Multiphase separation system

A method for separation of oil and water and oil/water emulsion within a multiphase fluid, comprising:

• flowing a multiphase fluid into a distribution inlet of a multiphase separation system;
• separating the multiphase fluid into an oil phase, a water phase, and an oil/water emulsion;
• separating the oil phase into a line that is in a plane vertically above the plane of the distribution inlet;
• separating the water phase into a line that is in a plane vertically below the plane of the distribution inlet;
• separating the oil/water emulsion into a line that is in a plane vertically above the plane of the line with the water phase and vertically below the plane of the line with the oil phase;
• flowing each line into a vertically oriented control volume, wherein the flow rate from each line is controlled;
• detecting an oil level and a water level in each line,
• communicating with a controller to open and close control valves based on the oil and water level detected;
• and
• separating each phase by flowing the oil phase, the water phase, and the oil/water emulsion through a different outlet from the control volume.

A multiphase separation system, comprising:

• an inlet line configured to feed a multiphase fluid into side feed lines within the separation system, wherein the side feed lines consist of an upper line, a lower line, a middle line, or any combination thereof;
• the upper line configured to feed an oil side feed line into an oil section, and further configured to split the oil section into an oil/water emulsion section, wherein the oil section is in a plane located vertically above the oil/water emulsion section;
• the lower line configured to feed a water side feed line into a water section, wherein the water section is in a plane located vertically below the oil/water emulsion section;
• a control volume;
• and
• a control system.