltage | 15,000 - 33,000 V | AC / DC / Combined per crude properties |
| Transformer/Rectifier | Auto voltage control | T-class safe area or Ex-rated hazardous area |
| Design Pressure | 0.4 - 4.0 MPa (g) | Per crude oil operating pressure |
| Design Code -- Vessels | GB 150 / ASME VIII Div.1 | ASME U-stamp for export |
| High-Voltage Safety | Interlocked isolation | Per IEC 61936 high-voltage installations |
| FAT | Full system firing test | Voltage ramp test; level control; interlocks |
Standard Supply & Customization Options
Standard Module Supply
Process Design
- Crude characterisation & performance prediction
- Process simulation (heating, sizing, wash water)
- P&ID development for integrated module
- Performance guarantee basis (BS&W and salt)
Mechanical Supply
- Bulk three-phase separator & Heating stage
- Electrostatic desalter vessel with internal grids
- High-voltage T/R unit with auto control
- Inter-stage pipe spools (GC2 / ASME B31.3)
- Wash water injection system & Instruments
Control & Integration
- PLC with HMI touchscreen & SCADA outputs
- High-voltage safety interlocks
- Common structural skid frame
- Full FAT (high-voltage, level, safety)
OEM / ODM Options
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Two-stage / DC Field: For salt < 3 PTB, tight emulsions, or heavy crude.
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Offshore Optimisation: Compact multi-stage vessel design for FPSO weight budgets.
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Heat & Water Integration: Crude-to-crude heat exchangers; integrated produced water treatment.
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Chemical Injection & Sampling: Integrated dosing, auto sampling, online BS&W analyser.
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Certifications: ASME U-stamp, DNV/BV/ABS, ATEX/IECEx (Zone 1/2).
First-of-Its-Kind. Certified.
Delivering export-grade crude to international standards.
CNOOC Wushi Oilfield -- Onshore Terminal
Integrated crude oil dehydration, stabilisation, LNG liquefaction, LPG recovery, and mercury removal system for the onshore terminal processing production from offshore Wushi oilfield wells. This demonstrates LINSON OIL's integrated crude oil processing capability at scale.
Key Certifications
Congo (Brazzaville) -- Jiarou Oilfield
Integrated associated gas and crude handling system. Included crude oil conditioning and dehydration stages alongside gas recovery. Cross-border delivery and field commissioning support fully managed by LINSON OIL.
Industry-Leading Warranty
Standard: 2 years from commissioning (vs. industry 1 year). Long-term partners: up to 2.5 years. Covers system performance, not just component integrity, verified by our rigorous FAT process before shipment.
Crude Assay. Throughput. Export Spec.
Integrated module design begins with your crude oil characterisation. Send us your parameters, and our process engineering team will assess the required process sequence, preliminary sizing, and performance guarantee basis.
Free Engineering Resource
Submit your assay and specification to receive:
- Preliminary process route assessment
- Performance feasibility confirmation
- Relevant project reference match
Response typically within 1-2 business days.
LINSON OIL -- 2025 First-of-its-Kind: CNOOC Wushi Dehydration System | A2 + GC2 + High-Voltage System Integration | ASME U-stamp | Classification Society Certification Available