Most other production equipment is located at a centralized production 

 facility. This includes freewater knockout tanks, freewater skimmers, produc- 

 tion and test separators, heater-treaters, stock tanks, chemical tanks, fil- 

 ters, pumps, compressors, burning pits, and saltwater-disposal storage tanks. 

 The steps in placing these devices are similar in both upland and diked marsh 

 locations. 



Draglines, tractor-mounted backhoes, small dozers, and trucks enter the 

 site. Vehicles can use the previously built roads without need for repair 

 since they are not as large and heavy as those that carry parts of the drilling 

 rig. 



Production equipment is usually permanently mounted, particularly in areas 

 prone to hurricane-force winds. Therefore, foundations are dug so that concrete 

 slabs can be laid. To provide for a convenient working surface, the area may 

 be slightly graded and leveled and more shell or gravel may be brought in for 

 surfacing. In particularly wet soils, pilings may be driven to form a stable 

 base for the concrete foundation. Cement trucks enter the site and pour the 

 slab after the steelwork has been set. 



When the slab has cured, the prefabricated production equipment is trucked 

 in and unloaded. The structures are erected and fastened securely to the slab. 

 At many sites, small retaining walls are placed around stock tanks, treaters, 

 and skimmers so that any small spill may be contained. Usually these small 

 levees are earthen (though they may be concrete), constructed when the slab is 

 poured. Some states have specific requirements for these retaining walls, 

 particularly in inhabited areas. 



Brine facilities may be constructed at the centralized production site. 

 In the past, brine pits were dug into the ground and lined if soil conditions 

 were limiting. Some states do not allow brine pits for evaporation and disposal 

 of salt water. Instead, injection wells and disposal into marine waters are 

 allowed if the water does not contain hydrocarbons. Impervious collecting pits 

 for brine are allowed, though, and many producers are now using covered steel 

 tanks for holding brine. Burning pits, to allow disposal of petroleum residues 

 that collect in tank bottoms, are also constructed at the production site. 

 However, state or local air control regulations may dictate whether burning is 

 permitted. 



During construction of the production facilities, connecting lines, pumps, 

 and valves are placed between the pieces of production equipment. The connect- 

 ing lines are generally buried at the original production site. However, in 

 later additions, the connecting flowlines may be elevated. Finally, gathering 

 lines and gas lines are connected to the tank battery and separation equipment. 



103 



