HOW TO HANDLE HYDRATES

摘要

Nathan Wolford, C-Innovation, USA, explains the problems caused by hydrate deposition in offshore pipelines and describes methods for their successful remediation. Hydrates represent a pervasive flow assurance issue for the deepwater oil and gas industry. Formed when gas and water mix at low temperatures and high pressures, hydrates create a physical blockage, which prevents communication through the pipeline. Chemical remediation, involving pumping methanol or similar solvents into the pipeline to dissolve the blockage, has traditionally been the approach of choice in tackling a suspected hydrate in a pipeline. This can be costly and all too often, unsuccessful. Alternatively, C-Innovation provides pressure interventions for hydrate remediation, utilising a gas lift approach. Essentially, the pressure within the pipeline is reduced, which in turn allows the hydrate to melt. To date, this approach has been successful on five pipeline hydrate remediation projects.