Deepwater flow assurance best practice: Keeping the network moving

摘要

Modern simulation technology informs important network decisions, but other factors, such as fluid composition and interaction, hydrates, scaling, corrosion, sand, gel, emulsion, foaming, and wax and asphaltene deposition, also must be understood. The benefits of digital flow assurance simulation are illustrated by a deepwater well restart benchmark and optimization study in the Gulf of Mexico. The classic exploration, appraisal, and development stages of the E&P lifecycle all build toward one thing-sustained hydrocarbon production for as long as possible. Significant efforts are made to extend the life of productive wells to achieve this. In the same vein, operators must pay attention to maintaining the constant flow of hydrocarbon fluids from pore space to processing plant and, ultimately, on to the balance sheet.