Investigation of gas gathering pipelines operation efficiency and selection of improvement methods

Abstract

Purpose: The article implies theoretical and experimental studies of the liquid pollution accumulations impact on the efficiency of gathering gas pipelines operation at the Yuliivskyi oil and gas condensate production facility (OGCPF). Research of efficiency of gas pipelines cleaning by various methods. Design/methodology/approach: The research methodology consists of determining the hydraulic efficiency of gathering gas pipelines before and after cleaning of their internal cavity by different methods and comparing the obtained results, which allows to objectively evaluate the efficiency of any cleaning method. CFD simulation of gas-dynamic processes in low sections of gas pipelines with liquid contaminants. Findings: Experimental studies of cleaning efficiency in the inner cavity of the gas gathering pipelines of the Yuliivskyi OGCPF by various methods, including: supply of surfactant solution, creating a high-speed gas flow, use of foam pistons were performed. It was established that cleaning the inner cavity of gas gathering pipelines by supplying a surfactant solution leads to an increase in the coefficient of hydraulic efficiency by 2%-4.5%, creating a high-speed gas flow by 4%-7%, and under certain conditions by 8%-10 % and more. However, for two gas pipelines the use of foam pistons allowed to increase the coefficient of hydraulic efficiency from 5.7 % to 10.5 % with a multiplicity of foam from 50 to 90. be recommended for other deposits.The results of CFD simulation showed that the accumulation of liquid contaminants in the lowered sections of gas pipelines affects gas-dynamic processes and leads to pressure losses above the values provided by the technological regime. With the increase in liquid contaminants volume the pressure losses occur. Moreover, with a small amount of contamination (up to 0.006 m3), liquid contaminants do not have a significant effect on pressure loss. If the contaminants volume in the lowered section of the pipeline is greater than the specified value, the pressure loss increases by parabolic dependence. The increase in mass flow leads to an increase in the value of pressure loss at the site of liquid contamination. Moreover, the greater the mass flow, the greater the impact of its changes on the pressure loss. The CFD simulation performed made it possible not only to determine the patterns of pressure loss in places of liquid contaminants accumulation in the inner cavity of gas pipelines, but also to understand the gas-dynamic processes in such places, which is an unconditional advantage of this method over experimental. Research limitations/implications: The obtained simulation results showed that the increase in the volume of liquid contaminants in the inner cavity of gas gathering pipelines leads to an increase in pressure losses above the value provided by the technological regime. To achieve maximum cleaning of gas gathering pipelines, it is necessary to develop a new method that will combine the considered. Practical implications: The performed experimental results make it possible to take a more thorough approach to cleaning the inner cavity of gas gathering pipelines and to forecast in advance to what extent the hydraulic efficiency of gas gathering pipelines can be increased. Originality/value: The obtained results of CFD simulation of gas-dynamic processes in lowered sections of gas pipelines with liquid contaminants, experimental studies of the effectiveness of various methods of cleaning the inner cavity of gas gathering pipelines has original value.