Flow Assurance

Abstract

This article provides an overview of flow assurance analysis required for design, operation, and maintenance of petroleum fluid flow in a production system. Of specific importance is formation of solids in the production stream, causing deposition/plug of pipelines and processing vessels. The solids are sands, scales, waxes, hydrates, and asphaltenes. Each of those components or their combination presents challenges for designers and operators. The second aspect is erosion caused by multiphase flow, especially when solids are present. The third is liquid flow rate fluctuation (severe slugging or liquid surge) exceeding the process facilities handling capacities. Flow assurance refers to the methods and technologies ensuring successful and economical flow of hydrocarbon stream from reservoir to the point of sale. The term was coined by Petrobras in the early 1990s. Flow assurance requires knowledge of extremely diverse sciences, testing skills from different engineering disciplines. For flow assurance analysis of the production system, fluid sampling and laboratory tests are the foundation; steady and transient multiphase simulation are the basic requirements; and knowledge of production chemistry and operations are the necessities. Flow assurance engineers provide the system operating information and help facilities engineers and operators to design and effectively prevent/manage solid deposits such as, gas hydrates, asphaltene, wax, and scales (inorganic and/or naphthenates). Flow assurance review is a critical task during deep water petroleum asset development and operations. The financial loss from production interruption or asset damage due to flow assurance mishap can be astronomical. The following sections present the basic concepts and analysis methods of flow assurance technologies.

An Overview of Flow Assurance Heat Management Systems in Subsea Flowlines

“…Flow assurance is the capacity to generate multiphase fluids from the reservoirs to processing plants in a technically and economically viable way throughout the field's life [8]; the production goal seeks to guarantee the most favorable flow rates at an anticipatable condition in all production equipment carrying produced fluids beginning at the reservoirwellbore to the treatment/refinery facility [9]. In recent years, flow assurance is seen as the most critical task in the subsea energy production and systems operation [10][11][12] that causes financial losses based on production interference and destruction in flowline or surface facilities due to solid deposits [13,14]. It is employed to the petroleum flow path during all stages of production, including system selection, surveillance, detailed design, operation troubleshooting, increased late-life recovery, etc.…”