WO2014169932A1 - Dispersion de particules solides transportées dans un écoulement fluide - Google Patents

Dispersion de particules solides transportées dans un écoulement fluide Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2014169932A1
WO2014169932A1 PCT/EP2013/057775 EP2013057775W WO2014169932A1 WO 2014169932 A1 WO2014169932 A1 WO 2014169932A1 EP 2013057775 W EP2013057775 W EP 2013057775W WO 2014169932 A1 WO2014169932 A1 WO 2014169932A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
pipeline
wax
fluid flow
high shear
control section
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2013/057775
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Rainer Josef HOFFMANN
William George Clark
Original Assignee
Statoil Petroleum As
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Statoil Petroleum As filed Critical Statoil Petroleum As
Priority to PCT/EP2013/057775 priority Critical patent/WO2014169932A1/fr
Publication of WO2014169932A1 publication Critical patent/WO2014169932A1/fr

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08—CLEANING
    • B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B9/00—Cleaning hollow articles by methods or apparatus specially adapted thereto 
    • B08B9/02—Cleaning pipes or tubes or systems of pipes or tubes
    • B08B9/027—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B37/00—Methods or apparatus for cleaning boreholes or wells
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B41/00—Equipment or details not covered by groups E21B15/00 - E21B40/00
    • E21B41/0007—Equipment or details not covered by groups E21B15/00 - E21B40/00 for underwater installations
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B43/00—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
    • E21B43/01—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells specially adapted for obtaining from underwater installations
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
    • F28F—DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
    • F28F19/00—Preventing the formation of deposits or corrosion, e.g. by using filters or scrapers
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
    • F28F—DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
    • F28F19/00—Preventing the formation of deposits or corrosion, e.g. by using filters or scrapers
    • F28F19/01—Preventing the formation of deposits or corrosion, e.g. by using filters or scrapers by using means for separating solid materials from heat-exchange fluids, e.g. filters

