Oil Production Pipelines Research Articles

Identification and characterization of microbial biofilm communities associated with corroded oil pipeline surfaces

Microbially influenced corrosion (MIC) has long been implicated in the deterioration of carbon steel in oil and gas pipeline systems. The authors sought to identify and characterize sessile biofilm communities within a high-temperature oil production pipeline, and to compare the profiles of the biofilm community with those of the previously analyzed planktonic communities. Eubacterial and archaeal 16S rRNA sequences of DNA recovered from extracted pipeline pieces, termed ‘cookies,’ revealed the presence of thermophilic sulfidogenic anaerobes, as well as mesophilic aerobes. Electron microscopy and elemental analysis of cookies confirmed the presence of sessile cells and chemical constituents consistent with corrosive biofilms. Mass spectrometry of cookie acid washes identified putative hydrocarbon metabolites, while surface profiling revealed pitting and general corrosion damage. The results suggest that in an established closed system, the biofilm taxa are representative of the planktonic eubacterial and archaeal community, and that sampling and monitoring of the planktonic bacterial population can offer insight into biocorrosion activity. Additionally, hydrocarbon biodegradation is likely to sustain these communities. The importance of appropriate sample handling and storage procedures to oilfield MIC diagnostics is highlighted.

Определение продольных усилий в подземном действующем трубопроводе в условиях его продольно-поперечного изгиба

Background The longitudinal forces affect the underground pipelines (oil pipelines, oil product pipelines, gas pipelines) as a result of temperature gradient and internal pressure. The pipeline incurs the longitudinal-transverse bending under the influence of surrounding longitudinal force, the weight of soil and the pipeline with a product. The value and sometimes even a sign of the longitudinal force changes under the bending. According to the requirements of SNIP 2.05.06-85 * the underground pipelines should be checked for strength and deformation in the longitudinal direction. Thus, the maximum summarized longitudinal stresses are determined by the design load and by transverse and longitudinal displacements. These rules contain formulas to determine the longitudinal stresses and strains only in cases of absence of pipeline displacement. Aims and Objectives To derive the functions of longitudinal forces depending on the longitudinal transverse motion of the underground pipeline. Methods Analysis of longitudinal-transverse displacements of operated underground oil and gas pipeline, experimental studies, pilot projects and theoretical studies of movements of operated underground pipeline in various ground conditions. Results There were derived the dependence of longitudinal forces from the longitudinal-transverse displacement of underground pipeline.

An Exploration on Prevention and Treatment Plan on Water and Soil Loss in the Construction of Trenched Pipeline Projects

Taking the Shandong section of Shandong-Anhui product oil pipeline project as an example, this paper makes a preliminary summarization on the prevention and treatment plan on water and soil loss in this kind of project aiming at slope stability and runoff regulation. Through the lasting monitoring on soil and water conservation in the process of actual construction and operation, this plan can effectively prevent water and soil loss in project area and get expected results.

The monitoring of the two phase flow-annular flow type regime using microwave sensor technique

Accurate monitoring of a multiphase fluid flow in a dynamic pipeline is a significant problem in the oil industry. For efficient management of oil field wells, a real-time online system with capabilities to monitor fractions of oil, gas and water in oil production pipelines is required. These parameters determine the oil quality and inform how much water, oil and gas is produced from oil wells. This paper reports on the development of a novel non-intrusive sensor, which is based on electromagnetic waves cavity resonator. It determines and monitors the percentage volumes of each of the two phases (oil and gas) in the pipeline using the resonant frequencies shifts that occur within the resonator. A laboratory prototype version of the sensor system was constructed and tested. Experimental results were in good correlation with theoretical model that was simulated with High Frequency Structure Simulation (HFSS) software. Reported system will form the basis for the advanced real-time multiphase fluid composition monitoring platform.

Research on the Overall Heat Transfer Coefficients of Crude Oil Pipeline and Product Pipeline Laid in One Ditch

Crude oil pipelines and product pipelines laid in one ditch is a new construction technology, which not only saves construction costs but protects the environment. Overall heat transfer coefficients of the crude oil pipeline and product pipeline laid in one ditch are important parameters that are used to calculate the oil temperature along the pipeline and influence the design and operation of the whole pipeline. Formulas regarding soil temperature field, heat emission coefficient between the pipeline and the soil, as well as overall heat coefficients of the crude oil pipeline and product pipeline laid in one ditch are deduced by conformal mapping. Then the oil temperatures along the pipeline are calculated. Comparing the temperatures for double-pipeline and single-pipeline conditions, the results calculated by the overall heat transfer coefficient formulas with pipelines laid in one ditch are more accurate than those with a single pipeline.

