The invention includes a method for dewatering and/or desalting a water-in-oil
emulsion comprising introducing a plurality of streams of the emulsion into the
electrostatic field under opposed flow whereby the water coalescence is enhanced.
The invention also includes an improved electrostatic apparatus for dewatering
and/or desalting a water-in-oil emulsion comprising a plurality of horizontally
directed nozzles positioned to introduce a plurality of streams of the emulsion
into the electrostatic field under opposed flow conditions.