Integrated Flow Assurance Analysis from

“Reservoir to Export”

TOPSIDE PROCESS
 System Deliverability
 Dynamic Flow Simulations
 Liquid Slugging
 h
Paraffin,l Hydrates, Corrosion
 Thermal Systems Design
 Operating Procedures
 Topside Impact Evaluation
 Chemical Injection System

TRANSPORT
SYSTEM
SUBSEA PROCESSING SUBSEA PRODUCTION
SYSTEM SYSTEM

RESERVOIR

University of Houston – Spring 2013

SUBS 6310 - Flow Assurance
Phaneendra Kondapi, Ph.D.

Flow Assurance is only one of the key things

Inputs &

Field Economics Drivers

Scenario Planning
Installation &
Constructability

Integrated
Project Execution Integrated
Total Development
Project Execution
Solution

Operability Hardware
Building Blocks

Flow Assurance
Systems Approach to
Cost Effective Field
Developments
University of Houston – Spring 2013
SUBS 6310 - Flow Assurance
4 Phaneendra Kondapi, Ph.D.
2
 Typical Flow Assurance Issues

Gas Hydrates Liquid Slugging Wax / Asphaltene

Erosion Scale Corrosion

University of Houston – Spring 2013

SUBS 6310 - Flow Assurance
7 Phaneendra Kondapi, Ph.D.

Technical Challenges
· Deeper water depths
· Longer offsets/ tie-backs
· Bathymetry
· Arctic environment
· Low-energy reservoirs
· Heavy oil
· Subsea commingling
· Marginal and smaller fields
· Subsea processing
Flow assurance is key to
ensure project success!

University of Houston – Spring 2013

SUBS 6310 - Flow Assurance
8 Phaneendra Kondapi, Ph.D.

4
 Field Architecture Design Considerations
Wellbore Geometry & Reservoir
Drainage Philosophy
· Vertical vs. Deviated
· Single vs. Multiple Zones
· Natural Drive vs. Enhanced Recovery
· Smart Well Completions

Develop Conceptual Alternatives for

70 80 90 100 110
FlowlineTemperature,d
· Single satellite vs. subsea manifolds

degF
· Single flowline vs dual flowlines
Pipe-in-Pipe
Externally Coated Line

· Phasing of wells and facilities

· Thermal design and chemical injection
60
options
50

10

20

25
15
0

TimeAfterShutDown,hours
University of Houston – Spring 2013
SUBS 6310 - Flow Assurance
11 Phaneendra Kondapi, Ph.D.

Flow Assurance Design Process

· Collect a reservoir fluid sample

· Predict phase behavior
· Define reservoir performance
· Perform thermal-hydraulic analysis
· Develop system design
· Implement monitoring program
· Consider contingency plan for
remediation
· Effect of changes in fluid properties
and composition over time

University of Houston – Spring 2013

SUBS 6310 - Flow Assurance
12 Phaneendra Kondapi, Ph.D.

6
 17 kbpd (free-flow)
19 kbpd (Pump dP = 602 psi)
21 kbpd (Pump dP = 1767 psi)
23 kbpd (Not enough flowing P)

Pump
location
System modeling helps
identify design limits &
J-T Heating flow assurance issues.
across
perforations

Wellbore Flowline Riser

University of Houston – Spring 2013

SUBS 6310 - Flow Assurance
19 Phaneendra Kondapi, Ph.D.

Project Example: Bijupira and Salema

(OTC 16692 & OTC 14052 papers)
· System Line Sizing
– Flowlines & Risers
– Water Injection, gas lift
· Erosional Limits
Salema
· Hydrates / Wax
Bijupira
· Hot oil circulation
· Slugging Analysis
· Subsea Chemical Injection

Flow Assurance is a key challenge · Water injection surge

analysis
· Operability & start-up
strategy

University of Houston – Spring 2013

SUBS 6310 - Flow Assurance
Phaneendra Kondapi, Ph.D.
10