Collapse Analysis of Jointed Rock Slope Based on UDEC Software and Practical Seismic Load

Once rock slope under the earthquake effect is instability, it will cause huge economic damage and casualties. Therefore, it is necessary to study the mechanism of the collapse analysis of jointed rock slope based on UDEC Software and practical seismic load .As an example that Lan-Cheng-Yu product oil pipeline in K0526+300 jointed rock slope, this geological model of the slope is established on the geological and structure feature of the slope. It is easy to establish the numerical model of rock slope considering the structure characteristics with the UDEC software. The practical 5.12 earthquake loads and the related constraints are inputted to carry through the slope dynamic analysis. It verifies that is feasible to use the UDEC software in the collapse analysis of the crack development of rock slope, through the comparison and analysis between the simulation results and slope body actual damage. results presented in the paper indicates that the effects of earthquake makes the interface between rocks decrease, then damage the integrity of rock mass, ultimately lead to rock slope collapse. It is important significance to prevent and mitigate disaster in areas where earthquakes are common for this study.

Теоретические основы для определения магнитной проницаемости металла труб, используемых при нефтедобыче

Background Pipeline transportation of oil and gas fluids is widely used in the system of recovery, collection and transport of well flowstream in oil industry. In some cases long operating pipes are used (old fund). Accounting that effective and ecologically safe operating of such pipes requires the periodic control system. The electromagnetic methods are widely used as pipe inner diagnostics. So that magnetic permeability determination basing on electromagnetic field measuring is an important scientific and practical problem. It is necessary to calculate the magnetic permeability in spite of specific electric conduction as it is known from the pulse borehole crack and thickness detector operating experience. Realization of this project needs non-grounded spherical contour with the direct current as a source of magnetic field. Electric permeability does not influence the magnetic field of such source, thus, pipe becomes a paramagnetic characterized by magnetic permeability and geometrical parameters. Theoretical basis of such approach is a set of algorithms and calculating formulas, allowing the calculation of magnetic induction vector components (direct problem) and accurate determination of magnetic permability. Aims and Objectives To consider the ability of accurate determination of magnetic permeability and to derive all necessary formulas. Results The work deals with the basic theory of numerical evaluation of the ability to determine the magnetic permeability. There was developed the examples of its practical application using the axial component of magnetic induction vector. This theoretical basis allows to specify the results of interpretation of borehole crack detector, and could be used as a basis for investigation of oil product pipeline facilities.

Managing Distribution in Refined Products Pipelines Using Discrete-Event Simulation

The management of oil-product pipelines represents a critical task in the daily operation of petroleum supply chains. Efficient computational tools are needed to schedule pipeline operations in a reliable and cost-effective manner. This work presents a novel discrete event simulation system for the detailed scheduling of a multiproduct pipeline consisting of a sequence of pipes that connects a single input station to several receiving terminals. The pipeline is modeled as a non-traditional multi-server queuing system involving a number of servers at every pipe end that perform their tasks in a synchronized manner. By using alternative priority rules, the model decides which server should dispatch the entity waiting for service to the associated depot. Also, the model deals with the timely fulfillment of terminal demands and the system response to unexpected events. In combination with optimization tools, the proposed simulation technique permits to easily manage real-world pipelines operations with low computational effort.

Terrestrial exposure of oilfield flowline additives diminish soil structural stability and remediative microbial function

Onshore oil production pipelines are major installations in the petroleum industry, stretching many thousands of kilometres worldwide which also contain flowline additives. The current study focuses on the effect of the flowline additives on soil physico-chemical and biological properties and quantified the impact using resilience and resistance indices. Our findings are the first to highlight deleterious effect of flowline additives by altering some fundamental soil properties, including a complete loss of structural integrity of the impacted soil and a reduced capacity to degrade hydrocarbons mainly due to: (i) phosphonate salts (in scale inhibitor) prevented accumulation of scale in pipelines but also disrupted soil physical structure; (ii) glutaraldehyde (in biocides) which repressed microbial activity in the pipeline and reduced hydrocarbon degradation in soil upon environmental exposure; (iii) the combinatory effects of these two chemicals synergistically caused severe soil structural collapse and disruption of microbial degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons.

