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Flow Assurance with

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 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA - EXERCISES

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. OIL PRODUCTION AND SLUGGING ................................................ 3

1.1 The story.................................................................................... 3
1.2 The data .................................................................................... 3
1.3 The task..................................................................................... 4
1.4 Preliminary Pipeline Sizing ........................................................ 4
1.5 Terrain Slugging – Normal Operation...................................... 14
1.6 Terrain Slugging – Mitigation Alternatives ............................... 16
1.7 Production Ramp-up................................................................ 18
1.8 Slugtracking Module ................................................................ 18

2. PVTSIM – FLUID PROPERTIES...................................................... 21

2.1 Gas Condensate Fluid Property File ....................................... 22
2.2 Harthun Fluid Property File...................................................... 25
2.3 Mixing condensate and water.................................................. 26

3. YOU GET A FAX – RESULTS WITHIN TWO HOURS? .................. 27

4. PIPELINE SHUT-IN AND START-UP .............................................. 30

4.1 Shutdown Simulations ............................................................. 32
4.2 Start-up Simulations ................................................................ 34
4.3 Depressuring Simulations (OPTIONAL) .................................. 35

5. GAS CONDENSATE PIPELINE....................................................... 36

5.1 Geometry Modification............................................................. 36
5.2 Steady State Simulations ........................................................ 40
5.3 Pigging Simulations ................................................................. 41
5.4 Turndown Ramp-up (Optional) ................................................ 42

6. THREE PHASE FLOW – WATER MODULE ................................... 43

7. SEPARATORS AND CONTROLLERS (OPTIONAL) ...................... 44

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 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – SLUGGING EXERCISE

1. OIL PRODUCTION AND SLUGGING

1.1 The story

The Harthun field has recently been discovered, located south of the existing Wigoth Alfa
platform. It is proposed to develop Harthun via a single subsea wellhead and pipeline to the
Wigoth Alfa platform to allow the field potential to be fully assessed during an extended test
phase prior to full field development. There is an existing riser on Wigoth Alfa which was pre-
installed during the construction phase of the platform to accommodate future sub-sea field
developments.

Wighot Alpha

300 m

255 m
Harthun

4.3 km

Recent topsides modifications on Wigoth Alfa involving the installation of multiphase well test
meters has allowed the existing Test Separator to be used as a dedicated Harthun production
separator. The Test Separator operating pressure is to be maintained constant to allow the
gas from Harthun to be fed to the export compression system.

1.2 The data

The Harthun well-head is on sea-bed in a water depth of 255 m and it is located 4.3 km from
the Wigoth Alfa riser base. The Wigoth Alfa platform stands in 270 m of water with the
production deck located 30 m above sea level. The riser at Wigoth Alfa is vertical and 300 m
high with 4 inch diameter. The riser has an internal diameter of 0.1 m with a steel wall
thickness of 7.5 mm and no insulation. There is a 100 m horizontal top-side pipe with the
same properties as for the riser. A common pipe roughness is assumed to be 0.028 mm.

The Test Separator pressure is constant 50 bara.

It can be assumed that the minimum required arrival temperature at Wigoth Alfa is 27°C (to
avoid wax formation). The maximum allowable pipeline inlet pressure is 80 bara at a flowrate
of 15 kg/s.

The flowing wellhead temperature is assumed to be constant at 62°C.

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 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – SLUGGING EXERCISE

The properties of pipe steel and insulation can be assumed to be as follows:-

Material Density Specific Heat Thermal

[kg/m³] [J/kg/K] Conductivity
[W/m/K]
Steel 7850 500 50
Insulation 1000 1500 0.135

The minimum ambient temperature can be assumed to be 6°C. The ambient heat transfer
coefficient, (from the outside of the pipe structure to the surroundings), can be assumed to be
6.5 W/m²/C for the entire pipeline-riser system - in the absence of any other data.

In the absence of any fluid compositions, the fluid file (Wigoth.tab) generated for Wigoth shall
be used. (The fluid from Harthun is thought to be very similar to the Wigoth well stream fluid.)

1.3 The task

You are required to perform a study into the technical viability of producing Harthun over
Wigoth Alfa, taking account of the following:-

• pipeline size (inner diameter) and insulation required

• production in-stabilities during well testing as well as full production
• in case of instabilities you shall evaluate various mitigation
alternatives

You will also have to estimate maximum liquid surge volumes into the separator.

A number of hints have been prepared to help you to complete this task. It is recommended
that you read these prior to commencing each activity.

(In Exercise 3 you will extend the model you make here and study
- insulation requirements during a shut-down/cool-down
- establish any limitations due to the existing topsides facilities during
both normal and transient operations)

1.4 Preliminary Pipeline Sizing

The first task is to establish the pipeline size and insulation level required to achieve the
desired production and turndown rates. This can be done by performing a series of steady
state simulations. However, there is very little information currently available, specifically, there
is no seabed profile with the only information being the water depth at the Harthun well-head
and the existing platform information. Consequently, you will need to assume a rough pipeline
profile.

HINTS:

The steady state simulations should be performed for two flowrates, specifically, 5 and 15 kg/s.
The lower flowrate dictates the insulation level required and the highest dictates the pipeline
inner diameter. In other words: since insulation and steel cost money you shall determine the
minimum insulation required at minimum flowrate and the minimum inner pipe diameter
allowed at maximum flowrate. In the first case the arrival temperature (at the outlet of the
topside pipe) must be above and as close as possible to 27 C and in the latter case the
pressure at the pipeline inlet must be below and as close as possible to 80 bara.

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 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – SLUGGING EXERCISE

Also observe that steel-pipe and insulation normally are produced in standard sizes /thickness
which means that you only check with certain increments in size/thickness.

Starting

Create a new project in the directory

 FA Exercises OLGA 5.0
 Harthun
called {Steady State.opp}
Please do not work in the Solutions directory.
Create a new case called {Steady State.opi} based
on the OLGA Basic Case Template.

This will create a complete case which can be run.

Expand the case in the Model View window so that
the entire model can be visualised. The template
now needs to be edited to reflect the current project.

Update the {FILES PVTFILE} to Wighot.tab. You find this fluid file in the Harthun directory.

