Gun Barrel Oil, Gas, and Water Separator.

How an old style separator works.

[@robertgarren7684]

The person that came up with that style of separator probably never stepped in to a school room. Good stuff tks

[@TheZachLife]

I agree.

[@billmoran3812]

Excellent explanation! That is an amazingly well designed separator. So many mechanical devices built in the first half of the 20th century were brilliantly simple. Engineers back then didn’t have complicated control systems to work with, so they used basic principles of physics to get the job done.

[@wesleysellnersellner3706]

The water pipe is a weir. They are used to maintain separator levels. Good video! I’m a facility engineer and have designed my share of these guys. This same technology is used today even in modern designs.

[@ccserfas4629]

We have an area here in SoCal named Weir Canyon...

[@AndrewScott83815]

I've said it once and Ill say it again, this has got to be my new favorite channel. so interesting! keep up the killer content! Hello from Coeur d A'lene Idaho!

[@TheZachLife]

Thanks. Thats the plan.

[@chrism4008]

I agree, I want some old oil leases now! 🤣🤣

[@catslivesmatter1268]

@@TheZachLife My brother in law works for NASA and I couldn't understand anything he would explain about this and yet I totally understand what you just said! Thank you for your explanation of the operation,in all fairness I think he's way to smart to say it on layman terms like a good ol American can! I want to buy one of your shirts though

[@Dr_Kenneth_Noisewater]

My great grandfather was geological engineer back in the 1920s, 30s and 40s in southern Oklahoma. During the "dust bowl" days and Great Depression, many landowners chose to sell their mineral rights (referred to as "severing" the mineral rights from the surface rights). They had no money to drill and their crops were failing and they were facing financial ruin at best (think Grapes of Wrath) and starvation at worst (OK also Grapes of Wrath). So selling something they'd never be able to develop on their own AND getting the chance to make some money on surface damages if a well were ever drilled probably seemed like a no brainer to them. well 90 to 100 years later, those small mineral leases he bought have gotten drilled, then unitized into waterfloods, and now are receiving new life with shale drilling. They put my grandfather through BS, MS and PhD petroleum engineering school at OU and paid for some of my own BS in petroleum engineering at Texas Tech. Plus they have helped my grandfather and grandmother in their retirement. And they will stay in our family.

[@Jejh4lom]

I probably Frac'd some of those wells lol

[@Dr_Kenneth_Noisewater]

@@Jejh4lom you spelled it right. 💪🏽

[@Jejh4lom]

@@Dr_Kenneth_Noisewater yessir I miss it but its tough starting a family and being on the road

[@concernedcitizen6536]

Thanks Zach. From a guy who was born in Shawnee, OK, and whose father's occupation on his birth certificate is "Roughneck" it's much appreciated. After the oil fields he went on the serve and retire from the US Army, and I as well it's good to know and understand some of the science behind the work he did other than on the oil rigs.

[@engineeringgarage5113]

Just purchased land with an active oil lease. It has one of these styles of separators. I cant tell you how long I have had to scour the Internet to find some kind of decent information on how these things were plumbed. It wasn’t until I came across your videos that I was able to figure it out. Thank you!

[@StevenYoungcaptual]

Having been an Airline Captain for 30 years, I love mechanical stuff. I’ve always wanted to understand how oil wells and their associated components work. Your videos just captivated me and are wonderful! You’re a great narrator and teacher, making it truly enjoyable to watch. Thank you …from a guy who has burned one hell of a lot of gas👍😀

[@drive42]

All our wells in northwest Kansas have gun barrels and I have always wondered how they worked. THANK YOU for your explanation and the drawing. I now understand how a gun barrel works.

[@TheZachLife]

Awesome.

