Oil Production Pipelines Research Articles

Application of drag reduction agents as a method for reducing heat loss during pumping through a pipeline

Relevance. The need to maintain the temperature regime of product pumping under increasingly complex conditions of pipeline routes by reducing heat losses of oil and petroleum product pipelines, as well as expanding the scope of application of anti-turbulence additives. Aim. To determine the effect of anti-turbulence additives on heat and hydraulic losses in the pipeline and to propose cost-effective ways to use additives when pumping through pipelines. Objects. Heat and hydraulic losses in pipelines pumping oil and oil products. Methods. Mathematical analysis of the influence of anti-turbulence additives on the thermohydraulic properties of the flow to assess the prospects for increasing the energy efficiency of pumping liquid through pipelines by introducing polymer additives. Results. The flow temperature was calculated using anti-turbulence additive depending on its concentration and efficiency, taking into account the dependence of the properties of the pumped product on temperature. The authors have constructed the graphic dependences of the economic components of heat and hydraulic losses on the concentration of anti-turbulence additives. The economic feasibility of the decision was estimated in terms of calculating the difference in pumping costs with and without anti-turbulence additives. The authors identified the relationship between the impact of losses from friction heat and heat exchange with the environment on heat losses, and analyzed the change in these parameters after the introduction of anti-turbulence additives. For the pipeline under consideration, the parameters of which correspond to standard pumping ones, the сonclusions were drawn on the predominance of the contribution of the additive hydraulic efficiency over the thermal one. This indicates the advisability of using an anti-turbulence additive as an agent for reducing heat losses at high values of the efficiency of the polymer additive, however, the overall economic efficiency is maximum at lower concentrations of the agent. The authors constructed a planar graph reflecting the dependence of the temperature at the end of the pipeline section on two coordinates: the length of the section and the hydraulic efficiency of the introduced additive.

Wax Deposition of Diesel Oil and Consequent Contamination of Gasoline in Sequential Transportation of Product Oil Pipeline

Wax deposition of diesel oil and contamination of gasoline by diesel wax deposit is a severe problem in sequential transportation of product oil in pipes. However, it has long been neglected by the pipeline transportation industry. In response, this work aims to present a unique perspective on wax deposition of diesel oil and consequent contamination of gasoline. A cold finger apparatus was designed and constructed. Model oil composed of diesel and refined wax was prepared for wax deposition. Shear dispersion was excluded for wax deposition of diesel oil. Moreover, dissolution experiments of diesel wax deposit in gasoline were conducted. It was found that the dissolution rate increases with oil temperature and decreases with cold finger temperature and shear stress. Analysis on gasoline quality after diesel wax deposit dissolution indicated that contamination of gasoline caused by diesel wax deposit severely deteriorates its distillation range, but the octane number remains acceptable. This work features an interesting investigation on the wax-deposition mechanism of diesel oil, dissolution characteristics of diesel wax deposit, as well as quality deterioration of subsequent gasoline. It would be helpful in scheduling a product oil-transportation program.

Analysis on the stability of a coal mine's dumping slope and its influence on oil pipeline

There is cross-interference between an-yu-meng line of Yunnan product oil pipeline about 920m and NO.1 dump of a coal mine. In order to analyze the stability of the dump slope under heavy rain and other working conditions, and the influence of the dump continued dumping on the pipeline safety, combined with the geological environment conditions, quantitative calculation of stability and numerical simulation in the study area, a comprehensive analysis is carried out. The results show that the south section of the dump is about 200m long and unstable under heavy rain, and the other sections are in a stable state, because the pipeline in the south section of the dump is located at the foot of the dump slope, the soil has the possibility of squeezing and shearing the pipeline, and the cross-interference pipeline in the north section of the dump is about 490m long, the northern section of the dump has a good stability. Most of the pipelines are buried at a depth of 1.5 m ~ 2 m, and the local depth is 7.5 m. the buried depth of the pipelines is in strongly weathered basalt, which is beneficial to the safety of the pipelines, the slope of the pipeline is inclined to the west, the slope of the pipeline is inclined in the opposite direction to the lateral compression of the dump, and the possibility of the pipeline forming lateral shear is small, the main hazards of the north slope instability to pipelines are burial and impact. The research results provide basis for safety evaluation and later treatment design of pipeline in cross-interference section of dump slope.

