Central processing facility, direct contact steam generation optimization

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure can include a system. The system can include a hydrocarbon production site. The system can include a direct contact steam generator (DCSG) system. The DCSG system can be configured to generate steam and supply the steam to an unconventional oil recovery process. The DCSG system can reside in close proximity to the hydrocarbon production site. The DCSG can include a DCSG boiler to which feedwater is provided, the feedwater being treated and supplied to the DCSG system from a remote central processing facility (CPF).

1 . A system, comprising:
 a hydrocarbon production site; and   a direct contact steam generator (DCSG) system, wherein:
 the DCSG system is configured to generate steam and supply the steam to an unconventional oil recovery process; 
 the DCSG system resides in close proximity to the hydrocarbon production site; and 
 the DCSG system includes a DCSG boiler to which feedwater is provided, the feedwater being treated and supplied to the DCSG system from a remote central processing facility (CPF). 
   
     
     
         2 . A system, comprising:
 a hydrocarbon production site; and   a direct contact steam generator (DCSG) system, wherein:
 the DCSG system is configured to generate steam and supply the steam to an unconventional oil recovery process; 
 the DCSG system resides in close proximity to the hydrocarbon production site; and 
 the DCSG system includes a DCSG boiler to which feedwater is provided, the feedwater being treated and supplied to the DCSG system at a location proximate to a location of the hydrocarbon production site. 
   
     
     
         3 . A system, comprising:
 a hydrocarbon production site; and   a direct contact steam generator (DCSG) system, wherein:
 the DCSG system is configured to generate steam and supply the steam to an unconventional oil recovery process; 
 the DCSG system resides in close proximity to the hydrocarbon production site; and 
 the DCGS system includes a DCSG boiler to which feedwater is provided, the feedwater being treated and supplied to the DCSG system at a location in close proximity to a location of the hydrocarbon production site, wherein the feedwater is not treated or supplied via a central processing facility (CPF). 
   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the CPF is configured to service a quantity of wells and pads owned by more than one producer or single operating entity. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the CPF is not operated by a producer but instead is operated by a group selling the CPF services to a producer or multiple producers. 
     
     
         6 . The system as in any one of  claim 1 - 3 , wherein at least a portion of the DCSG boiler feedwater is taken from a free water knockout. 
     
     
         7 . The system as in any one of  claim 1 - 3 , wherein at least a portion of the DCSG boiler feedwater is taken from a skim tank disposed downstream of a free water knockout. 
     
     
         8 . The system as in any one of  claims 1 - 7 , wherein the DCSG boiler feedwater includes produced water and dirty makeup water. 
     
     
         9 . The system as in any one of  claims 1 - 7 , wherein the DCSG boiler feedwater includes produced water, dirty makeup water, and bitumen mining process pond water. 
     
     
         10 . The system as in any one of  claims 1 - 9 , wherein the hydrocarbon production site includes at least one of a well, a pad, and a series of pads. 
     
     
         11 . The system as in any one of  claims 1 - 10 , wherein the DCSG system is located a particular distance from the hydrocarbon production site, wherein the distance is in a range from zero to two miles. 
     
     
         12 . The system as in any one of  claims 1  and  2 , wherein:
 the system includes a remote central processing facility (CPF); and 
 the CPF is configured to service a quantity of wells and pads owned by more than one producer or single operating entity. 
 
     
     
         13 . The system as in any one of  claims 1  and  2 , wherein:
 the system includes a remote central processing facility (CPF); and 
 the CPF is not operated by a producer but instead is operated by a group selling the CPF services to a producer or multiple producers.