The initial line sizing will be done using OLGA as a conventional steady state simulator,
therefore, the ENDTIME specified under INTEGRATION should be set to the same value as
the STARTTIME, i.e. 0 seconds.

(Remember to use the Verify button to establish where there are errors in the simulation
model).

Options
Select CaseDefinition and Options and change Phase to TWO (i.e. no water).

Pipe walls
It is good practise to modify the default labels to labels which make sense. This will help not
only you to understand the model but also the quality assurance checkers and most
importantly the course instructors to understand your model. For example, the first material is
steel, so change the label from the default ‘MATER-1’ to ‘Steel’, the second material, ‘MATER-
2’, is insulation so rename it accordingly.
Remember to check / change the material properties according to the table in the Data chapter
above.

There are two pre-defined pipe wall

structures WALL-1 and WALL-2. (You
may re-label WALL-1 to e.g. W-Pipeline
for the pipeline and to W-Riser for the
riser/topside piping.) When you have
updated the relevant labels select e.g. W-
Pipeline and the down icon for
MATERIALS in the Wall Properties.

Move the original material labels to the left

and substitute with the new ones.

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 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – SLUGGING EXERCISE

Keep the steel layer for both walls (!) and also keep one
insulation layer for the pipeline wall but remove both insulation
layers for the riser wall.
The initial thickness of the insulation layer shall be 20 mm
(which you may have to change later).

Pipe profile
Change the LABEL of the GEOMETRY to
PRELIMINARY and adjust the ‘Y’ coordinate of the
start of the pipeline to -255 m, (corresponding to the
water depth at Harthun and assuming sea-level to be
at Y = 0).

Changing the coordinates of the nodes will allow the

pipeline profile to be visualised in 3 dimensions. You
should therefore adjust the ‘Y’ coordinate of the INLET
node to the same elevation as the start of the pipeline
and also change the LABEL to Harthun Wellhead.

You will also need to change the ‘X’ and ‘Y’

coordinates of the OUTLET node and change it's
LABEL to Wigoth Test Sep.

Remember to specify the outlet pressure as 50 bara

and you should set the gas fraction as 1, (i.e. only gas
will flow back into the pipeline). The separator
temperature can be assumed to be 27°C, (the
minimum allowable arrival temperature).

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 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – SLUGGING EXERCISE

A preliminary pipeline profile is provided.

Activate the Geometry Editor to re-model the predefined geometry to achieve the model below.
Notice the short, horizontal top-side pipe.

Select FILE -> EXIT and Yes to Update Geometry.

You can now ensure that the FLUID identifier in FLOWPATH -> BRANCH is correct (should be
"1")

Source
The inlet flowrate is to be specified using the SOURCE. Change the LABEL to Harthun. Set
the TEMPERATURE to 62 C and GASFRACTION equal to -1. This means that the fluid table
will be used to establish the ratio of gas to hydrocarbon liquid present in the SOURCE flowrate.
The SOURCE temperature and local pressure are taken into account in establishing the
equilibrium gas mass fraction. (Since we specified the case as two-phase (gas and
hydrocarbon liquid) the SOURCE WATERFRACTION is 0, i.e. no water.)

Heat transfer
The template case you used has a pre-defined heat transfer specification which needs to be
slightly modified: If you remove PIPE-1 in the Property window of HEATTRANSFER
:HEATTRANSFER[1] , the specification is ok.

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 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – SLUGGING EXERCISE

Simulation results to display

To visualise the results of the simulations the following output specifications need to be given,
as a minimum . Remember that the variables specified in the OUTPUTDATA keyword will
export the data to the *.out file which allows you to view the data in a text editor. (This file
contains a copy of the textual input file and certain other useful information from the case).

Variables specified under TRENDDATA and PROFILEDATA will be able to be viewed

graphically using the GUI.
By specifying variables under the PLOT key you may animate the output with the embedded
program "OLGA Viewer".

Add OUTPUTDATA

Specify the following variables to be exported to the output file (DTOUT is predefined as every
hour)

• Liquid hold-up (HOL)

• Pressure (PT)
• Temperature (TM)
• Flow Regime Indicator (ID)

Do not care to specify position. This means that you get the variables specified printed for all
calculation sections in your system.
Remember that some variables (HOL, PT and TM) are volume variables which are averaged
properties for each pipe section whilst ID is a boundary variable, i.e. it is plotted at the edge of
each pipeline section (section boundary).

The flow regime indicator will output a code which corresponds to a certain flow regime. The
codes are:-

1 Stratified Wavy Flow

2 Annular Flow
3 Hydrodynamic Slug Flow
4 Dispersed Bubble Flow

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 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – SLUGGING EXERCISE

Specify the following variables to be written to the trend1 file (*.tpl file) every 10 seconds,
(Select TREND and change DTPLOT in the Property window from 15 to 10 s).

Delete the pre-defined TRENDDATA under FLOWPATH -> Output (this is actually the
quickest way for the time being)

Add one new TRENDDATA entry:

Specify flowline inlet pressure (PT) and temperature (TM). Copy this TRENDDATA entry and
Paste. In the new TRENDDATA you modify the position to be the outlet of the top-side pipe.

Add two new entries: in the first you plot the total mass flowrate (GT), the volumetric gas
flowrate (QG) and the volumetric flowrate of total liquid (QLT) out of the topsides piping.

In the last TRENDDATA you specify the total amount of liquid (LIQC) in the pipeline as function
of time. LIQC is a "BRANCH" – variable and thus you do not specify any local position.

If you need to edit your TREND specifications you may open a library function by Right clicking
on a TRENDDATA entry and select e.g. Local Instances:

This opens a table with all your TRENDDATA entries for that Flowpath:

1
Remember that this keyword plots the variables as a function of time. The variables may be at a particular point
in the pipeline network or variables which relate to individual flowpaths or to the entire simulation model. These variables
are of different type and cannot be mixed in one single trend specification.

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 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – SLUGGING EXERCISE

You may now edit the entries. Moreover, by Right clicking in a column header you can sort etc.
and select which columns should be visible 2.

