Flow Assurance and Subsea Productivity: Closing the Loop with Connectivity and Measurements

Abstract

TX 75083-3836, U.S.A., fax 01-972-952-9435. AbstractFlow assurance is a key priority for the subsea community as it is being challenged to provide answers to the following question: Can we manage the risk of hydrocarbons flow interruptions while optimizing the system performance using current flow assurance practice?Traditionally, flow assurance has focused on evaluating potential production problems associated with produced fluid issue such as waxes, asphaltenes, hydrates and scale. A combination of fluid sampling, laboratory techniques, and predictive modeling are then used for system selection and design of prevention and remediation strategies. These are often based on conservative modeling practices using incomplete or inconsistent data sets. No allowance for continuous monitoring that will provide data needed to recalibrate the system or to change the course of the process over the subsequent years is made. The result is often an overly conservative system design and operating strategy.The paper discusses a more dynamic approach to answering the above question as it explores the integration of the design and surveillance processes. Advances in sampling, analysis and modeling that reduce conservatism in design are reviewed. The role of real-time measurements during production from the reservoir, the wellbore, and the subsea infrastructure, in monitoring and optimization of a system is then discussed. Specific case examples are presented throughout to illustrate these points..

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“…), and the asphaltene stability will be easily destroyed with the changes of external conditions. Once asphaltenes become unstable, they can aggregate and precipitate out of the crude oil, and in severe cases they can even clog the oil pipes in the field . The problem of asphaltene precipitation is aggravated by the great changes in temperature and pressure during the production and transportation of crude oils.…”

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“…There is a critical or range of stresses, below which no flow occurs, but above which the viscosity of a gelled system decreases drastically. Thus, in order to restart flow of a gelled crude, a pressure larger than the typical operating pressure should be applied to exceed the yield stress of the fluid at wall [51,107,10].…”