Multiphase Hydrate Induction Experiment in a Subsea Pipeline

Abstract

Formation of hydrates is one of the many challenges faced in the offshore oil and gas industry. It may result in blockage of subsea pipelines and equipment, which may result in flow line rupture and process accident. Although extensive experiment study is conducted to better understand the nucleation of hydrates and their slug flow behavior in gas-water/oil systems. However, there is limited understanding regarding the effects of multiphase fluid dynamics and geometric scales on the formation/growth of hydrates in subsea pipelines. In this paper a multiphase lab scale flow loop set-up is proposed to study the effects of pipe diameter, wall roughness, solid particles and hydrodynamic properties. The multiphase development length of a pipe for varying geometric and flow parameters is also analyzed considering three phase mixture properties. This study will help in identifying the accurate development length for gas/liquid/solid multiphase flow.