Add PROFILEDATA ( which can be done from the Flowpath-level OUTPUT if you want it only
for specific Flowpath(s) or from the Case-level OUTPUT (if you want it to apply to all
Flowpaths in your network):

Specify the following variables to be written to the

profile file (*.ppl file) every 5 minutes:

• Liquid hold-up (HOL)

• Pressure (PT)
• Temperature (TM)
• Flow Regime Indicator (ID)

Finally, select {OUTPUTÆ ADDÆPLOT} on the Case level OUTPUT:

Set DTPLOT to 5 s and select the variables (HOL, PT and QLT)

2
This is a general library function which will be available for most of the OLGA model components

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 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – SLUGGING EXERCISE

Run

Save and run the simulation model with an inlet flowrate of 15 kg/s to ensure that the case runs
(remember to set ENDTIME = 0 in INTEGRATION).

Then use the Parametric Studies tool to create and run steady state simulations for the
flowrate of 15 kg/s over a range of pipeline internal diameters 8, 10, 12 and 14 cm. Keep the
diameter for the riser and topsides as they are.

Establish the correct pipeline size and then update the model (excluding the riser and top-
side). Then you determine the insulation level required to achieve the desired arrival
temperature (assuming that the two targets are independent).

The parametric study option is accessed from the Tools menu as shown.

The Parametric Study window is then opened.

Select the number of #Parameters to be studied (which is one since the parameter to be
studied is the pipeline diameter (of PIPE-1) at the high flowrate 15 kg/s).

Right click in Case and select Insert Case and repeat until
the desired number of cases have been created.

Toggle the Decoration field to select:

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 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – SLUGGING EXERCISE

Right click on the next column header and select the primary system parameter
(FLOWPATH:PIPELINE) and the sub-parameter to be adjusted (select PIPE-1 – and move it
to the right window and then select DIAMETER )

Fill in the value for the sub-parameter for each case. Be aware of the unit.
You may have to toggle the Decoration and Case labels to obtain the desired result.

Once completed, the parametric study may be run by clicking on [Run Study].

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 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – SLUGGING EXERCISE

View the results (inlet pressure) as either a Trend (in OLGA 5 you may plot a trend even if you
have only one point at time = 0. In this case the time scale is artificial from 0 to 1), or a profile
plot to find the required pipeline diameter.

Update the base model with the correct pipeline diameter (if needed). Also change the Source
flowrate to 5 kg/s to establish the minimum insulation needed.

The effect of changing the insulation levels may also be determined with a parametric study.
Make a new study to determine the insulation thickness needed to obtain the correct arrival
temperature at a flowrate of 5 kg/s. (Hint: the parameter to vary is the THICKNESS of the
wall W-Pipeline which is specified under the primary model feature Library. The parameter
THICKNESS holds all the wall layers and in this case there are 2; the innermost layer is a 9
mm steel-layer while the insulation layer is the next layer of 20 mm. Increase the total
insulation thickness in increments of 5 mm.).

Below you see a panel which describes a set-up for the parametric study.

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 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – SLUGGING EXERCISE

As a result of the above parametric variation, you should now have established the pipeline
size required to achieve the desired production rates and established the minimum insulation
level required on the pipeline. The pipeline model should now be updated to reflect this
configuration.

1.5 Terrain Slugging – Normal Operation

The Project Pipeline Engineer has now provided a more detailed pipeline profile from Harthun
to Wigoth Alfa. This profile is presented below.

Location Distance Water Depth # of Sections

(X Coordinate) (Y Coordinate)
[m] [m]
Wellhead 0 -255
1,000 -255 5
1,400 -250 2
1,800 -255 2
3,400 -255 8
Riser Base 4,300 -270 6
Riser Top 4,300 30 6
Topsides 4,400 30 2

It is suspected that terrain slugging may cause serious problems to the process facilities on the
platform due to the presence of a low point at the riser base. The purpose of this exercise is to
establish the possibility of severe slugging in the Harthun riser.

Determine the extent of terrain slugging by varying the pipeline inlet flow rate (i.e. at well head)
by creating 3 different cases at flowrates of 5 kg/s, 10 kg/s and 15 kg/s -to avoid overwriting
the results.

Each simulation should be run for 2 hours, i.e. remember to change the ENDTIME in
INTEGRATION to 2 hours.

HINTS:
Create a new project called {Slugging.opp} and open the steady state case with the correct
insulation level and pipeline diameter.

Duplicate and name the new case {Slug 5.opi}. It is recommended that the original case is
removed from the new project to avoid inadvertent editing.

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 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – SLUGGING EXERCISE

The new pipeline profile can be entered directly in the Geometry editor. The following is a
straight forward way of doing this.
Select Tools ÆGeometry EditorÆ FileÆ New Æ Save as Æ e.g. GeoNew.geo

Insert 6 new pipes (right click in pipe –label).

Enter the new X-Y values by starting from the last pipe.
Enter diameter of pipe-line and the original 0.1 m for the
riser–top-side. Enter the number of sections from the table above.
Note the transition in PIPE-5 from the pipeline section lengths to the riser
section length, (3 sections of 200 m followed by a section of 150 m, a section
of 100 m and a final section of 50.125 m).
Use a common roughness of 0.028 mm.
The walls are not available before the case Geometry has been updated.

The (recommended) profile-data for this case is presented below.

NB! Keep the GeoNew.geo open and select the OLGA GUI main window and then Exchange
Geometry:

You can now Exit the Geometry Editor (File Exit) (you may of course save the new geometry).

Now you must update the pipes with Walls and adjust TREND positions to reflect the new
Geometry, e.g. :

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 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – SLUGGING EXERCISE

and exchange PIPE-3 with PIPE-7 in the Trend specifications.

Once the case {Slug 5.opi} is correct duplicate it two times. Call the new files {Slug 10.opi} and
{Slug 15.opi} and change the flowrate accordingly. Note that this study could also be
performed using a parametric study but in this case use separate cases as the results will be
required for subsequent simulations and some simulations will be modified later.

You can start and run the 3 cases by using Run Project
Batch.

Compare the cases by checking the total liquid volume

flow out of the flowline and the pressure at the inlet using
trend plots. It is also recommended that the flow regime is
checked along the length of the pipeline for each case
(profile plot).

When you have opened the e.g. Trend plot tool

for one case you may open the trend-files for
the other 2 cases, to compare.