Analysis of the Groundwater and Soil Pollution by Oil Leakage

Abstract Oil is one of primary energy sources in modern society, with the development of social economy, the demands of the oil have increased dramatically. However, various oil leakage accidents occur frequently which can cause serious pollution to soil and groundwater, these have become nonnegligible environmental problems. Based on the accident of diesel leakage in Weinan branch of LanZhengChang oil product pipeline, this article analyzes the pollution degree and range of groundwater and soil using Kriging interpolation method, the results indicate that the groundwater and soil pollution is serious and there is no influence on Chishui River after kinds of measures, finally the article puts forward some corresponding countermeasures.

Inhibition of Structure I and II Gas Hydrates using Synthetic and Biological Kinetic Inhibitors

Use of low-dosage hydrate inhibitors in oil and gas field applications has been limited mainly because there are uncertainties related to their efficiency in preventing hydrate formation or because of environmental restrictions. Another question that normally arises in connection with use of low-dosage hydrate inhibitors is how they interact with other (than water) compounds normally found in oil and gas production pipelines. In this work three different experimental approaches to obtain hydrate induction times have been tested for structure I and II hydrate. All experiments were conducted in a high-pressure stirred cell. The results suggest that by adding small amounts of impurities to the hydrate-forming system a significant improvement in the reproducibility of induction times can be obtained. Adding salt and heptane to the system (as a simple model for seawater and a light crude) was found to increase the hydrate formation rate. Ice-structuring protein type III identified in the ocean pout, a biologic...

Design and construction of a large-diameter crude oil pipeline in Northeastern China: A special issue on permafrost pipeline

The design and building of a pipeline in permafrost regions challenge engineers and scientists in many regards, and the geohazards resulting from the (differential) frost heaving and thaw settlement of the pipeline foundation soils present one of the most daunting tasks. The China–Russia Crude Oil Pipeline, a spur line from the Siberia–Pacific Pipeline System, presented unique scientific and engineering problems because of: 1) extensive presence of the more ice-rich permafrost in boreal forests and swamps; 2) an insistence on a buried construction mode because of concerns about the potential for frequent forest fires and other safety issues; 3) great uncertainties in the temperatures of oil being transported although the given estimated oil temperature of − 6.4 to + 3.6 °C entering the Mo'he Pump Station, and the estimated oil temperatures could vary from about − 6 to + 10 °C along the southward pipeline route; 4) the limited lead time for detailed surveys on engineering geology along the pipeline routes and for engineering design; 5) very much limited investment and a limited number of engineers experienced in designing and building a major pipeline in an area where about one-half of its length would be impacted by generally warm (− 3 to 0 °C) permafrost. Nevertheless, the pipeline engineers and permafrost scientists strived to economically build and satisfactorily operate the first major crude oil pipeline in the boreal ecosystem in China. The major results on the formation mechanisms and mitigative measures for the (differential) frost heave and thaw settlement were presented in the eight papers in this special issue on permafrost pipeline, and one additional paper on the Golmud–Lhasa Oil Products Pipeline on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau was also included. They may provide insights to the understanding of pipeline–permafrost interactions and benefit the future design and construction of pipelines in similar northern environments.

Numerical Simulation of V-cone Flow Meter in Product Oil Pipeline of Batch Transportation

For product oil pipeline of batch transportation, this article describes the application of a V-cone flow meter in flow rate calculation of mixing oil in a pipeline, analyzes the velocity distribution in the internal flow field of a pipeline, obtains the qualitative relationship between the discharge coefficient of a V-cone flow meter and Reynolds number of mixing oil, and obtains the variation law of skin friction coefficient on the surface of the pipeline. The results show that a V-cone flow meter can overcome the shortcomings of a traditional flow meter. A V-cone flow meter can be used to measure the flow rate of a mixing oil section.

Permafrost and cold-region environmental problems of the oil product pipeline from Golmud to Lhasa on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau and their mitigation

Abstract The 1076-km-long Golmud–Lhasa oil product pipeline is located closely parallel to the highway constructed 20 years earlier within the relatively narrow north–south engineering corridor crossing the treeless central area of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. Much of the corridor is at elevations exceeding 4500 m and high-elevation, generally warm permafrost is encountered in more than one-half of the length. The pipeline, transporting mostly diesel, motor and aviation fuels at ambient temperatures, is 159 mm in diameter, has a wall thickness of 6 mm and was buried in a trench at a nominal depth of between 1.2 and 1.4 m. The soils encountered, mostly periglacial sands, silts and gravels, often have elevated saline contents and are subject to severe wind erosion and occasional monsoon flash flooding conditions. During its first quarter century of operation, the pipeline suffered at least 30 significant leaks and four pipeline ruptures. About 337 km of the pipeline was extensively rehabilitated, including relocations or replacements in major problem areas and, where feasible for an existing pipeline, improvements in pipeline protection during 2001–2004. It was supposed to safely operate for another 30 years with proper checks and needed repairs. This paper provides a review on the history of the permafrost and cold regions environmental problems of the pipeline, and their major rehabilitation, repairs and problems in the future, which might have useful implications for similar oil product pipeline at high elevations or permafrost regions.

