Efficient Slop Oil Treatment
Where Slop Oil Arises
Slop oil is the mixed oil, water and solids collected across production, storage and maintenance. It is not waste in itself: the hydrocarbon fraction has value once it is separated cleanly, and the remaining water and solids become far cheaper to handle when the oil is out of them.
| Source | Typical content |
|---|---|
| Tank drainage and dewatering | Oil with free water and light settled solids |
| Vessel and pipeline cleaning | Oil, wash water, scale and corrosion products |
| Interceptor and separator skimmings | Oil, water and fine silt |
| Process upsets and slop tanks | Highly variable oil to water ratio |
Separation into three phases
A decanter or separator resolves the mixture into three streams in one operation, using the density difference between oil, water and solids under centrifugal force.
| Output stream | Route |
|---|---|
| Recovered oil | Returned to process or sold, once free of water and solids |
| Separated water | Passed to water treatment, see contaminated water treatment |
| Separated solids | Dewatered for approved disposal, reducing the volume shipped |
Scope of Supply
Separators and decanters resolve water, solids and oil in a single pass, so the recoverable hydrocarbon is taken out rather than shipped away as waste.
The equipment is selected against the oil to water ratio, the solids loading and the target quality of the recovered oil, rather than fitted from a standard package.
Rental units are sized to the project, from short campaigns to extended operations, and are skid mounted for transport and quick installation on site.
Each unit is handed over with an operation manual covering setup, running and shutdown. Operators can be supplied with the unit where site crew are not available.
Engineering FAQ
Is slop oil a waste stream?
No. The hydrocarbon fraction has value once it is separated cleanly, and the remaining water and solids become far cheaper to handle once the oil is out of them.
What does slop oil treatment produce?
Three streams in one operation, oil, water and solids, resolved by the density difference between them under centrifugal force.
Where does slop oil come from?
Tank drainage and dewatering, vessel and pipeline cleaning, interceptor and separator skimmings, and process upsets collected in slop tanks.
Talk to an Engineer
Send the composition of the slop, the volume held and the target quality for the recovered oil. We will return a configuration and a scope of supply. See also crude oil sludge treatment and slop water treatment.