1.6 Terrain Slugging – Mitigation Alternatives

A number of mitigation options have been identified to prevent severe slugging in the riser.

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 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – SLUGGING EXERCISE

Two of them are:-

• Choking the flow at the top of the platform
• Injecting gas at the bottom of the riser

It is recommended that these exercises be performed as a new project. Close your current
project and make a new (call it e.g. {Terrain Mitigation.opp} ). Open the 5 kg/s case {Slug
5.opi} to the new project and create two duplicate cases, (<File> <Duplicate Case...>), and call
the new files {Topsides Choke.opi} and {Gas Lift.opi}. Then Remove the Slug 5.opi case from
the project to avoid unintended editing.

Topsides Choking.
A valve is added by right
clicking on the flowpath
as shown.

Define a choke with the VALVE key at PIPE-7,

section boundary 2. Specify a diameter of 0.1 m.
The discharge coefficient (CD) has a default
value of 0.84. Start with a value for
OPENING of 0.12 (i.e. 12% of
full cross sectional area). Change CRITFLOWMODEL to
SUBCRITICAL

Decrease the valve opening. Try the following openings:

0.10, 0.04 and 0.02. This sensitivity may be done using a
parametric study to allow the results of the different openings to
be compared.
Plot QLT out of the topside pipe and PT at the inlet.

What is the valve opening required to stabilize the flow at 5 kg/s

and what is the down side of this option?

Gas Lift
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 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – SLUGGING EXERCISE

Select the gas lift case . Add a gas SOURCE at the riser base. You will need to think about
how you add only gas at the riser base.

Try lift gas rates of 0.2, 0.6 and 1.2 kg/s. Use a gas source temperature of 32°C.

What is your estimate of the minimum gas injection required to avoid the slugging problems at
5 kg/s (without choking)? What other issues may present problems with this option?

1.7 Production Ramp-up

This case introduces the concept of changing variables over time. Investigate the effect of
increasing the rate from 5 to 15 kg/s over 1 minute.
You will now use a timeline to manipulate the mass flow of a source. Generally a number of
OLGA input variables3 can be varied linearly (with time) between two and two time-points.

Duplicate the case {Slug 15.opi} and call it e.g. Ramp Up.
Simulate the first hour at 5 kg/s, then ramp up the rate over 1 minute to 15 kg/s and simulate
the last 59 minutes at this rate. A time series can be entered by clicking on the Timeseries
icon, ( ) in the Source Properties window. The following window will appear. Enter the data
to generate the graph as shown. Observe that all associated parameters (e.g. temperature and
gas fraction) also must be entered for each time-point.

Check the outlet liquid flow rate.

1.8 Slugtracking Module

You have seen that the outlet liquid volume flowrate at 15 kg/s is stable. However, from the
profile of the flow pattern indicator, we see that parts of the pipeline are in the hydrodynamic
slug flow regime (ID = 3). We have no idea of the size of any such slugs that may come out of

1) e.g. parameters of Sources and Pressure Nodes, Valve opening.

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 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – SLUGGING EXERCISE

the pipeline and cannot quantify any problems that may be encountered in the separator.
Therefore, we need to use the Slug Tracking module to quantify the slug sizes expected.

Slug Tracking simulations would normally be performed as a series of restart simulations from
another case which allow some data to be excluded from the final analysis. However, slug
tracking simulations can also be run without having to perform a restart. This is the method
that will be used here, (restart is covered later).

Duplicate the {Slug 15.opi} case and save it with a different name for example {Slugtracking
15.opi}.

The Slug Tracking module is accessed as follows:-

Add SLUGTRACKING. Activate the HYDRODYNAMIC slugging option only. Use default
values for all other input in the Property window.

It is important to specify the relevant output variables before you start the simulation. Add the
Trend variable ACCLIQ at PIPE_7, Section 3. ACCLIQ is the accumulated total liquid volume
flow across a pipe section boundary and is thus a boundary variable and TRENDDATA
statement should already be available for that position.

You should also add slug tracking trend plot variable LSLEXP at PIPE_6, Section 1 and at
PIPE_7, Section 1. LSLEXP is the length of a slug when the given boundary is within that
slug. When you now turn on the DEBUG option under OPTIONS in the Model View window
a slug length statistics will be generated to be printed in the textual output file.

Add the trend variables NSLUG (total no. of slugs in the system) and HT (integration time
step). These variables are global variables and should be
entered under Output in the Properties window.
Run the case for 2 hours and inspect the result.

To make a partly automatic calculation of liquid surge volume, plot the accumulated liquid
volume at the pipeline outlet as a trend plot and right click in the graph. Open Excel and then
Select <Dataset> <Copy Data> and Paste the data into an Excel spreadsheet.

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 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – SLUGGING EXERCISE

In the Excel spreadsheet, perform the following calculation on the ACCLIQ time series and plot
a graph of the resulting time-series of Vsurge.

Vsurgej+1 = MAX(0, Vsurgej + ACCLIQj+1 - ACCLIQj - Qdrain*( tj+1 - tj )), Vsurge1 = 0.

For Qdrain (the assumed separator liquid drain rate), one can use the average liquid flow rate or,
if known, the maximum drain capacity of the inlet separator. The Vsurge calculated this way is
quite sensitive to the precision of Qdrain. (Observe that you use a consistent unit for the drain
rate.)

Open the output file from the icon in the output toolbar to view the slug statistics.

The counting of slugs is accumulated over time so scroll to the last printout in the *.out file (at 2
hours).

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 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – PVTsim

2. PVTSIM – FLUID PROPERTIES

For any OLGA simulation, it is necessary to specify a fluid property file, which contains
information about the amounts and properties of gas and oil (and water if applicable) for a
given range of pressure and temperature. PVTsim is used to make such fluid files.

Open PVTsim.
Select <File> <Create New Database> and store the database in the
PVTsim directory.
 FA Exercises OLGA 5
 PVTsim
Then select Fluid -> Enter New Fluid on the top bar:

Alternatively, you may use the Fluid Management window

of the simulation explorer on the left side of the main
PVTsim window to create a new d
database by clicking the [New database] and then
click New Plus Fluid

In either case the window below appears.

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2.1 Gas Condensate Fluid Property File

You shall now make an OLGA fluid property file for a gas condensate which will be used later.

