An Offshore Natural Gas Transmission Pipeline Model and Analysis for the Prediction and Detection of Condensate/Hydrate Formation Conditions

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to model and analyze an existing natural gas transmission pipeline – the 24-inch, 5km gas export pipeline of the Amenam-Kpono field, Niger Delta, Nigeria – to determine properties such as pressure, temperature, density, flow velocity and, in particular, dew point, occurring at different segments of the pipeline, and to compare these with normal pipeline conditions in order to identify the segments most susceptible to condensation/hydrate formation so that cost-effective and efficient preventive/remedial actions can be taken. The analysis shows that high pressure and low temperature favor condensation/hydrate formation, and that because these conditions are more likely in the lower half of the pipeline system, remedial/preventive measures such as heating/insulation and inhibition injection should be channeled into that segment for cost optimization..