[@TishaHayes]

Out of university (electrical engineering degree but I worked for an oil company) I designed some of the electronics control devices for things like oil/water separators, CO2 injection wells, wellheads, pipelines and delivery manifolds. I would do training classes for our techs and we would get deep in the weeds with specific gravity calculations for brine, certain types of product and the mixes of gases that came off of wells. You could get really detailed if you had a set of glass hydrometers for specific gravity and to be able to gauge a tank with a sight glass or the 'pressure tape' gaugers that ran up the column on the side of the tank (where the fluid compressed this flat tape that was just a very long resistor and the changes in resistance indicated at what level the tape was at). It was great fun and always challenging because I could go in the field and work with techs to put things in to practice, then bring back practical knowledge and apply it to the next revisions of what we designed and made. I may not of always agreed with what the field techs did (or the dangers they took) but I always listened to what they had to say. Later I was working on prover loops for doing runs on each batch, nuclear density gauges, four wire temperature, motor efficiency curves based upon temperature rise of product, pressures, flow rates and differential pressures. I managed to avoid the management-trap that many engineers fell for. I took six years of friggen calculus and I was not about to dumb myself down to become a deskbound manager! I wanted to keep my FRC, hardhat, hearing protection, safety glasses, boots and my tool bag. (one of the scariest was watching one guy loop a chunk of yellow nylon rope through his belt loops as a 'harness' because he was going to freehand climb up the ladder on an 80' tank during a thunderstorm.)

[@demartin5366]

Awsome video of the gun barrel separator, Zach. These are the kind we have here in the Illinois Basin, especially here in Posey County, IN where I live. In fact there is a gun barrel separator right down the road from me. I am going over to White County, IL to check on a lease just like this over the weekend. Your explanation and angle of perspective is fantastic! I love watching you demonstrate it, especially with the visuals. Many people don't realize the inside workings of these separators. You do an excellent job. Keep up the great work!!

[@TheZachLife]

Thanks.

[@zulucharlie5244]

I can see someone watching this video 100 years from now as they reconstruct the history of oil and gas engineering in 20th Century West Texas. Really interesting content.

[@erbenton07]

Very cool! People back then were geniuses!

[@MrEric_API]

That's radically cool, to have an old gun barrel that has an original nameplate!! I love to see the equipment, specially the old or O.G. stuff..

[@axzell2]

genius design with the separator. always self adjusting itself.

[@misifustres]

While in my youth, I had experience in the drilling end of the oil patch, your insights into the production side of things is very interesting.

[@fsj197811]

In a lot of ways the old days really were better. Thanks for sharing!

[@woodhonky3890]

True. And, that thing is still around!

[@themarksmn4181]

I run a saltwater disposal well,for a company, in Oklahoma. I just happened on this channel, and I'm seeing all sorts of "new" to me info. Thanks for having such an awesome channel.

[@robertsutton3001]

Bro as a Texan with ties to west Texas for many generations. I am stoked to see you doing your thing! I did flowback for 4 years and now I’m in real estate and lending and investment properties. I do miss being in the field though.

[@mikehamilton3833]

Really cool design and great explanations of the process. Love the history and then original land owner became a rich man.

[@adonis0red]

Thanks for the enjoyable and informative Videos..

[@MrWoodshoes]

Your vast knowledge of subjects that aren't necessarily related continues to amaze me!

[@charlesward8196]

Excellent description of a gun-barrel separator. Oil weighs around 6 lbs/gallon and water weighs about 8 lbs/gallon which accounts for the different level between the oil level and water level overflow.

[@TheZachLife]

Thanks.

[@jonasstahl9826]

That makes the calculation of the height from the overflow pipe pretty easy. Lets say the oil/water layer should be in the middle of the seperator. Means 50% oil and 50% water they have a mixed weight of 7lbs/gallon. How much more 7lbs/gallon liquid do you need to push up a 8lbs/gallon liquid aka water is 7/8 At an 8 feet heigh seperator the overflowpipe needs to be 7 feet high.

[@desertriderukverun1002]

Thanks for the description, I’m used to horizontal three phase separators. I have seen quite a few of these abandoned in Saudi Arabia in the Ghawar field. Now I know what they are, I’d figured they were from the initial development of the field

[@coloredcoat]

Your diagram makes it all seem understandable. The less dense oil will raise the more dense water to a lower level. Good job!