Fill in the fluid text labels with the following information:-

as in the window above and
• Well = Condensate
• Fluid = Condensate
• Sample = Condensate00
• Text = Gas Condensate
• History = e.g. " PVTsim v 16.2 <date> <your initials>

Enter the composition for the fluid “Condensate00” given in the table below:

Component Name Mole % Molecular Weight Density [g/cm³]

[kg/kmol]
Nitrogen 0.1
Carbon Dioxide 1.64
H2S
Methane 87.39
Ethane 5.75
Propane 2.30
I-Butane 0.48
N-Butane 0.85
I-Pentane 0.26
N-Pentane 0.30
Hexane 0.28
C7 0.65 100.21 0.690
C8 1.1e-4 210.00 0.750
C9+ 1.5e-4 300.00 0.800
The “C9” component is a plus component (if the fluid has a plus component, the last
component is always considered to be the plus component). No experimental data is given.

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Check Save CHAR Fluid and then click [OK] in the fluid window. When you click [OK] the fluid
is being characterized (i.e. the heaviest component is broken down into a number of new
pseudo components). The characterised fluid becomes the last fluid in the database and is to
be used for the remainder of the exercise.

Make a phase envelope: Select the Simulations window and

click on the ( ) icon.
Perform a PT flash of the condensate at 15°C and 1 bara by
clicking on the icon, ( ) . The following results window will
appear. Note that there is a [Save Phase] button. This allows the individual gas and liquid
phase compositions to be saved to the database as separate fluids. This is useful when
recombining wellstream fluids to achieve a specific GOR.
The results windows in PVTsim also has Excel type of functionality (with "hidden" cells) so you
can e.g. calculate the GOR of the fluid in an empty cell.

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Generate an OLGA fluid property file with the file name {condensate00.tab} using the button
on the Interfaces window by clicking the OLGA icon.
The following window will appear.

The OLGA table range should be:

• Pressure 1 to 120 bara
• Temperature -20 to 100°C
• No of Press points: 50
• No of Temp points :50

Use GasCond for Fluid Label.

Use the defaults for the other
input, click [OK] and wait until
the window below appears.
Close the window and click
[Cancel].

Note that it is possible to generate a single {*.tab} file containing a number of different fluids by entering
the details of the other fluids under the Fluid 2, Fluid 3 etc Tabs.

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 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – PVTsim

2.2 Harthun Fluid Property File

In this exercise, you shall make an OLGA fluid property file for the Harthun oil using PVTsim.
The composition for the fluid “Harthun” is given below:

Component Name Mole % Molecular Density

Weight [g/cm³]
[kg/kmol]
Nitrogen 0.03
Carbon Dioxide 1.23
H2S
Methane 39.29
Ethane 7.65
Propane 6.43
I-Butane 2.14
N-Butane 4.44
I-Pentane 1.99
N-Pentane 2.57
Hexane 4.35
C7 19.50 101.30 0.702
C8 3.62 213.00 0.755
C9+ 6.76 302.00 0.820

No experimental data is given. The last component C9+ is a plus component.

Complete the following activities as for the gas condensate fluid above:-
• Input the Harthun composition as a new fluid.
• Make a phase envelope using Phase Envelope option.
• Make a PT flash at 15°C and 1 bara using the PT flash option.
• Generate an OLGA fluid property file termed {Harthun.tab}. Use
‘Harthun’ for the fluid label.

The OLGA table range should be:

• Pressure range = 1 to 200 bara mind the max
pressure
• Temperature range = -10 to 100°C
• Number of pressure points = 50
• Number of temperature points = 50

The OLGA fluid property file should contain data for two phases only. Everything else is as per
the default settings in PVTsim.

25
 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – PVTsim

2.3 Mixing condensate and water

Select <Fluid> <Database> from the PVTsim main menu. Duplicate the composition
Condensate. The duplicated composition appears as the last composition and is identical to
the original, see below.

Select the duplicated composition, change the name to “Three phase” and add 0.05 mole % of
water to the total composition and press Normalize.

Generate an OLGA fluid property file “threephase.tab” with the following specifications:

• Pressure range = 1 to 120 bara

• Temperature range = -20 to 100°C
• Number of Pressure points = 50
• Number of Temperature points = 50
• Check three phase.

Use “GasCondWet” for the fluid label, the defaults for everything else and generate the new
fluid property file.

26
 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – Fax

3. YOU GET A FAX – RESULTS WITHIN TWO HOURS?

A fax is attached and you have to respond within 2 hours.

HINTS:

The fluid property table must cover Standard conditions (1 atm and 15 C)

Create the geometry in the Geometry Editor.

Use sub-sea template as reference point ( x= 0, y = 0)

Ensure that the following variables are generated for analysis:-

• PROFILE variables: HOL, ID, QLT, QG
• TREND variables: PT at inlet
• TREND variables: QLT, QG at outlet

The temperature option is UGIVEN and the U-value is set in HEATTRANSFER

27
 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – Fax

OIL Ltd

Fax
To: Academy of Petroleum From:

Dynamics

Fax: + 47 64 84 45 00 Pages: 2

Phone: Date: 1/23/2008

Re: Stability of tie-back pipeline CC:

; Urgent … For Review … Please Comment … Please Reply … Please Recycle

We are considering a 5.6 mile (9 km) tie-back pipeline in relatively shallow waters to one of our
existing platforms offshore Abu Dhabi. In the initial production phase the flow is stable,
practically single phase oil. Our concern is flow stability as gas break-through is expected to
occur in year 4 of the production. The Gas Oil Ratio (GOR) is expected to go from 280 to 985
Sft³/Sbl in year 4. We need some preliminary flow stability analysis to establish whether our
concern is justified with a GOR of 985 Sft³/Sbl ( ≈ 175 Sm³/Sm³).

Data:
Pipeline I.D. = 11.7 in (≈ 0.297 m)
1st stage separator operating pressure = 840 psia (≈ 58 bara)
Flowing Well Head Temperature = 175°F (≈ 79°C )
The sea floor temperature = 57°F (≈ 14°C)
Overall U value = 0.44 Btu/ft²/h/F (≈ 2.5 W/m²/C)
Design production = 18,000 Sbbl/day (≈ 2,862 Sm³/d)
Water cut = 0

Please find attached the reservoir composition (which has a GOR of 1125 Sft³/Sbbl) and a
rough drawing of the pipe profile. A quick reply would be highly appreciated.

