SINTEF Petroleum Research

COLD FLOW

Roar Larsen, SINTEF Petroleum Research

SINTEF Petroleum Research

What is Cold Flow ?

Transport of production fluids at conditions in thermal
equilibrium with the surroundings, with hydrates and
waxes precipitated no extreme temperatures needed!
Our definition also requires:
NO chemical solids inhibition, and - in particular no antiagglomerant hydrate slurry producers,
NO pipeline or component heating,
NO pipeline insulation,
just bare steel pipelines, exposed to sea, with a slurry
that is easily transportable, able to go through longlasting shut-ins, re-dispersing at restart, etc.

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Hydrate development
with time or distance,
into inert powder
(with highlysticky
phases in transit)
recognized by SINTEF
in early 1990s

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Hydrate growth - standard

Hydrate layer

Hydrate nucleus

Water

Time

Water

Time

Water

Sticky
hydrates

Oil/Condensate

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Some experimental findings

Water spreading on steel, ice, and hydrate

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Early experiments

Water spreading on steel (top), and hydrate (bottom)

KKT: Marita Wolden

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Wetting

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Competitive Wetting

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Hydrate growth "improved"

Water

Hydrate

Hydrate

Oil/Condensate

Dry, inert, easily

flowable hydrate
powder

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The simple solution?

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The simple solution!

Oil
Condensate
Water
Gas

Split
Inert slurry

WELL
Recirculation

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ColdFlow Principle
A stabilised wellstream containing
non plugging
hydrate and wax
particles.

Hot oil, gas (+brine)

produced from
reservoir.

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Wax deposition effects

With the Cold Flow process

Pigging test rig with rubber disc pigs

Without the Cold Flow
process

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Reduced CAPEX with Cold Flow

Lower cost tie-backs; ~$100 million reduction
compared to conventional designs (BP)
Eliminates high cost passive and active
insulation / heating solutions single bare steel
pipelines
Long tie-backs to shallow water host
Eliminate deepwater surface-piercing structures
Easier deepwater installation
Produce directly from subsea to shore

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Main Source of Business Value

Capex Reduction
00

Capex Saving $MM

Capex Saving From

Reduced Workscope
Single uninsulated
vs. twin insulated

Overall Capex
Reduction

30% ?

Flowline &
Riser Savings

Cold Flow
Seabed Costs

Incremental
Pumping

Incremental
Topsides

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Reduced OPEX with Cold Flow

Eliminates or reduces need for chemical
injection (MeOH, MEG...)
Less need for platform personnel
Long tie-backs to shallow water host
Eliminate deep water surface-piercing structures
Production directly from subsea to shore

Improved production
Removes hydrate / wax blockage risk
Might reduce corrosion due to water being locked up as hydrate
Simpler operation, steady operation, low maintenance

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Improved HSE with Cold Flow

Lower numbers of offshore personnel reduced risk
Fewer surface-piercing offshore structures
Removes hydrate / wax blockage risk with potential
personnel risk
Reduced usage / handling of harmful chemicals
Reduced / zero emission of harmful chemicals to sea
(methanol, glycols, LDHI etc.)
Reduced energy input for heating pipelines (and
thereby reduces CO2 emissions)

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Opening up a new satellite world...

Overall
conclusion:
Traditional ~ 40 km?
Cold Flow is a potential Game-Changing
technology for Flow Assurance in liquid-dominated
hydrocarbon systems,
both for new developments in mature regions,
Flow:
and for newCold
challenges
in deep and/or harsh
200+ km = 25 times original area!
environments

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SATURN Cold Flow Technology

JIP program, 2008-2011
Current partners: BP and StatoilHydro

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