IMPROVING APPROACHES TO DETERMINING THE LEVEL OF FILLING OF THE PIPE BODY WITH PUMPED PRODUCT

As of 2015, there were more than 200 permanent and variable gravity sections of crude oil and petroleum product pipelines in the pipeline system of PJSC Transneft, the natural monopoly for pipeline transportation of crude oil and petroleum products in the Russian Federation. The operation of gravity sections in oil pipelines in Russia is a very important safety and environmental issue, and Russian oil transportation companies are constantly working on improving approaches to monitor and control pipeline operation modes. When these sections occur, special attention is given to determining the geometric capacity of the pipeline section, as pumping is done in batches and commercial pumping product remains in the gravity section during periodic shutdowns. Due to the limited technical equipment of these sections and the likely illegal unrecorded product withdrawals in these pipeline sections, the most demanding approach is to determine the fill factor of the pipe body. The fill factor is influenced by many factors, including the presence of gas phase and water accumulations, correct geometry of the pipe body and other factors. Given the given initial data, it can be seen that the solution to the problem of determining the filling level of a stopped oil pipeline is reduced to the construction of a multifactor model. For accurate determination, in addition to the model, there is a need for relevant software, an algorithm for solving the problem ofcalculating the filling factor. Correspondingly, operating organisations need a system for accounting and control of the product filling level at these sections at the level of improvement of the state system for ensuring unity of measurements and metrological support of accounting for the long-distance pipeline transport of oil and oil products - a strategic resource, the revenues from the sale of which account for about 23 % of the budgetary system of the Russian Federation.The calculation created and proposed by the authors is divided into stages in which the initial data is sequentially collected, the voltages on the capacitors are calculated, the data is processed using the interpolation method, an image is constructed using the Newton-Gauss method, and the filling factor is calculated with various multiphase pumping products. The calculation is made based on voltage readings from sensors located orthogonally to the axis of the pipe body. Using the approximation method and the Newton-Gauss method, you can get rid of the «noise» and level the phase boundary. When tested and implemented at pipeline pumping facilities, it will be possible to clarify the existing dependences of the influence of gas phase friction on the fluid flow rate, and, therefore, evaluate the effect on the filling factor. This calculation can become a tool in the fight against illegal tappings.

PREVENTION OF CRYSTALLISATION OF ASPHALT-RESIN-PARAFFIN DEPOSITS UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF A PERMANENT MAGNETIC FIELD

During the operation of oil production wells, significant losses occur due to asphalt-resin-paraffin deposits (ARPD) in the pores of reservoirs and lift pipes. Understanding the detection and technology for combating ARPD is an urgent scientific, technical, and practical task, as this factor affects the wells’ operability and ultimate productivity. Keywords: oil products pipeline transportation, high-viscosity oil, paraffin deposition, permanent magnetic field.

Optimizing Concession Agreement Terms and Conditions: Stakeholder Interest Alignment in the Petrochemical Sector

This article is devoted to the examination of models and the selection of optimal parameters for concession agreements pertaining to construction and operation projects within the pipeline infrastructure of the petrochemical sector. Pipelines are underscored as capital-intensive assets crucial for the organization of complex petrochemical production processes. These processes play a vital role in generating added value, tax revenue, employment opportunities, and fostering territorial development while upholding environmental quality standards. This study aims to ascertain the economic parameters of concession agreements, with a focus on achieving a balance of economic interests between the government and businesses. Through a comparative analysis of fundamental economic and mathematical models of concession agreements, the authors model economic parameters to determine the government’s share in investments and concession fees concerning pipeline projects. Subsequently, an oil product pipeline project is discussed as a case study. The results gleaned from this analysis can be harnessed to optimize the parameters of concession agreements and enhance the economic efficiency of project implementation. Economically viable parameters not only facilitate the execution of concession agreements but also foster the generation of added value, social benefits, and environmental oversight, thus aligning with the principles of sustainable development.