Best Regards

Project coordinator
OIL E.P.

28
 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – Fax

Fluid analysis

Component Mol %
N2 0.69
CO2 0.54
C1 54.85
C2 4.85
C3 2.23
IC4 2.15
NC4 2.44
IC5 2.56
NC5 5.31
C6 5.57
C7+ 18.81

C7+ properties:
Molecular weight = 350 kg/kmol, Density = 870 kg/m3

80 ft (24

295 ft (90 265 ft (81

131 ft (40

5.6 miles (9)

29
 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – TRANSIENT EXERCISE

4. PIPELINE SHUT-IN AND START-UP

The main goal in this exercise is to conduct well shut-in and start-up simulations in order to
determine the thickness of the insulation layer needed to keep the fluid temperature a
minimum of 5°C above the hydrate formation temperature during an 8 hour shutdown period,
(i.e. a ‘no-touch’ time of 8 hours during which time the operators do not need to do anything to
the pipeline). A hydrate formation curve has been prepared based on the composition in the
PVTsim exercise.

At the end of the shutdown, the operator will have two options, namely to restart production or
to depressure the pipeline to ensure that the pipeline fluids remain outside hydrate formation
conditions in the event that production cannot be restarted. The liquid surge volume out of the
pipeline for both the start-up and depressurisation options will be determined along with the
gas rate to flare.

The Production Engineers have also provided the proposed well profile and the expected
reservoir conditions. You have been requested to include the wellbore in the simulation model
to allow the interactions between the well and the flowline to be assessed.
The wellbore is a 1,000 m long deviated pipe with an inclination of 45° followed by an 800 m
long vertical pipe to the wellhead. The tubing has an inner diameter of 0.101 m and the
thickness of the tubing wall is 6.88 mm. The inner roughness of the tubing is assumed to be
0.025 mm.

The formation outside the tubing can be approximated by a 0.6 m thick concentric formation
layer. The formation layer should be modelled with a number of layers. The physical
properties of the formation rock are given below

Material Density Specific Heat Thermal

[kg/m³] [J/kg/K] Conductivity
[W/m/K]
Formation 2,243 1,256 1.59

Assume a linear geothermal temperature gradient between the perforations and the seabed
(70°C to 6°C).

The simulations will be performed as a series of restart simulations to reduce the

computational time required to address both the shutdown and the restart/depressurisation
issues.

HINTS:

Create a new project and use the {Slug 5.opi} case as the base case. Duplicate the original
case and call the new case {Shutdown.opi}. The original case should then be removed from
the project.
Create a new node to represent the bottom of the wellbore and name it Reservoir.
Define the X and Y coordinates based on the information below. You will also need to redefine
one of the existing nodes as it changes from being a terminal node. (See the following
sketch.)

30
 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – TRANSIENT EXERCISE

Wigoth
Separator

Elev. = +30
Sea Level (LAT) Elev. = 0

Harthun
Wellhead Harthun Pipeline

Elev. = -255

Harthun
Wellbore

Elev. = -1,762
Harthun
Reservoir

Add a new WALL structure with the formation layer included (divide this layer into six layers
with thicknesses of 10, 20, 40, 80, 150 and 300 mm).

Add the two new wellbore pipes as a separate FLOWPATH named Harthun Wellbore. Note
that the X coordinates are relative to the wellhead and the Y coordinates are relative to the sea
level or LAT;-

Location Distance Depth # of Sections

(X Coordinate) (Y Coordinate)
[m] [m]
Reservoir -707 -1762
0 -1055 5
Wellhead 0 -255 4

The wellbore ambient temperature should be specified using the HEATTRANSFER keyword.
Use a vertical INTERPOLATION and specify both INTAMBIENT and OUTTAMBIENT . Use a
common ambient heat transfer coefficient (HAMBIENT) of 6.5 W/m²/K.

You are to use the new Harthun fluid composition provided for the PVTsim exercise. The fluid
property file to be used is {Harthun.tab}.

31
 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – TRANSIENT EXERCISE

The inflow to the model will be simulated using a WELL keyboard as opposed to the SOURCE
previously used. (You will need to delete the source from the previous case). The WELL
option is accessed from the same location as the SOURCE option. Add a new WELL and
enter the following data in the Property window:-
• TIME = 0 s
• RESPRESSURE = 180 bara
• RESTEMPERATURE = 70°C
• PIPE = PIPE-1
• SECTION = 1
• GASFRACTION = -1
• WATERFRACTION = 0

Specify a linear inflow performance relationship (IPR) for the

reservoir by setting PRODOPTION to LINEAR and repeat for
INJOPTION.

The formula for a linear IPR is Q = A + B*∆P. You need to

specify A and B for both Production and Injection
(corresponds to specifying backflow conditions). The well
productivity index, (PI or BPROD) and injectivity index, (II or
BINJ) is assumed to be 0.000003 kg/s/Pa. Set the AINJ and
the APROD to 0. The WELL is located at the middle of the
wellbore.

Add two new valves located at the Harthun Wellhead, (PIPE

2, section 5) and at the Harthun Riser, (PIPE 7, section 2).
The wellhead valve has a diameter of 0.089 m and the
platform valve has a diameter of 0.1 m.

4.1 Shutdown Simulations

The initial steady state and shutdown operations will be performed as a single simulation. This
is because the insulation thickness cannot be changed as part of a restart simulation.

You are to run the revised model for a 2 hour period followed by an 8 hour shutdown.

Is the insulation sufficient to maintain the minimum pipeline temperature at least 5°C above the
hydrate formation temperature at the local pressure at the end of the 8 hour shutdown? If not,
determine the required insulation level to achieve this specification.

HINTS:

Both valves shall be fully open for the first two hours of the simulation. Close the wellhead
valve and the platform valve simultaneously over a period of 60 seconds to shutdown the
production. Simulate a shut-in period of 8 hours. The total simulation time adds up to 10
hours, (ENDTIME = 10 h).