Definitions

  • the invention relates to the field of dispersing solids carried in a fluid flow, and in particular to dispersing waxy or hydrate solids carried in a hydrocarbon fluid flow.
  • BACKGROUND Wax deposition at the inside wall of a pipeline for carrying fluid hydrocarbons is a severe problem in a hydrocarbon production infrastructure.
  • a warm hydrocarbon fluid (or mixture of fluids) oil flows through a pipeline, it comes into contact with the inner walls of the pipeline.
  • the pipeline temperature is typically lower than that of the fluid, and this can cause wax or other hydrate agglomerates to precipitate from the fluid and adhere to the pipeline inner wall. Over time, these solid deposits on the pipeline inner wall increase in thickness and consequently will reduce the internal pipeline cross-sectional area. This leads to a loss of pressure, and ultimately to a complete blockage of the pipeline.
  • the rate of deposition on the inner wall of a pipeline conducting a multiphase fluid stream of hydrocarbons varies according to several parameters, such as the surrounding temperature (subterranean, air, sea water), the fluid stream temperature, the pressure inside the pipeline, the composition of the fluid stream and the distribution of phases in the fluid stream.
  • Pigging involves passing a tool through the pipeline that removes the wax from the pipeline inner wall at regular intervals. Pigging is a complex and expensive operation. If no loop is available, a pig has to be inserted sub-sea using remote-operated vehicles. It is also a risky operation if the thickness of the wax cannot be measured or predicted. If more wax has been deposited than the pig diameter is designed for, this can result in a stuck pig.
  • Chemical inhibition involves the addition of chemicals to the fluid which inhibit wax deposition. Chemical inhibition is expensive due to the fact that an additional pipeline has to be built that supplies the chemicals to the wellhead, and the chemicals themselves are expensive. Chemical inhibition is also inefficient as there are currently no chemicals available that completely eliminate wax deposition. There is always a need of additional pigging operations to remove waxy build-up. Furthermore, the chemicals that are used are typically classified as environmentally very problematic.
  • Direct electrical heating involves heating the pipeline to maintain it at a temperature above the wax appearance temperature. Electric heating above the wax appearance temperature is very expensive due to both high installation and operational costs. Accordingly, direct electric heating is not feasible for long-distance transport.
  • US 6,656,366 describes a method for reducing solids build-up in hydrocarbon streams produced from wells. The described method is based on deposition by cooling and mechanical removal of the deposit, by using a runner as above or a helical coil mechanically removing deposits.
  • EP 334 578 describes the injection of a cold dewaxing solvent in scraping chillers for removing deposits.
  • WO 2009/051495 describes a technique in which a section of the pipeline is maintained at or cooled to a temperature below the wax formation temperature. This allows wax to build up on the inner wall of that section of the pipeline.
  • the section is subjected to periodic intervals of heating. During the heating, the solid wax that has built up on the inner wall of the pipeline does not re-dissolve, but is loosened from the inner wall in solid particles, and the solid particles are carried away from the section by the fluid flow. This gives rise to a fluid flow containing particles of solid wax.
  • the solid wax particles can be easily removed downstream.
  • wax control section A problem arises in the pipeline downstream of wax-control section.
  • a pipeline 1 having a wax control section 2.
  • the direction of fluid flow is shown by arrow 3. Upstream of the wax control section 2, the flow is predominantly fluid.
  • wax is allowed to precipitate onto the inner wall of the pipeline and is then loosened from the pipeline wall 2.
  • Solid particles 4 of wax are then carried downstream of the wax control section 2 in the fluid flow. These solid particles can themselves form blockages 5 in the pipeline if they start to agglomerate together.
  • a method of dispersing solid particles of wax or hydrate carried in a hydrocarbon fluid flow Transport equipment for transporting the hydrocarbon fluid flow is provided.
  • a wax control section is located in the transport equipment to precipitate solid wax from the hydrocarbon fluid and introduce solid particles of any of wax and hydrates in the hydrocarbon fluid flow.
  • a high shear shredder is located downstream of the wax control section. The solid particles are allowed to pass through the high shear shredder such that the action of the high shear shredder reduces the particle size of the solid particles. This has the advantage of reducing the size of larger particles, and reduces the risk of the solid particles forming blockages downstream of the high shear shredder.
  • the high shear shredder is located in a bypass pipe in fluid connection with a main pipeline.
  • the method further includes using a valve to close off the pipeline and divert the fluid flow through the bypass pipe. Prior to passing a tool through the pipeline, the valve can be opened and the tool can be passed through the pipeline.
  • the high shear shredder is a transport booster pump. It therefore performs two functions; boosting flow rate and breaking down solid particles. The solid waxy particles are not sufficiently hard to have a significant impact on the lifetime of the transport booster pump.
  • the high shear shredder is optionally located at a suitable pipeline section.
  • suitable pipeline sections include a location downstream of and close to the wax control section, and upstream of and close to a pipeline section prone to the formation of agglomerates.
  • Examples of a pipeline section prone to the formation of agglomerates include a pipeline section having a bend, a pipeline section having a change in inner diameter, and a pipeline section having a region that disrupts fluid flow.
  • a system for dispersing solid particles of any of wax and hydrate carried in a hydrocarbon fluid flow includes transport equipment for transporting the hydrocarbon fluid flow.
  • a wax control section is located in the transport equipment, the wax control section arranged to precipitate wax and introduce solid particles of any of wax and hydrates in the hydrocarbon fluid flow.
  • a high shear shredder is located downstream of the wax control section to break up any large particles of solid wax or hydrates formed in the wax control section and carried in the fluid flow.
  • the system is further provided with a bypass pipe in fluid connection with a main pipeline, wherein the high shear shredder is located in the bypass pipe.
  • a valve is also provided that can, in one configuration, divert the fluid flow through the bypass pipe, and in another configuration, allow fluid through the main pipeline.
  • the high shear shredder is optionally a transport booster pump. It therefore provides the functions of both breaking down solid particles of wax and/or hydrates, and also of maintaining pressure and fluid flow in the transport equipment.
  • the high shear is located downstream of, and close to the wax control section.
  • the high shear is located upstream of, and close to, a pipeline section prone to the formation of agglomerates.