[@nrehberg]

It’s really cool to learn about the financial history of your land

[@adriaanboogaard8571]

Great stuff. You definitely got the gears in my head turning. It work for a large water district in Utah different products but wells and pumps are our in common deal. It we came up decades ago so low tech but some of the best things are. We need to find a way to get natural gas out of water wells before in comes out of the kitchen sink. Maybe some body can find new Ideas from the great old stuff in your video 😁👍

[@pattyeverett2826]

Good video. You mentioned horses. I have a receipt from an oil company where they paid my grandfather was paid for grading a site with his horse team! As to metal lines, there are a bunch of these that have been abandoned over time on the old farm. We have the deed that dates to 1894 and there is all kinds of right of ways mentioned.

[@nitrometh42]

Great explanation on the gun barrel. Lots of poly pipe in your field. I worked as a pumper and salt water hauler for awhile, PVC piping was still the norm, even on new wells.

[@Lagaholic]

I'm a operator in ND, seeing all this old equipment is really cool.. I would almost prefer all these old sites over my new fancy computerized sites.

[@jacobmurphy2721]

If u like that check the history of smackover Arkansas

[@JustinDelp]

We have mostly gun barrel separators and I always wondered how they looked and worked on the inside. Very simple. Thanks!!

[@Andrezzz2u]

Thanks Zach for sharing your life experiences with how oil wells operate. Great content and glad I found your channel.

[@TheZachLife]

Thank. Enjoy.

[@adriaanboogaard8571]

I don't think we have that problem in Utah but I've heard of it in other states. Thanks for the cool video

[@adriantomlin2902]

Awesome explanation and visual on how intricate a separator works. I

[@chasl2216]

Great video, I understand & really enjoyed it

[@ZakRadu398]

Love this channel, found it yesterday. Ive always been interested in the operation of these cool machines from growing up/living in Oil city pa

[@TheZachLife]

Welcome aboard!

[@Julian.Heinrich]

Fascinating info! Please continue all the oilfield series

[@TheZachLife]

Thats the plan.

[@ToyotatechDK]

What’s up Lord Pembleton 😂. Cool shirt Zack

[@mikewoodford9003]

Great explanation and computer graphic. I've seen these units from the highway driving into MT. My dad raves about them, but I never got a good explanation of their process. Looks like a guy could make a really nice one out of a 35'x15' 1000bbl tank, with a built in heat exchanger and 1mmBtu fire tube.

[@dontuno]

Fascinating stuff and really enjoyed that vid.

[@shamusa943]

Fascinating history to learn and see. Your understanding of this oil history and modern day involvement to keep it running is fascinating. You are truly one of the masters of the small businessman in the oil fields. And I add that you did a beautiful explanation of the theory and workings of the separation process.

[@justinscott3001]

Really great info, thanks for the history lesson!

[@Wingnut_Stickman]

Very good and simple explanation. I guess it helps to know Pascal's Law. Looking forward to see more of these. Thanks for sharing.

[@TheZachLife]

Thanks

[@nealc.6927]

What a thoroughly interesting job you have . . .

[@Oldscudrunner]

Your explanation makes sense to me. Good video.

[@kathleenmaheu1837]

Great explanation for oil & gas newbie! thanks very much, Zach!

[@TheZachLife]

Thanks.

[@Honda-wing5811]

Thank you for going into detail and showing us how this works it's very interesting.

[@TheZachLife]

Thanks. Hope you enjoyed.

[@hydrodyne5147]

if you ever need a real world visual aid to demonstrate how much higher the fluid level inside the separator needs to be to push the salt water over the break point of the water leg using a clear kids cup with the straw made on to the side works great for showing this, fill the cup with water and then add oil and watch the magic happen

[@arlynsmith9196]

I sure do learn a lot from you. Thank you!

[@NoName-hs4ov]

As a petroleum engineer, I really like these videos. I subbed. Thanks

[@TheZachLife]

Thanks for coming along.

[@rharris22222]

Good explanation. Thanks!