Predicting corrosion for life estimation of ocean and coastal steel infrastructure

AbstractPhysical infrastructure in coastal and offshore locations often is constructed from mild and low alloy steels. These are prone to marine corrosion even with the application of protective coatings and cathodic protection. Particularly for high‐value assets such as energy facilities (wind farms, oil and gas production and subsea pipelines), the prediction of their safe and economic life is of much interest. Herein, a review is given of the modern development of models for the prediction of long‐term marine corrosion of steel exposed to various marine environments. These include immersion, tidal, splash and atmospheric zones and contact with sands and soils. The effects of temperature and water pollution are especially important, as is the ability of the steels or irons to form protective corrosion products. Comments are made also about other alloys such as copper‐nickels and aluminium. All show that corrosion, including pitting corrosion, develops with increased exposure time in a bimodal manner. The reasons for such behaviour are considered, together with the practical implications, important for containment structures such as pipelines, tanks and floating offshore energy platforms.

Increase of oil product pipeline throughput capacity by means of an anti-turbulent additive

The need to increase the capacity of the pipelines is increasing with the growth of oil and gas production in Russia. Russian and foreign scientists, who carry out numerous experiments and develop additives to oil and petroleum products that reduce hydraulic resistance and head loss from friction in the near-wall area of the pipeline, are working to solve the problem of oil pipeline capacity [1]. This paper considers the actual task of increasing the throughput capacity of oil product pipelines by the use of antiturbulent additive “CDR” and “M - FLOWTREAT” [2]. In the course of solving the task: an analytical review of methods to increase the throughput capacity of pipelines was carried out; a mathematical model of the additive effect on the conditions of oil flow in the pipeline was constructed; the effect of the additive on hydraulic resistance and oil flow velocity was investigated; a comparative assessment of the effectiveness of different additives on the throughput capacity of oil pipelines was given; the optimal concentration of the antiturbulent additive was selected [3]. The mathematical model proposed in this work, taking into account hydraulically smooth pipes and limitation, gives good results of capacity increase of up to 20%. Also, during the research it was found that the additive “M - FLOWTREAT” is more effective than “CDR” and from the point of view of capital investment is more favorable as to achieve the required performance, the amount of the additive is required less [4].

Mixed oil control and solution of mountain product oil pipeline

At present, the mixing oil will be produced in the sequential transportation of various refined oil inescapable. The mixing oil is not qualified product which is needed to be dealt with. The Volume of mixing oil is less the better. How to reduce the volume of mixing oil in the transportation of product oil is the key to reduce the cost and improve pipeline efficiency. This paper discusses the cause and mechanism of mixed oil in refined products and the characteristics of mixed oil in mountain pipelines. Then, it is providing a calculation method of mixed oil quantity, and a detecting method of mixed oil section, and a treatment method after receiving mixed oil.

Establishment of General Oil Pipeline Scheduling Model and Research on Interface Tracking Calculation Method

In order to understand the establishment of oil pipeline scheduling model and interface tracking calculation method, a research on the establishment of a universal product oil pipeline scheduling model and interface tracking calculation method has been proposed. Establish an automatic formulation and optimization model for the scheduling plan of finished oil pipelines with the objective of minimizing the consumption cost of the entire pump unit. The model mainly adopts a centralized distribution method, considering the hydraulic constraints of the pipeline, and adopts a genetic algorithm to optimize and solve the model. This article provides a detailed introduction to the encoding method of genetic algorithm for optimizing the scheduling plan of finished oil pipelines, the selection of main operators in the algorithm, the establishment of fitness functions, and the introduction of penalty functions. Based on the established mathematical model, an automatic programming and optimization program for product oil pipeline scheduling plan was developed using C language in Windows 7 environment. Secondly, through practical applications, the actual pipeline operation data is basically consistent with the software calculation results, with an error of no more than 5%; As the running time changes, the pump cost fluctuates greatly; Using a larger throughput can reduce the amount of mixed oil; Therefore, this mathematical model can better meet the actual needs of pipeline operation, facilitate the rapid identification of the most sensitive parameter indicators, and adjust the scheduling plan in a timely manner, reduce operational economic losses, and improve the efficiency of product oil pipeline scheduling and operation.