Effect of Field Operational Variables on Internal Pitting Corrosion of Oil and Gas Pipelines

Abstract Experiments were conducted in six operating oil and gas production pipelines over four years to determine internal pitting corrosion rates under realistic operating conditions. —Pitting co...

The attenuation coefficient of an acoustic wave propagating in a turbulent flow in a long pipeline

Results of experiments on measuring the attenuation coefficient for acoustic waves propagating in long oil and petroleum product pipelines are presented. A comparison of experimental results with theory is performed. An approximate dependence of the attenuation coefficient on the dimensionless parameter of the flow is proposed.

Increasing the corrosion resistance of oil production equipment and pipelines

The protective properties of corrosion inhibitors have been studied in stratal waters of some oil fields located in the Perm region and the Timano-Pechorsk oil and gas bearing province, which are characterized by a high level of mineralization and contain corrosion-aggressive components. The ability of inhibitors to produce protective aftereffect is evaluated. The dependence of the anodic and cathodic processes on steel on the composition of medium, corrosive agents, temperature, and inhibitors has been studied by electrochemical techniques.

Web based multilayered distributed SCADA/HMI system in refinery application

The paper describes system synthesis and architecture of a multilayered distributed SCADA/HMI system. The system is used for monitoring and control of refinery terminals for truck loading and oil products pipeline shipping. Network-centered, distributed PLC system with SCADA functions and several levels of fieldbuses, interconnected with the HMI part of the system is described first. Following is a brief description of the software tools used in the system design. Configuration and PLC controllers programming, data server configuration, operator panels design and way of managing the control system using a standard Web browser, e.g. Internet Explorer, are addressed. After examining the way specific customization is done, the paper focuses on establishing the link with icons on graphic panels that integrates all three levels of process control from Operator’s panels.

Thermal analysis of polymer–water interactions and their relation to gas hydrate inhibition

AbstractGas hydrates formed in oil production pipelines are crystalline solids where hydrocarbon gas molecules such as methane, propane, and their mixtures are trapped in a cagelike structure by hydrogen‐bonded water molecules to form undesirable plugs. Methanol and glycol are currently used to prevent these plugs via thermodynamic inhibition. Small amounts of water‐soluble polymers may provide an alternate approach for preventing gas hydrates. In this study, we expand the fundamental understanding of water–polymer systems with differential scanning calorimetry. Nonfreezable bound water was used to quantify polymer–water interactions and relate them to the chemical structure for a series of polymers, including acrylamides, cyclic lactams, and n‐vinyl amides. For good interactions, the water structure needs to be stabilized through hydrophobic interactions. An increased hydrophobicity of the pendant group also appears to favor polymer performance as a gas hydrate inhibitor. Good inhibitors, such as poly(diethyl acrylamide) and poly(N‐vinyl caprolactam), also show higher heat capacities, which indicate higher hydrophobicity, than poor performers such as polyzwitterions, in which hydrophilicity dominated. The phase behavior and thermodynamic properties of dilute polymer solutions were also evaluated through measurements of the heat of demixing and lower critical solution temperature. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 2642–2653, 2007

Failure analysis of SCC and SRB induced cracking of a transmission oil products pipeline

In April 2004, a transmission oil products API 5L X52 pipeline in northern part of Iran cracked, which led to oil leakage. Causes of Corrosion were studied and simultaneous effects of SCC and SRB induced cracking were demonstrated. The results of the investigation indicated that the applied polyethylene tape coating on the external surface of the pipeline became loose and overlapped, i.e., opened and disbanded in the corroded area, consequently, the surface of the buried pipeline was exposed to the surrounding wet soil environment. As a result of the chemical interactions and the formation of carbonate–bicarbonate solution, and the existence of underweight arising bending stress, SCC induced cracking was introduced. In addition to SCC, sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB) activities have intensified corrosion and related cracking process. The mechanisms and morphologies of SCC and SRB induced cracking propagation into the pipeline microstructure were studied and investigated.