[@TheZachLife]

Thanks

[@jim9337]

Watching your vids is like I was still in the patch, but I don't need any GoJo for my hands at the end of the day. Also the seat covers in my truck truck don't stink all the time. I get to go to the lease with you, and still be retired. I think this will work just fine. Thanks.

[@frozenjoe6313]

Very clever.. old stuff is great..........

[@dannywilsher4165]

Another well done video Zack!

[@chrism4008]

God damn, that's genius!!

[@jayham1970]

That gravity separator concept looks like it should still be in use…but instead with an injection well instead of an evaporation pond. With the gas separator, it looks like you could have a few extra nickels, dimes, and quarters flowing into the bank account.

[@ahmeds7345]

Great vid, Salut from Baghdad

[@TheZachLife]

Awesome, Thanks.

[@ccserfas4629]

I like the stories from the ol' days. Helps me relax when I don't see a containment berm....

[@michaeltabors2193]

Awesome videos!!

[@stovebolt448]

Thanks for another video Zach.

[@TheZachLife]

Thank you.

[@broglet2003]

A truly interesting video. I had very little idea about any of this stuff. Presented in an easy to understand and friendly manner. Thanks

[@TheZachLife]

Thanks

[@Mike-01234]

What I find coolest part about this is was invented over 100 years ago before electric power was really wide spread everything had to be done without power. All these wells were powered by engines that ran off the gas from the well.

[@TheZachLife]

I agree 1000%. The engineering was absolutely genius.

[@kc033056]

👍 great job your explanation was very good and easy to follow. Kc

[@jamestregler1584]

Thanks from Louisiana 😎

[@craigsymington5401]

Fascinated

[@bladder1010]

That was quite interesting. Very good explanation. Hi from Alberta 👍

[@TheZachLife]

Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@wazza33racer]

We have place like that in Australia called Eromanga..........oil comes to the ground that runs straight in diesels.

[@bobvincent4841]

Excellent explanation of the oil and water levels and how the water leg governs where the interface is. Really like the videos.

[@TheZachLife]

Thanks.

[@williambryce8527]

Outstanding content!

[@TheZachLife]

Thanks.

[@labandonaldhock80]

Great job with your explanation

[@TheZachLife]

Thanks.

[@willys4882]

Thanks. I learned something new.

[@ronaldmarty8125]

Dang this is actually rlly interesting and cool

[@xSammyGx]

Awesome content. Subscribed!

[@TheZachLife]

Welcome aboard!

[@cajun3197]

Awesome explanation

[@derrick_builds]

Need to have Grady with Smarter every day to come build you a Gun Barrell Separator out of plexi. Awesome video man.

[@TheZachLife]

That would be cool.

[@1mosesg]

Great information, thanks

[@joelmurphy7980]

Early 3364 Gaso pumps. You have my profound sympathies sir.

[@TheZachLife]

Hahaha

[@Tyrell.Walker]

Excellent content

[@calebhefner6760]

Two questions 1, is this the same concept as an up right heater treater that I grew up with without the burner? 2. Do you keep it functional in case one of those knockouts goes down. My problem is, everythime we treat and flush 2 wells are knockouts go down from too much trash. And yes we bail lol 😆 So I like how you can move that header that was smart incase you have a 1 or 2 day cleaning/ repair job. Edit It clicked lol 11:33 That's why dad always had me check with a clear cup of how MUCH water was going in the tank. But also watch how dark the water was going in the fiberglass. I know to pull bottoms and check the gravity on the slips. But I had a couple brain injuries since he YELLED into my head, and now I'm back at 29 trying to make sense of it all again. You're a good teacher sir, especially for us small business workers. #savethestrippers

[@TheZachLife]

All the heater treaters ive seen use a float and valve system. This thing was used up until I was a kid and it got a hole in it.

[@adriantomlin2902]

Wow! 2000 bbls per day?! Damn! I wonder how much water?! Who cares! Lol! That's one kickass well now! 😎👍

[@fredtjack23]

Thanks something I didn't know now I can explain it to others better yet send them a link.

[@chadoliver9877]

Nice! 🇺🇸👍🙂

[@saintsi6997]

like it!

