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Oil & Gas: Midstream

Protecting Pipelines, Terminals, and Midstream Operations

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INDUSTRY INSIGHT

Midstream Operations: Protecting Pipelines and Terminals

Mercer delivers field-proven separation systems for spill containment, sump drainage, and transfer operations thus ensuring compliance, protecting assets, and preventing hydrocarbon discharge.

Pipeline and terminal facilities operate at the heart of the oil and gas transport network. The spot where hydrocarbon control is both a compliance mandate and a business imperative. Every pump station, loading rack, containment area, and sump must be ready to handle accidental spills, stormwater runoff, or intermittent oily discharges without risking fines, downtime, or environmental damage.

Mercer International’s Compliance Master™ oil-water separators, powered by the Multi-Pack™ coalescer system, are designed specifically for these mission-critical midstream environments. Engineered to meet EPA SPCC and stormwater requirements, they provide enhanced gravity separation performance that replaces unreliable corrugated plate or undersized fiberglass tanks.

Compact, corrosion-resistant, and adaptable to tight site constraints, Mercer’s systems have become the standard for midstream operators who demand long-term reliability with minimal maintenance.

Large Mercer oil-water separator tank and equipment for industrial stormwater treatment and compliance.

OIL & gAS

Common Midstream Challenges

Platform with jib crane and processing equipment beside large storage tanks at an oil terminal

Tight Site Constraints

Pump and valve stations, terminals, and compressor sites often have limited footprints. Mercer’s compact above- or below-ground systems fit where conventional units cannot.

Gantry crane lowering a coalescer module into a separator between storage tanks

Intermittent & Surge Flows

Drainage and containment systems must handle both low-flow seepage and full-volume storm or spill events. Mercer designs accommodate variable flow without short-circuiting or oil carry-over.

White fiberglass oil water separator units piped together at a refinery

Regulatory Pressure & Environmental Liability

Facilities must meet federal SPCC and NPDES stormwater discharge limits, while mitigating cleanup and liability exposure from hydrocarbon release.

Tiered rectangular separator units outdoors beside brick industrial buildings

Corrosion & Longevity

Midstream systems see heavy exposure to weather, chemicals, and hydrocarbons. Mercer’s internally coated carbon steel and stainless options deliver decades of service life.

Mercer enhanced-gravity oil water separator interior, demonstrating automated solids removal and coalescer technology for energy facilities.

Daily Intervention

Manual skimming and solids removal eat up operator hours and introduce safety and compliance risks. Mercer systems eliminate these daily interventions through automated product recovery and solids management.

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MERCER ADVANTAGE

Mercer’s Solution

Mercer’s midstream separators combine engineered simplicity with advanced internal hydraulics.

Key Design Features:

Oil water separator shield icon representing compliance and hydrocarbon control for rail operations.

Full-Width Flow Baffles and Weirs

Maintain laminar flow and prevent turbulence during surge or storm events.

High-efficiency oil capture gauge illustrating Mercer separator performance for rail operations

Multi-Pack™ Coalescer System

Provides superior oil-water-solids separation without clogging. With no small pockets, no corrugated plates, so no fouling.

Rail separator protection and reliable performance for oily wastewater.

Automation-Ready Oil & Solids Management

Integrated controls automate skimming, solids evacuation, and valve cycling—reducing operator intervention in daily treatment processes and preventing buildup that derails throughput.

Automated oil and solids removal cycle for rail wastewater separation.

Compact Above- or Below-Grade Construction

Ideal for confined midstream installations, including valve pits and pump station sumps.

Shield icon representing operational safety and emissions control for Mercer oil-water separators.

Corrosion-Resistant Coatings

Extends lifecycle in harsh chemical or salt environments.

Icon depicting oily wastewater separation and rail industry compliance.

Optional Integrated Controls

Auto-close valves, leak detection, and level alarms for active spill response and SCADA integration.

Crane lowering a coalescing plate pack into a separator bay at a tank farm Blue modular separator with outlet fitting and hoses on a muddy well site Stainless steel separator tank filled with rows of inclined coalescing plate pack modules

APPLICATION AREAS

Typical Applications

Natural gas power generation facility with electrical equipment and Mercer oil-water separation system application.

Pipeline Pump and Compression Stations

Sump and containment drainage compliant with SPCC standards.

Gas turbine internals and coalescer modules for oil-water separation in natural gas power generation facilities.

Rail Tanker Transfer Sites

Capture oily washdown and accidental drips before they reach the environment.

Large storage tanks and piping illustrating hydrocarbon runoff control in fuel-handling areas.

Tank Terminals and Storage Farms

Manage stormwater and secondary containment drainage efficiently.

Cooling towers and piping illustrating oily water treatment in natural gas power generation facilities.

Marine and Barge Offloading

Treat transfer area runoff to prevent sheens and violations.

Sludge accumulation in separator tank illustrating solids removal challenges in natural gas plants.

Fuel and Chemical Loading Racks

Control discharge from washdowns and incidental spills with automated separators.

Featured Projects

Performance You Can Depend On

Navy blue oil water separator with inlet ports and oil drain valves

Oil Removal

Up to 99.9% of free and dispersed hydrocarbons

Skid-mounted stainless oil water separator in front of large storage tanks

Compliance

Meets EPA SPCC and stormwater discharge standards

Blue oil water separator with access stairs at an oil storage facility

Maintenance

Simplified access for inspection and cleanout with no confined-space concerns

Covered white separator inlet tanks with vent motors at an industrial plant

Longevity

Proven 25-plus-year lifespan with proper coating selection and maintenance intervals

Mercer oil-water separator system in natural gas power plant, managing turbine lube-oil drainage and washdown wastewater.

Safety

Optional containment valve automation for immediate isolation in spill conditions

Ready to Safeguard Your Midstream Operations?

Discuss your application with Mercer’s engineering team and explore the right Compliance Master™ configuration for your facility.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q.

Are Mercer separators compatible with existing containment systems?

A.

Yes. Mercer units are available in multiple configurations for retrofit into existing sumps, pits, or containment drains.

Q.

Can systems be installed in confined areas?

A.

Absolutely. Compact, skid-mounted, and below-grade options are designed specifically for constrained midstream sites.

Q.

How are these systems serviced or cleaned?

A.

The removable Multi-Pack™ assembly and wide manway access allow fast, safe maintenance without entering the tank.

Q.

Do you provide alarms or SCADA connectivity?

A.

Yes. Options include oil level alarms, auto-shut valves, and SCADA-ready monitoring packages.

Q.

How do I size a separator for intermittent or variable flows?

A.

Mercer’s engineering team models flow dynamics to ensure adequate residence time during surges and storm events.