(148a) Hydrate Blockage Formation

A primary focus of Flow Assurance Engineers during project development is the management of gas hydrates.  Traditionally is was realized that no blockage could form if no hydrates formed. The past decade as seen intensive research to discover ways of allowing hydrate formation yet safely managing the flow in the project production system with maximum uptime and safety.  Early attempts focused on ”low dosage” chemical additives called AA’s or antiagglomerate chemicals.  These chemicals could accelerate the formation of hydrates while simultaneously limiting the total growth and dispersing the hydrates in the hydrocarbon liquid phase.

More recently researchers have sought methods to physically manage hydrate formation in a more holistic manner.  This requires some detailed knowledge of how blockages are formed.  This presentation will discuss the mechanisms of blockage formation and how this knowledge enhance the ability of production operators to successfully produce fluids with “natural” inhibition.