32
 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – TRANSIENT EXERCISE

The simple way to do the valve manipulations is to use time series for valve openings. This is
done by clicking on the Timeseries icon, ( ) in the Properties window.

The time is given in minutes with the corresponding

valve openings specified, (1 is fully open and 0 is fully
closed). The valve moves linearly with time between the
time points specified with the exact position determined
by interpolation. (You may specify any opening between
0 and 1.)

Add the trend variable for valve opening, VALVOP.

When you have entered the data for one valve you may
R-click on that valve and open the
Global Instances table and copy –paste time-points and
openings from the first valve to the other.

Temperature Hydrate
The difference between the local fluid temperature and the [°C] Pressure
hydrate formation temperature at the local pressure may be [bara]
plotted directly in OLGA, provided that the hydrate formation
-20 2.1
curve is specified.
-15 2.7
The hydrate formation curve is entered under the -10 3.4
HYDRATECHECK option which is accessed from the
-5 4.2
Properties window as shown. Enter the hydrate formation
curve presented (be aware of its units). 0 5.3
5 11.4
10 23.3
15 48.6
18 78.2
20 138.9
21.1 200.0

Add the variable DTHYD to the PROFILE plot for each FLOWPATH and use this variable to
evaluate the insulation requirements.

33
 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – TRANSIENT EXERCISE

You may make new cases changing pipeline insulation thickness or you may use a Parametric
Study. In that case select the main parameter "Library" and then select "Thickness" for the
pipeline wall. All the layers must be specified, see below:

4.2 Start-up Simulations

You will now need to address the pipeline start-up operation once the correct insulation has
been established. This simulation can be performed as a RESTART simulation using the
pipeline conditions in the Harthun pipeline at the end of the shutdown simulation as the initial
conditions for the restart simulation.

HINTS:

Create a duplicate case based on the shutdown simulation {Shutdown.opi} and call the new
case {Start-up.opi}.

Modify the new case to include the RESTART keyword from the Model View window as
shown.

Specify the FILE to be used as the initial conditions for

this simulation as {Shutdown.rsw} in the appropriate
location in the Restart Property window.

Select the INTEGRATION window and change the

ENDTIME to 12 hours and delete the STARTTIME.
This will ensure that the end time from the Shutdown
simulation is used as the start time for the Start-up
simulation.
Add Trend variable for valve opening, VALVOP.
Run the simulation and estimate the maximum surge
volume in the slug catcher during start-up. Assume a
separator liquid drain rate equal to the average steady
state liquid production from the first two hours of the
case {Shutdown.opi}. Use the Trend variable ACCLIQ and/or QLT to establish the required
surge volume (ref. the Slugtracking case).

Can the surge volume at start-up be reduced using a different start-up procedure?

34
 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – TRANSIENT EXERCISE

4.3 Depressuring Simulations (OPTIONAL)

The pipeline must be depressurised to avoid hydrate formation in the event that the pipeline
cannot be restarted immediately following the shutdown. A 2”NB (5 cm ID) manual valve to
flare is provided upstream of the Wigoth Separator isolation valve. You are required to confirm
that the pipeline can be depressurised through this valve without the fluid temperature falling
into the hydrate formation region. You are also to confirm the total liquid volume generated
during the depressurisation operation and check to make sure that the flare capacity is not
exceeded.

The wellhead and riser valves will be left closed during the depressuring simulations which will
be performed by modelling the route to flare as a LEAK.

Duplicate the start-up case with a new name (and ensure that both valves are closed).

LEAKS are controlled using a CONTROLLER which may be added under Library in the Model
View window. A CONTROLLER can also be added in
a RESTART case.

Set-up the CONTROLLER as a manual controller

with the following parameters:-
• TYPE = MANUAL
• STROKETIME = 60 s
• MAXCHANGE = 0.2

The case starts at 600 min and then the set point
should be 0 (i.e. the leak is closed). Then the leak
should be opened over 1 a minute period (STROKETIME)
after 1 min .

Add a LEAK in the pipe section immediately upstream of

the topsides isolation valve with a diameter of 5 cm. (A
LEAK is an item of Process Equipment). The leak should
have a back pressure of 5 bara corresponding to the flare
system backpressure. The CONTROLLER is
CONTROLLER-1 which has just been specified. Specify
the TREND variable CONTR to see the controller action.

Specify the following leak variables to be exported to the

trend file.
• Accumulated mass of gas released
downstream of leak (ACGLKEX)
• Accumulated volume of gas released
downstream of leak (ACQGLKEX)
• Accumulated volume of oil released
downstream of leak (ACQOLKEX)
• Gas mass flow downstream of leakage
(GGLKEX)
• Liquid mass flow downstream of leakage
(GLLKEX)
Run the simulation and confirm that the fluid temperature
in the pipeline does not fall into the hydrate formation
region. Also check the peak gas and liquid rates and the
total volume of liquid generated during the
depressurisation.

35
 FA WITH OLGA – GAS CONDENSATE EXERCISE

5. GAS CONDENSATE PIPELINE

In this exercise, a gas-condensate pipeline through hilly terrain shall be simulated. The fluid
property file to be used is {condensate00.tab} which was created in the PVTsim exercise.

A preliminary case has been prepared called {Initial.opi} which may be found in the Gas
Condensate directory. This file has not been completed and a "symbolic" pipeline profile has
been used.

Your task is to get the file to run and then to modify the pipeline profile to reflect the geometry
supplied by your Pipeline Engineer as a tabulation of x-y coordinates in the file {geo.xy}.

The pipeline outlet pressure is 1015 psia. The fluid inlet temperature is 120°F. The wall
thickness of the pipeline is 0.5 inches, the pipeline is buried and the ambient temperature is
3°C. The burial is modelled by adding two 1 ft thick layers of soil to the wall.

5.1 Geometry Modification

This exercise will guide you through the steps required to import the new pipeline profile into
the simulation model.

Duplicate the original case {Initial} and save the new case as {Simplified.opi}. Expand out the
file structure in the Model View window.

Right click on GEOMETRY : INITIAL to access the Geometry Editor.

Left click and drag one of the tabs down to allow the data entry window and the flowpath profile
graph to be viewed together by creating a new horizontal tab group as shown below.

