Theory of Crude Stabilization

The hydrocarbon fluid produced from wells normally flows to a separator for removal of the hydrocarbon gas. The hydrocarbon liquid or crude oil outflow from the separator will then go through additional 

The method selected for crude stabilization depends upon a number of factors, principally economics and sales specifications. A crude oil stabilizer will almost always result in increased liquid recovery, but the capital investment and operating costs are correspondingly higher. Some factors that favor the installation of a crude stabilizer are  

To imderstand and evaluate methods of crude stabilization, one must be familiar with phase equilibrium. Almost every operation in the production of hydrocarbons involves some form of equilibrium between the vapor and liquid phases of multi-component hydrocarbon systems. The distribution of individual components between phases has heen correlated in terms of equilibrium ratios, or K values, which are functions of the temperature, pressure, and composition of the system. 

The equilibrium relationships apply only at pressure and temperature combinations in the two-phase region, or the area between the 

FIGURE 2.1. Phase diagram for a multi-component hydrocarbon system. 

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