A Study of Hydrate Inhibition for Deepwater Gas Field Development

For deepwater subsea tie-back gas field development, hydrate tends to be formed in deepwater subsea production system and gas pipeline due to high pressure and low temperature. Based on the gas field A development, this paper studies the selection of hydrate inhibitors and injection points, i.e. different injection points with different inhibitors. Transient and steady flow simulations are performed using the OLGA software widely used for multiphase flow pipeline study in the world. The produced water flow rate affects the hydrate inhibition in case of well opening, including cases of different times with different water temperatures. This paper presents the calculation of the maximum inhibitor injection rate in the subsea pipeline by taking the whole production years into consideration. The measures on hydrate remediation are taken by quickly relieving the subsea pipeline pressure from wellheads and the platform according to different hydrate locations. Now more and more deepwater gas fields are developed in South China Sea and around the world. The experience obtained from the gas field A development will benefit the hydrate inhibition for future deepwater gas field development.