Successful Field Application of an Inhibitor Concentration Detection System in Optimising the Kinetic Hydrate Inhibitor (KHI) Injection Rates and Reducing the Risks Associated with Hydrate Blockage

Abstract

Abstract Currently, hydrate inhibitors are injected at the pipelines upstream based on the calculated/measured hydrate phase boundary, water cut, worst pressure and temperature conditions, and the amount of inhibitor lost to non-aqueous phases. In general, no means of controlling and monitoring are available along the pipeline and/or downstream to assess the degree of inhibition. Often high safety margins are considered to accommodate for the uncertainties in the above parameters and to ensure gas hydrate risks are eliminated. However, despite these efforts hydrates do still form and this can result in considerable economical and safety concerns. As a result of a joint industry project, a novel device based on electrical conductivity and sonic velocity (C-V technique) has been developed for monitoring the hydrate safety margin to optimise inhibitor injection rates. The system determines the amount of inhibitors (e.g., salt, KHI, methanol, MEG, etc…) in the aqueous phase and the degree of inhibition they can provide. The device has been successfully applied in determining the amount of KHI in produced water from the Dolphin field in Qatar. Compared to conventional chemical techniques the device is much faster (less than 3 minutes) and less labour intensive and there is no chemical requirement. In this presentation, the results of the trial of this device in determining KHI concentration in produced water are described. The results shows that this new technique is very fast and reliable, optimising the KHI injection rate, improving the economy and reliability of hydrate inhibition strategy, and minimising the impact on the environment. Introduction From a flow assurance point of view, gas hydrate formation is undoubtedly dreaded as the major risk of plugging the oil and gas production systems. Natural gas hydrates. Natural Gas hydrates are ice-like crystalline compounds that form whenever water molecules contact hydrocarbon gas molecules of low molecular weight (from methane to butane) or other gas molecules such as N2, CO2 or H2S. The hydrate crystals can be represented as a network of hydrogen-bonded water molecules forming cages with gas constituents trapped within. Conditions promoting gas hydrate formation are high pressure (typically > 30 bar) and low temperature (typically < 20°C). Precise conditions in terms of pressure and temperature depend on the composition of the fluids. Hydrate formation can occur for all the produced fluids if required P & T conditions are reached: natural gas, gas with condensate and crude oil with associated gas, with condensed or formation water.