  • the pipeline section prone to the formation of agglomerates is optionally any of a pipeline section having a bend, a pipeline section having a change in inner diameter, and a pipeline section having a region that disrupts fluid flow.
  • the wax control section comprises apparatus arranged to periodically provide a heat pulse to loosen solid wax deposited on an inner wall of the pipeline by precipitation.
  • the wax control section further comprises an apparatus arranged to cool the inner wall of the pipeline to enhance the deposition of solid wax on the inner wall of the pipeline prior to loosening the solid wax.
  • Figure 1 illustrates schematically a cross section side view of a pipeline with a wax control section
  • Figure 2 illustrates schematically a cross section side view of an exemplary pipeline with a wax control section and a shredder
  • Figure 3 illustrates schematically a further side view of an exemplary pipeline with a wax control section and two shredders
  • FIG. 4 is a flow diagram showing an exemplary process.
  • waxy and hydrate solids that form in a pipeline and are carried by fluid flow can agglomerate together and block certain sections of the pipeline, particularly where the fluid flow changes. Fluid flow may change, for example, at a bend in the pipeline.
  • Blockages typically form when large solid particles agglomerate together. Smaller solid particles fit into the interstices of the agglomerate, and so over time the blockage can prevent fluid flow altogether.
  • Providing a shredder within the pipeline will not impede the fluid flow, but will break down any solid wax or hydrate carried in the fluid flow to reduce their particle size.
  • the provision of a shredder to reduce the particle size reduces the risk of solid agglomerates of wax and/or hydrates forming which could form a blockage within the pipe.
  • a pipeline 1 is provided with a wax control section 2 that typically comprises at least a heater for loosening solid waxy deposits that have precipitated on the inner wall of the pipeline 1.
  • a wax control section 2 typically comprises at least a heater for loosening solid waxy deposits that have precipitated on the inner wall of the pipeline 1.
  • the solid particles that break away from the inner wall of the pipeline 1 are carried away by the fluid flow (the direction of which is shown by arrow 3). It is difficult to control the size of the solid particles that are carried in the fluid flow.
  • a high shear pump 6 is located in the pipeline downstream of the wax control section 2. As the solid particles pass through the high shear pump 6, the high shear pump 6 acts as a shredder to break up the solid particles into smaller solid particles. This ensures that large solid particles do not continue downstream in the fluid flow and therefore reduces the risk of particles agglomerating to form a blockage within the pipeline 1 .
  • the high shear pump 6 is typically a multiphase pump which has the additional purpose of maintaining fluid flow rate and pressure along the pipeline 1.
  • the waxy and/or hydrate solids are not hard enough to increase erosion of the high shear pump 6, and so the lifetime of the high shear pump 6 is no shorter than it would otherwise be without the presence of waxy/hydrate solids.
  • FIG. 2 only shows one high shear pump 6, it will be appreciated that over the length of a pipeline, many high shear pumps 6 may be provided at strategic locations. While the primary purpose of the pump may be to maintain fluid flow and pressure in the pipeline 1 , the locations of the pumps 6 can be selected to reduce the risk of blockages, as shown in Figure 3.
  • Figure 3 shows a high shear pump 6 located close to and downstream of a wax control section 2 to reduce the pipeline distance over which large solid particles are carried. Furthermore, a high shear pump 6 is also located upstream of a physical feature 7 of the pipeline 1 that may be prone to allowing solid agglomerates to form. Examples of such physical features include sharp bends in the pipeline, regions of the pipeline where the inner diameter changes, and regions of the pipeline where other equipment intrudes to disrupt the fluid flow through the pipeline 1.
  • FIG. 1 shows an example in which a pipeline section 8 that would otherwise carried the fluid flow is closed off by one of more valves 9, 10.
  • a bypass 1 1 is provided for the fluid flow, and the high shear pump 6 is located in the bypass 1 1.
  • valves 9, 10 are closed and the fluid flow goes into the bypass 1 1 , through the high shear pump 6, and out of the bypass. In the event of a pigging operation or other intervention where a tool is passed through the pipeline 1 , the valves 9, 10 are opened to allow a pig or tool to pass through the pipeline 1 .
  • a high shear shredder 6 for reducing the particle size of waxy and/or hydrate solids is located in a bypass 1 1 , with a valve 9 in the main pipeline 1 arranged to either divert fluid flow through the bypass 1 1 or allow fluid flow through the main pipeline 1.
  • the high shear shredder is a transport booster pump that serves to maintain fluid pressure and flow rate in addition to reducing the particle size of solids in the fluid flow.
  • valve 9 in the main pipeline 1 remains closed and hydrocarbon fluid flow is diverted through the bypass 1 1 before returning to the main pipeline section 1 .
  • step S4 If no pigging or other type of intervention operation is required, then the process reverts to step S3. If a pigging or other type of intervention is required, then the process continues at step S5.
  • a pig or other type of tool is passed through the main pipeline 1 , but not through the bypass 1 1 , to perform the normal pigging or other operation.
  • step S3 After the pig or tool has passed through the main pipeline and beyond the bypass 1 1 , the valve 9 is closed again to ensure that fluid flow is diverted through the bypass 1 1. The process reverts to step S3.
  • a high shear shredder is a high shear transport booster pump, and the high shear transport booster pump can be used to both enhance fluid transport and reduce the particle size of solid waxy particles, it will be appreciate that other types of shredder may be used. Furthermore, a shredder may be dedicated solely to reducing the particles size of solid waxy particles and need not also be used to enhance fluid transport.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Geology (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Processing Of Solid Wastes (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un procédé et un appareil pour disperser des particules solides (4) de cire ou d'hydrate transportées dans un écoulement de fluide hydrocarbure. Une section de contrôle de cire (2) est située dans un équipement de transport pour transporter un hydrocarbure fluide, la section de contrôle de cire (2) étant agencée pour précipiter une cire solide à partir du fluide hydrocarbure et introduire des particules solides (4) de l'un quelconque d'une cire et d'hydrates dans l'écoulement de fluide hydrocarbure. Un broyeur à cisaillement élevé (6) est situé en aval de la section de contrôle de cire (2). On laisse passer les particules solides (4) à travers le broyeur à cisaillement élevé (6) de sorte que l'action du broyeur à cisaillement élevé (6) réduise la taille de particule des particules solides (4).
PCT/EP2013/057775 2013-04-15 2013-04-15 Dispersion de particules solides transportées dans un écoulement fluide WO2014169932A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/EP2013/057775 WO2014169932A1 (fr) 2013-04-15 2013-04-15 Dispersion de particules solides transportées dans un écoulement fluide

