Crude oil desalting technology is used to remove residual salts from crude oil so that it
can be processed in a refinery without corroding and fouling heaters, exchangers, and
other equipment. Crude oil desalting is usually the initial process that is carried out during
upstream operations. The type and size specification of the desalter is dependent on a
few fundamental parameters such as temperature, pressure, fluid viscosity, and flow-rate,
and customer specification pertaining to permissible salt in the final product.
Dehydrating of crude oil is generally carried out at production stage to remove excess
water from crude oil. Electrostatic dehydrators of combined AC-DC configuration are the
most effective and are suitable for all grades of crude oil.
The continual emergence of new petroleum refineries and production units with in-house
crude oil desalting and dehydrating facilities is boosting the growth of the global crude oil
desalter and electrostatic dehydrator market. In several regions of the world such as the
Middle East and Africa and Asia Pacific, plans to develop new refineries or expand the
capacity of existing refineries will favor the growth of this market. For instance, countries
such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE have recently constructed large crude oil refineries
and have plans to expand the capacities of existing ones. The rising prominence of fluid
catalytic cracking units is also driving the growth of crude oil desalters market.
Nevertheless, factors such as the declining imports of refined petroleum products from
Europe are hampering the growth of the crude oil desalter and electrostatic dehydrator
market.
The global crude oil desalter and electrostatic desalter market is expected to reach a
valuation of US$190.61 mn by 2023 increasing from US$170.54 mn in 2014 at a CAGR
of 2.40% from 2015 to 2023.
The Middle East and Africa to Exhibit Sustained Growth
Amongst the regional segments, the Middle East and Africa held the largest share of more
than 35% in the global market in 2014. Asia Pacific stood as the second-largest market
in the same year followed by North America. These regions were followed by Europe and
Latin America respectively in terms of market share in the global market in 2014.
Demand for Two Stage Desalter to Remain Strong
Two stage crude oil desalter stood as the dominant type segment accounting for a share
of more than 50% of the global crude oil desalter market in 2014. Increasing demand for
two stage crude oil desalter is attributed to the increasing use of heavy petroleum in
refineries across the world. Moreover, two stage desalters are highly efficient that remove
95%-98% of salts from crude oil. Comprising two Coalescers ,a two stage desalter is
preferred to attain excess water dilution or to attain the desired concentration of the
desired salt.
The type segment of AC field electrostatic dehydrator held a share of over 50% in the
global crude oil electrostatic dehydrator market in 2014. AC field electrostatic dehydrators
are extensively used and give best results with heavy crude oil.
Some of the leading companies in the global crude oil desalter and electrostatic
dehydrator market are Agar Corporation Ltd., Canadian Petroleum Processing
Equipment Inc., Custom Process equipment LLC, Engineering Technology & Innovation
LLC, Forum Energy Technologies Inc., GasTech Engineering Corporation, Mackenzie
Hydrocarbons Pvt Ltd., PROSERNAT S.A., VME Process Inc., Cameron International
Corporation, Croda International Plc., EN-FAB Inc., Fjords Processing AS, Frames
Group, Komax systems Inc., Petro Techna International Ltd., and SUEZ Environment Oil
& Gas Systems.