Ultra deepwater increases flow assurance challenges

摘要

Over the past ten years, flow assurance has become a critical concern for deepwater project developments. While oilfield chemicals have been in use since the early 20th century, in areas ranging from the US to Azerbaijan, Venezuela, and In-donesia, the onset of deepwater exploration and production has changed the nature of oilfield production chemical applications. Previously, oilfield production chemical applications were primarily onshore or in shallow water offshore. Oilfield chemicals were used to treat generally mild conditions and were not required to withstand high-temperature/high-pressure (HT/HP) environments. Now, deepwater operations are changing the game of oilfield production chemicals, requiring significant innovation, as well as modifications to the existing technology, to be effective. Traditional "onshore" chemistries are not viable under the substantially higher pressures and wellhead and seabed temperatures that range from 275° F to 35° E Additionally, injecting chemicals into umbilicals over 25 mi requires a rigorous chemical approach to ensure flow.