Modelling wax deposition of diesel in sequential transportation of product oil pipeline using optimized back propagation neural network

AbstractContamination of gasoline by wax deposit of diesel is a severe problem in sequential transportation of product oil pipelines in cold areas. However, most works on wax deposition are focused on crude oil. In response, this paper aims to investigate wax deposition from a unique perspective of diesel oil in sequential transportation. To this end, a cold finger apparatus was designed and constructed. It is found that the wax deposition rate of diesel oil increases with oil temperature and wax content, and decreases with cold finger temperature. A non‐monotonic variation trend is observed against shear stress. To predict diesel wax deposition rate, a back propagation (BP) neural network optimized by bald eagle search (BES) algorithm is proposed. Grey relational analysis (GRA) is employed to get the highly relevant factors as input parameters of the developed model. Prediction accuracy and generalization ability of the BES‐BP model is experimentally verified. This work will be helpful to schedule the transportation program of product oil to avoid contamination of gasoline by diesel wax deposit.

Criminal Responsibility for Pipeline Thefts: Legislative, Theoretical and Practical Aspects

The paper is devoted to the problems arising in the theory of criminal law and court and investigative practice when classifying a theft under paragraph «b« of Part 3 of Article 158 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. According to the results of the study, the authors present their recommendations as to improvement of the classification of a theft committed from other pipelines (not normatively fixed in Article 158 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation). The physical essence of the object of theft and its different interpretation in the legal literature are analyzed. The paper considers mandatory elements of a theft in the form of stealing and using hydrocarbons in their favor, committed by the so-called illegal tapping. Special attention is given to the issues of differentiation of planning and attempt in the analyzed body of theft, assessment of the actions of the coauthor and accomplice in the theft from the oil pipeline, oil product pipeline and gas pipeline. The category of «place» of a criminal act, i.e., theft from pipelines of various types, including trunk pipelines, is systematized, and the classification of the deed is proposed. The author’s position on the classification of other forms of theft (in particular, robbery and plundering) committed from an oil pipeline, oil product pipeline or gas pipeline is highlighted. The law enforcement practice is analyzed, the issues of distinguishing the theft of oil, petroleum products or gas from the pipeline from causing property damage by deception or abuse of trust are touched upon. The authors conclude that theft of oil (petroleum products) and theft of gas represent two types of theft within the same body of the crime. The authors have studied over 400 court decisions (sentences, rulings, resolutions) on crimes in the form of theft of oil, petroleum products or gas from pipelines for the period from 2007 to 2022, in more than 20 regions of Russia. The results of the study are reflected in the presented conclusions.

CO2 corrosion prediction on 20# steel under the influence of corrosion product film

Based on corrosion thermodynamics and kinetics, considering the multi-field coupling effects of fluid flow, electrochemical reaction and mass transfer process, a new corrosion prediction mechanistic model was proposed by introducing the influence factor of corrosion product film on diffusion coefficient of ion mass transfer, which is based on the CO 2 corrosion prediction model proposed by Nesic et al. The influence of temperature, flow rate and pH value on CO 2 corrosion behavior on 20# steel was studied by orthogonal tests. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy spectrum analysis (EDS) was used to analyze the surface and cross section morphology of the corrosion product film, and the thickness of the corrosion product film was measured. The results show that the introduced influence factor can simplify the ion mass transfer calculation in the presence of corrosion product film, and the relative error between the predicted value of the modified model and the experimental results is satisfactorily controlled less than 10%. Compared with the prediction model without considering the influence of corrosion product film, the influence factor can effectively correct the high prediction value of the mechanistic model under the influence of corrosion product film, improve the accuracy and applicability of corrosion prediction, and provide important theoretical guidance for the design, manufacturing, operation and maintenance of oil and gas production pipelines and related facilities.