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PCT/EP2013/057775 WO2014169932A1 (fr) 2013-04-15 2013-04-15 Dispersion de particules solides transportées dans un écoulement fluide

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN109736758A (zh) * 2019-01-10 2019-05-10 中国地质大学（武汉） 一种解除凝析气井回压管线内水合物的仪器及方法

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0334578A2 (fr) 1988-03-21 1989-09-27 Exxon Research And Engineering Company Méthode de déparaffinage avec emploi de solvant par injection en multiples endroits de solvant refroidi dans des refroidisseurs de déparaffinage à surface raclée
WO2000025062A1 (fr) * 1998-10-27 2000-05-04 Leiv Eiriksson Nyfotek As Procede et systeme de transport d'hydrocarbures liquides renfermant de l'eau
US6070417A (en) 1999-03-29 2000-06-06 Benson; Robert A. Method for making slurry
US6656366B1 (en) 1999-07-12 2003-12-02 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Method for reducing solids buildup in hydrocarbon streams produced from wells
WO2007095399A2 (fr) * 2006-03-15 2007-08-23 Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company procédé de production d'une boue hydratée non obstruante
WO2009051495A1 (fr) 2007-10-19 2009-04-23 Statoilhydro Asa Procédé de retrait de cire et de mesure de l'épaisseur de cire
US20100012325A1 (en) * 2008-07-17 2010-01-21 Vetco Gray Scandinavia As System and method for sub-cooling hydrocarbon production fluid for transport
WO2011062793A1 (fr) * 2009-11-18 2011-05-26 Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company Appareil, système et procédés de génération d'une bouillie d'hydrates ne créant pas de bouchons

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0334578A2 (fr) 1988-03-21 1989-09-27 Exxon Research And Engineering Company Méthode de déparaffinage avec emploi de solvant par injection en multiples endroits de solvant refroidi dans des refroidisseurs de déparaffinage à surface raclée
WO2000025062A1 (fr) * 1998-10-27 2000-05-04 Leiv Eiriksson Nyfotek As Procede et systeme de transport d'hydrocarbures liquides renfermant de l'eau
US6070417A (en) 1999-03-29 2000-06-06 Benson; Robert A. Method for making slurry
US6656366B1 (en) 1999-07-12 2003-12-02 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Method for reducing solids buildup in hydrocarbon streams produced from wells
WO2007095399A2 (fr) * 2006-03-15 2007-08-23 Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company procédé de production d'une boue hydratée non obstruante
WO2009051495A1 (fr) 2007-10-19 2009-04-23 Statoilhydro Asa Procédé de retrait de cire et de mesure de l'épaisseur de cire
US20100012325A1 (en) * 2008-07-17 2010-01-21 Vetco Gray Scandinavia As System and method for sub-cooling hydrocarbon production fluid for transport
WO2011062793A1 (fr) * 2009-11-18 2011-05-26 Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company Appareil, système et procédés de génération d'une bouillie d'hydrates ne créant pas de bouchons

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN109736758A (zh) * 2019-01-10 2019-05-10 中国地质大学（武汉） 一种解除凝析气井回压管线内水合物的仪器及方法

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