[@davidk.7264]

Hi from Illinois, there is is a lot of oil wells in IL, thanks

[@PukinBigBird]

I have heard this called a west Texas water leg.

[@peterlehmann2760]

Morning! I’m setting up a new gun barrel tank on a lease south of Austin, Texas. Could you help me determine at what height my water leg outlet needs to be in relation to the oil outlet that goes to the sales tank? Thanks, your videos are great!

[@billsmith5166]

Using the density of water and oil to determine the height of the water outlet pipe is sheer genius. I'll be the guy that though of that didn't sleep for a week. I wonder what the neighbors paid for the propane or whatever gas was piped to their houses. I remember seeing that there was a school that blew up probably in the thirties because the free gas they were getting filled the basement and it didn't have the rotten egg smell added and no one could smell it,

[@TheZachLife]

It was usually just given away. Unfortunately I don't think that was an uncommon assurance.

[@TheWittyGeek]

I wonder if that separator is worth more than regular scrap prices as low-background steel.

[@nmopzzz]

Very interesting. What happens to the water and the gas now?

[@victoryfirst2878]

What you described Zach is exactly what we were taught in Chemistry class years ago. Nicely done fella. What I am wondering is how much did it cost you to deal with the spilled salt water on the property ???

[@derrick_builds]

Probably cost nothing. You just toss some dirt on it and keep going.

[@victoryfirst2878]

@@derrick_builds Got it Derrick.

[@Ray2001ify]

Would love to work on this

[@Lucky4wd4840]

Enjoy the old oil patch. I retired from Anadarko Petroleum in 2017 working on Automation install in the Austin Chalk field in the Bryan, TX. area. I started in the oil patch in 1981 working foe Winsor Energy in Giddings, TX. Where are you located in TX.?

[@TheZachLife]

We are north central Texas

[@cghaley753]

This separator gravity fed is really neat never seen one like it but there comes a question are you able to capture the gas from the wells and recycling it?

[@TheZachLife]

Thanks. The formation I'm producing here produces almost zero gas. It's never a measurable quantity.

[@jacobmurphy2721]

The gas we make where I'm from in smackover Arkansas u can run in your vehicle casing head what we call it I run a 77 Frank's explorer 2 work over rig here

[@cocopublicnews6766]

In west Texas those are called batteries

[@jim9337]

Do you have gathering systems for your solution gas, or is it fared off? In Canada we have had to gather, compress, and process the gas to sales for a long time already. When I broke out in the 70s, we got away with a lot, now the Board is on you every step of the way. In most cases it was a good thing, but folks have no idea how much it costs to recover a BBL of oil. Anyway, love your vids. Thanks.

[@TheZachLife]

The formation we produce around here make virtually no gas at all.

[@lightingnut]

Ran across your channel by accident. Always been interested in oil wells both in the drilling and the pumping. So my question is a 2 part question. How well do the old Gun Barrel separators vs the newer style separators work in regards to separating? Not sure if you have a video of it yet but when the company comes out to drain the oil tanks. Do they separate the oil again at before paying the leases and is the oil good enough to ship off to be refined without a 2nd separation? So I guess I would like to know what the next step in the process is after the tank truck shows up to drain the storage tanks in the field.

[@TheZachLife]

I think they were probably about the same. When they pickup the oil they test it (known as a grind out) for water. They will pickup oil thats up to 1% water but its typically in the 0.1%-0.3% range. They will simply deduct the calculated amount of water from the total volume for the actually amount of purchased oil. At that point it's theirs and it goes to whoever wants to pay them for it.

[@lightingnut]

@@TheZachLife Thanks for the info. That is amazing that a simple non electric system can do so well separating the water, gas and oil.

[@BobSmith1980.]

My wife has that same shirt 🤣

[@TheZachLife]

Haha.

[@centexan]

Low tech rocks!

[@silverdrillpickle7596]

Pheasant shirts rule

[@KL-yt8hz]

do it still work? and i love tis channal

[@TheZachLife]

No corrosion got it via a hole in the bottom about 20 or so years ago.