Environmental risk of oil pipeline accidents

Oil spills from pipeline accidents, caused by either material degradation or improper operation, can result in long-lasting environmental damage to soil and water. Assessing the potential environmental risks of these accidents is crucial for effective pipeline integrity management. This study calculates the accident rate using Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) data and estimates the environmental risk of pipeline accidents by factoring in the cost of environmental remediation. Results show that crude oil pipelines in Michigan pose the highest environmental risk, while Texas has the highest environmental risk for product oil pipelines. On average, crude oil pipelines have a higher environmental risk (56,533.6 US dollars·times·mile−1·year−1) compared to product oil pipelines (13,395.6 US dollars·times·mile−1·year−1). Factors affecting pipeline integrity management are also analyzed, including diameter, diameter-thickness ratio, and design pressure. The study finds that larger pipelines with higher pressures receive more attention during maintenance and thus pose a lower environmental risk. Furthermore, underground pipelines pose a much higher environmental risk than pipelines in other environments, and pipelines are more vulnerable in the early and mid-stages of operation. The leading causes of environmental risk in pipeline accidents are material failure, corrosion, and equipment failure. By comparing environmental risks, managers can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of their integrity management efforts.

Review of Oil–Water Flow Characteristics of Emptying by Water Displacing Oil in Mobile Pipelines

Water displacing oil is one of the main emptying methods for mobile pipelines. It has the advantages of being a simple process and highly safe. At present, the determination of a water displacing oil scheme of mobile pipelines is based on the oil–oil alternating transport theory of product oil pipelines. However, the insolubility of the oil phase and the water phase results in a great difference between the flow characteristics of water displacing oil and the oil–oil alternating transport of a product oil pipeline. In addition, due to the effect of buoyancy, the oil phase gathers at the high point of the pipeline and forms a liquid accumulation, which is difficult to carry away by water flow, resulting in the low emptying efficiency of the mobile pipeline. The essence of water displacing oil in a mobile pipeline is an oil–water two-phase unsteady displacement flow, involving liquid–liquid displacement flow, oil–water two-phase flow and water carrying oil. Aiming at such problems, domestic and foreign scholars have carried out a large number of theoretical and experimental studies, established the oil–water mixing model of water displacing oil and the relationship between macroscopic quantity (flow pattern, pressure drop and water content) and microscopic quantity (local flow field and droplet dispersion pattern, etc.) under each flow type, and explored the influence of pipeline diameter, oil phase velocity, pipeline inclination angle and other parameters on the capacity of carrying liquid accumulation. On this basis, this paper analyzes the shortcomings of the current research on the oil–water flow characteristics of water displacing oil in a mobile pipeline from three aspects: the formation mechanism of the oil–water mixture, displacing flow characteristics of immiscible fluids and flow characteristics of water carrying oil. Five future research directions are proposed, including the interface morphology and flow field characteristics of oil–water two-phase layered flow, local mixing characteristics of an oil–water two-phase dual continuous flow interface, droplet distribution and flow characteristics of oil–water two-phase dispersed flow, unsteady flow characteristics of the oil–water mixture of water displacing oil and oil accumulation and flow characteristics in topographic relief pipes.

Применение полиамидов для герметизации нефтепродуктопроводов

Технологичность и экономичность полиамидных материалов обусловливают их широкое применение для герметизации нефтепродуктопроводов и иных емкостей с нефтепродуктами. Очевидной является актуальность их дальнейшего использования и наращивания объемов применимости. Цель настоящей работы - повышение эффективности использования изделий из полиамидов в уплотнительной технике и определение условий эксплуатации, где их применение наиболее целесообразно. Объектом рассмотрения являлся полиамид 6 блочный (капролон В), испытания прямой и обратной ползучести которого были проведены на испытательной машине ЦДМ-10 с использованием специального приспособления. Исследовано также влияние типичного нефтепродукта - керосина - на твердость и ползучесть капролона. Предельная температура эксплуатации уплотняющих изделий определена с использованием консистометра Хепплера на основе зависимости температуры стеклования от сжимающего напряжения. Нефтепродукты снижают твердость и жесткость полиамидов, однако это не мешает их применению в определенных условиях. Полиамид 6 целесообразно использовать в диапазоне удельных давлений от 10 до 50 МПа при температурах от -50 до +50 °С. Техническое обслуживание уплотнений с периодичностью, кратной скорости релаксации удельных давлений, способно повысить верхний предел допускаемых рабочих давлений на 30-40 %. The manufacturability and cost-effectiveness of polyamide materials make them widely used for sealing pipelines filled with petroleum products. The aim of the work was to increase the efficiency of the use of polyamide products in sealing technology and to determine the operating conditions where their use is most appropriate. The object of the study was polyamide 6 blocked (caprolon B), the tests of forward and reverse creep of which were carried out on a CDM-10 testing machine using a special device. The influence of a typical kerosene oil product on the hardness and creep of caprolon has also been investigated. The maximum operating temperature of sealing products is determined using a Heppler consistometer based on the dependence of the glass transition temperature on the compressive stress. Petroleum products reduce the hardness and rigidity of polyamides, but this does not prevent their use in certain conditions. Polyamide 6 is advisable to use in the range of specific pressures from 10 to 50 MPa at temperatures from -50 to +50 °C. Maintenance of seals with a frequency multiple of the relaxation rate of specific pressures can increase the upper limit of permissible operating pressures by 30-40 %.

