FLOW ASSURANCE OPERATIONAL PROBLEMS IN NATURAL GAS PIPELINE TRANSPORTATION NETWORKS IN NIGERIA AND ITS MODELING USING OLGA AND PVTSIM SIMULATORS

Igwilo, K. C. and Okoro, Emeka Emmanuel and Anawe, Paul Apeye Lucky and Okolie, T. A. Sociis and Aduma, Onisobuana Cyril (2018) FLOW ASSURANCE OPERATIONAL PROBLEMS IN NATURAL GAS PIPELINE TRANSPORTATION NETWORKS IN NIGERIA AND ITS MODELING USING OLGA AND PVTSIM SIMULATORS. Petroleum and Coal, 60 (1). pp. 79-98. ISSN 1337-7027

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Abstract

The challenges associated with natural gas Pipeline flow assurance is an increasingly important issue as the world supply for natural gas expands, and is expected to rise more strongly to match the global demand for a cleaner energy. Flow assurance challenges in pipelines include hydrate formation, paraffin wax deposition, asphaltene deposition, sand deposits, black powder, and on the wall of pipelines, all of which obstruct the flow of well fluids and associated produced hydrocarbons. This study addressed these flow assurance concerns from a technical view by quantifying the threats and establishing appropriate mitigation schemes, leading to designed solutions and operational procedures. Modeling and simulation approach was adopted to achieve the overall aim. The simulation software tools PVTsim and OLGA were used for both steady state and dynamic states. The phase envelope investigation indicates that the cricondentherm within the constraint of the delivery temperature. The slugging analysis, indicates that hydrodynamic slugging will not be predominant for the pipeline operations at the design flow rate of 30MMscfd along Alakiri – Obigbo, and at 70MMscfd along the Obigbo Tie-in - Intermediate scrap station; as the flow regimes are mainly stratified for both pipeline systems. From the hydrate analysis investigated, after a shutdown period (no-touch time); hydrate threat is envisaged during the shutdown period of the Intermediate scraper trap – ALSCON along pipeline system, since the temperature drops to the hydrate formation temperature.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	T Technology > TP Chemical technology
Divisions:	Faculty of Engineering, Science and Mathematics > School of Engineering Sciences
Depositing User:	Dr Emeka Okoro
Date Deposited:	07 Jun 2018 08:52
Last Modified:	07 Jun 2018 10:58
URI:	http://eprints.covenantuniversity.edu.ng/id/eprint/10880

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