A new technique for removing the accumulated liquids in gas-condensate pipelines and risers by foam generation in the presence of mixed surfactants

Abstract

In the present work, a new technique for removing the accumulated liquids in gas-condensate pipes and risers by foam generation in the presence of methane gas and binary mixtures of SLES (sodium lauryl ether sulfate) and TX100 (Triton X-100) surfactants is presented for the first time. A new automated foam production system for assessment of liquid removal efficiency and a new set up for evaluation of foam stability at high pressures and temperatures are also developed. It is shown that at a high pressure of 70 bar and in the presence of optimum concentrations of SLES and TX100 binary surfactants, the generated foam is highly stable even after 24 h which is a new impressive result. It is also shown that in the presence of 1.4 CMC SLES and TX100 = 2 SLES, it is possible to obtain a considerable liquid removal efficiency as high 95 % at different operating conditions, suggesting the superior performance of the proposed technique. The suggested low cost foam pigging technique in the present work can have potential application as an alternative to the expensive risky mechanical pigging regarding continuous removal of the accumulated liquids in the gas wellbores, risers and high pressure gas condensate pipelines in oil and gas industries.