Physics-based Bayesian linear regression model for predicting length of mixed oil

Precise estimation of the length of mixed oil is important to optimize the operation efficiency of products pipeline. The feasibility of physics models is limited by low accuracy or numerical simulation burden. The current frequentist predictive models require a sufficient number of historical samples, or they are easily encountered with over-fitting phenomenon. Bayesian linear regression model may alleviate this issue while predictive performance is also unsatisfactory without fusion of physical knowledge. To tackle such problems, this article proposes a new modeling method by employing the physics model to provide the nonlinear expression form and the underlying prior knowledge to the Bayesian linear regression model (BLR), and a physics-based Bayesian linear regression model (PBBLR) is developed. Based on the real product oil pipeline dataset, a performance comparison experiment with the Artificial Neural Network, the Gradient Boosting Decision Tree algorithm, two state-of-the-art predictive models, least squares estimation and pure Bayesian linear regression model is carried out, and the results verify the effectiveness of the proposed modeling method as the PBBLR shows optimal predictive performance in all scenarios. This research can help promote the predictive accuracy of mixed oil length of product oil pipelines and provide reference for the physics-data hybrid modeling method.

Hot spots of methane emission in West Siberian middle taiga wetlands disturbed by petroleum extraction activities

Hot spots of methane emission in West Siberian middle taiga wetlands disturbed by petroleum extraction activities

Сравнительный анализ нестационарных процессов в нефтепродуктопроводе при резком и плавном открытии сечения при возникновении утечки или несанкционированной врезки

The purpose of the study is to conduct a comparative analysis of unsteady processes in the oil product pipeline with a sharp and smooth opening of the section in it, in which leakage or unauthorized insertion occurs. The analysis is performed using computer modeling based on the method of characteristics. As a result, conclusions are drawnabout the importance of taking into account the smoothness of opening a section with a leak or a tie-in when modeling transients in oil product pipelines.

Проблемные аспекты правового регулирования зон с особыми условиями использования территорий, возникающих в связи размещением магистральных нефтепроводов и нефтепродуктопроводов

Since 2018, there has been a large-scale reform in the legal institution of restricted use areas (hereinafter referred to as RUAs). The Land Code of the Russian Federation (hereinafter referred to as the Land Code) was supplemented by Chapter XIX (Restricted Use Areas) (Articles 104 to 107). The established RUA types related to the placement of main oil and oil product pipelines (hereinafter collectively referred to as oil pipelines) include: (1) exclusion zones (Article 105, Clause 6, of the Land Code), (2) zones in close proximity to main pipelines (Article 105, Clause 25, of the Land Code), (3) sanitary protection zones (Article 105, Clause 18, of the Land Code). The complex legal writing of the RUA laws, poorly developed and monotonous judicial practice gives rise to many controversial situations. This paper examines problems that arise with legal regulation of main oil pipeline RUAs. There are currently no legal studies that comprehensively address the problems of exclusion zones, close proximity zones, or sanitary protection zones of main oil pipelines. Therefore, conducting legal research in order to develop proposals for improving the regulation of RUAs of main oil pipelines is extremely important and urgent.