How can you prevent hydrate formation in high-pressure reservoirs?

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Hydrate formation is a common challenge in high-pressure reservoirs, especially in deepwater and subsea environments. Hydrates are ice-like solids that form when water and natural gas molecules combine under low temperature and high pressure conditions. They can block pipelines, valves, and equipment, causing operational and safety issues. In this article, you will learn how to prevent hydrate formation in high-pressure reservoirs by applying different methods and strategies.

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Tega Efenure

Senior Production Chemist at SNEPCo
Mohammad Ajam Hasani

Engineering Manager at SHARGAN
Venkat Subramanian

Technical & Business Consultant, Training Faculty Technologist - Independent at Consulting Expert

1 Understand the hydrate phase envelope

The first step to prevent hydrate formation is to understand the hydrate phase envelope, which is a graphical representation of the pressure and temperature conditions that favor hydrate formation. The hydrate phase envelope depends on the composition of the gas, the water content, and the presence of inhibitors or additives. By knowing the hydrate phase envelope, you can identify the regions where hydrates are likely to form and avoid them by adjusting the pressure and temperature of the system.

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Venkat Subramanian

Technical & Business Consultant, Training Faculty Technologist - Independent at Consulting Expert
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Determine the hydrate formation temperature and pressure (log sclae). Determine the molar concentration of methane (other HCs) and water Dehydrate using adsorption methods.

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Sabit Ali

Terminal Incharge at Max Fuels Private Limited with expertise in Terminal Operations | IOSH Certified | PEC Registered Engineer | Technical Article Writer | Content Creator | Social Media Marketing Expert
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To prevent hydrate formation in high-pressure reservoirs, maintaining temperatures above the hydrate formation threshold is crucial. This can be achieved by injecting methanol or glycol-based inhibitors into the reservoir, reducing water content in the gas stream, or adjusting pressure and temperature conditions to keep hydrates from forming. Continuous monitoring and timely interventions are essential for effective prevention.

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Tega Efenure

Senior Production Chemist at SNEPCo
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An example I have seen as a frequently used technique is to apply methanol bull-heading technique in subsea flowlines especially during long shut-in of wells as well as during well startups. Hot-oiling of subsea flowlines during well startups is equally an excellent hydrate mitigation technique used frequently to address the potentiality of hydrate formation in high pressure reservoirs.

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2 Use thermodynamic inhibitors

Thermodynamic inhibitors are chemicals that lower the hydrate formation temperature by interfering with the water-gas interaction. They include methanol, ethanol, glycols, and salts. Thermodynamic inhibitors are effective in preventing hydrate formation, but they require high dosage rates and continuous injection. They also increase the water cut and the corrosion potential of the system.

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3 Use kinetic inhibitors

Kinetic inhibitors are chemicals that delay or inhibit the growth of hydrate crystals by affecting their nucleation, agglomeration, or morphology. They include polymers, surfactants, and biosurfactants. Kinetic inhibitors are more economical than thermodynamic inhibitors, as they require lower dosage rates and intermittent injection. They also have less environmental impact and less interference with the fluid properties.

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4 Use low-dosage hydrate inhibitors

Low-dosage hydrate inhibitors are a class of chemicals that combine the benefits of thermodynamic and kinetic inhibitors. They include anti-agglomerants and hydrate dissociation promoters. Anti-agglomerants prevent the hydrate crystals from sticking together and forming plugs, while hydrate dissociation promoters enhance the heat transfer and reduce the hydrate stability zone. Low-dosage hydrate inhibitors require very low dosage rates and can be used in conjunction with other methods.

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Mohammad Ajam Hasani

Engineering Manager at SHARGAN
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Yes, injecting methanol could be useful in petrochemical industries for inhibiting hydrate formation. This method, change phase envelope of hydrocarbons to shift formation area of hydrate.

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Tega Efenure

Senior Production Chemist at SNEPCo
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I strongly agree with this. The benefits of LDHI's is mostly seen in its environmental friendliness, and some cost savings could as well be made when compared with the use of conventional chemical application methods involving the use of methanol and glycols

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5 Use mechanical methods

Mechanical methods are physical ways of preventing hydrate formation by altering the flow conditions or the system design. They include heating, insulation, pigging, depressurization, and gas-lift. Heating and insulation maintain the fluid temperature above the hydrate formation temperature. Pigging removes any solid deposits or water accumulation in the pipelines. Depressurization and gas-lift reduce the pressure below the hydrate formation pressure.

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6 Use operational methods

Operational methods are procedures or practices that prevent hydrate formation by managing the flow regime or the system integrity. They include flow assurance, water removal, pressure control, and monitoring. Flow assurance ensures that the fluid velocity and turbulence are sufficient to prevent water dropout and hydrate nucleation. Water removal reduces the water content and the hydrate potential of the system. Pressure control maintains the pressure within the safe operating range. Monitoring detects any signs of hydrate formation or blockage and triggers corrective actions.

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Tega Efenure

Senior Production Chemist at SNEPCo
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Operating an effective trigger system that gives alerts when subsea flowlines pressure exceeds the wells operating envelope is a safety critical element in managing and mitigating the risk of hydrate formation in high pressure reservoirs. Therefore operators and flow assurance engineers must always pay focused attention to pressure changes at the tubing head, flowlines and riser base headers.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Venkat Subramanian

Technical & Business Consultant, Training Faculty Technologist - Independent at Consulting Expert
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Determine hydrate formation conditions: Pressure and temperature for the hydrocarbon/ water mixture. Reduce pressure and temperature below threshold of hydrate formation. Dehydrate. Use piping insulation to mitigate heat loss and temperature reduction.

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How can you prevent hydrate formation in high-pressure reservoirs?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Understand the hydrate phase envelope

2 Use thermodynamic inhibitors

3 Use kinetic inhibitors

4 Use low-dosage hydrate inhibitors

5 Use mechanical methods

6 Use operational methods

7 Here’s what else to consider

Drilling Engineering

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How can you prevent hydrate formation in high-pressure reservoirs?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Understand the hydrate phase envelope

2 Use thermodynamic inhibitors

3 Use kinetic inhibitors

4 Use low-dosage hydrate inhibitors

5 Use mechanical methods

6 Use operational methods

7 Here’s what else to consider

Drilling Engineering

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