Enter the Diameter (19 inches) and Roughness (0.0018 inches) in the first row as shown
above. These values will become the default values when the new geometry is imported.

Select <File> <Import…> and select the file {Geo.xy}. (Note that it is also possible to cut and
paste from Excel.)

36
 FA WITH OLGA – GAS CONDENSATE EXERCISE

Save this new geometry as {Actual.geo}. You will now need to define the Wall structure for
each pipe. This can be done by using standard windows copy and paste functions.

The next step is to check the angle distribution by selecting <Tools> <Check Angle
Distribution>. The Angle Distribution window will appear.

The colour of the bars and the % values in the output window indicate the difference between
the average angle of the pipes within an angle group and the average value of the angle group.
Green, (and a low % deviation) represents a good match whereas red (and a high % deviation)
represents a poor match. The angle groups can be modified to provide a better match.

37
 FA WITH OLGA – GAS CONDENSATE EXERCISE

Select <Tools> <Angle Groups> and the following window will appear. Additional
angle groups my be added by clicking [Add] and entering the angle of the new angle
group. The angle groups will automatically be re-ordered. You can also delete a
group and change their values.
Modify the Angle Groups to give the following groupings. Clicking on [OK] will give
the following results which represents a better match between the angle groups and
the actual profile.

The profile will then be simplified by using the filter. This is done by selecting <Tools>
<Filter…> from the main menu. Select the Angle Distribution tab.

38
 FA WITH OLGA – GAS CONDENSATE EXERCISE

Move the ‘sliders’ for the X Start pos. to

the left to ensure that it is zero and X End
position to the right to select the entire
pipeline and set the Pipe Length for
Generated Pipes to 2000 (m).

Save the new geometry as

{FILTERED.geo}. Now compare the
results by selecting the respective graphs
in the Geometry Editor window4.

The angle distributions should also be checked to ensure that there is a reasonable match.

4
There is a certain randomness in the filtering method to avoid extremely short pipes. This means that if you repeat the
filtering you may get profiles that look different (more or less). However, the main features will be maintained.

39
 FA WITH OLGA – GAS CONDENSATE EXERCISE

The filtered geometry will now be used as the new pipeline profile. Close the {Actual.geo}.
Enter the pipeline Diameter (19 inches), Roughness (0.0018 in) and Wall definition (WALL-1)
in the tabular format for the Filtered geometry. (The units may be changed by right clicking on
the column heading). Note that the cells may be Copied and Pasted using standard Windows
tools.

We will now specify the length of each pipe section.

Select <Tools> <Discretize> from the menu. The
Discretize selected profile window will appear. Specify
the Min number of sections per pipe as 2 and the Max
length of sections as 1000 m.

Save the geometry as {SIMPLIFIED.geo} and select <File> <Exit> and check YES to update
the pipeline geometry.
Rename PIPE : PIPE-1 to INLET and the last pipe to OUTLET. The case should now be ready
to simulate.

5.2 Steady State Simulations

Perform simulations with inlet flowrates of 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 kg/s. Tabulate the inlet
pressure and total liquid inventory of the line at each flowrate. The parametric study option

40
 FA WITH OLGA – GAS CONDENSATE EXERCISE

should be used for this task. The simulations ENDTIME should be set to 0, i.e. this simulation
will be run as a traditional steady state simulation.

Make a graph of the inlet pressure and the liquid inventory as function of flowrate (Excel). Try
to explain the form of the inlet pressure curve.

Ensure that Total Liquid Content (LIQC) and the pipeline inlet pressure (PT) are plotted as
trends.

5.3 Pigging Simulations

We shall pig the line with a liquid inventory resulting from running at 80 kg/s. However, the gas
velocity in the pipeline at a flowrate of 80 kg/s is above the maximum allowable pig velocity.
Therefore, the production flowrate should be reduced to 20 kg/s during the pigging operation to
keep the pig velocity below acceptable limits. The flowrate is to be increased to 80 kg/s thirty
minutes after the pig has arrived.

The pig supplier has provided the following data for the pig;-
• TYPE = SHORT
• INSERTTIME = 90 minutes
• STATICFORCE = 19000 N
• WALLFRICTION = 9500
• LINEARFRIC = 0
• QUADRATICFRIC = 4750
• MASS = 275 kg
• DIAMETER = 19 inches
• LEAKAGEFRACTOR = 0

You are required to determine the surge volume required at the pipeline outlet to handle the
pig generated liquid surge.

HINTS:

The pig launch and trap positions are defined trough the POSITION keyword. Define a launch
position in the second section of the first pipe and a trap position in the second section of the
last pipe.

Use the PLUG keyword, which you add from FA-models under the FLOWPATH, to enter the
pig data given above.

The simulation should be run for 60 minutes at a constant flowrate of 80 kg/s. Then start to
reduce the flowrate from 80 to 20 kg/s over 30 minutes and insert the pig at 90 minutes.

41
 FA WITH OLGA – GAS CONDENSATE EXERCISE

Run a short case to measure the pig velocity. Assume that the pipe length is 70 km and
calculate arrival time for the pig. The flowrate should then be increased to 80 kg/s starting 30
minutes after the pig has arrived at the trap. Now complete the case with ramp-up from 20 to
80 Kg/s over 30 minutes and simulate for a total period of 24 h.

Calculate the require surge capacity in the slug catcher using the spreadsheet generated for
the Slug Tracking exercise. Assume a drain rate equivalent to 1.2 times the volumetric liquid
flowrate at the pipeline outlet for a production flowrate of 100 kg/s, (from the steady state
simulations). (The additional capacity represents the over design inherent in any control
valve.)

Add the variables UPIG and ZZPIG in a separate (global) TRENDDATA specification.

You should also add the PLOT keyword (under the bottom OUTPUT label) to allow the hold-
up (HOL) in the pipeline to be visualised during the pigging operation by means of the OLGA
viewer (Tools).

5.4 Turndown Ramp-up (Optional)

You are also required to determine the surge volume generated as a result of a turndown and
subsequent ramp-up operation.

Create a new case and run at a steady state flowrate of 100 kg/s for 1 hour. Reduce the
flowrate to 40 kg/s over a 30 minute period and run for a further 48 hours. Increase the
flowrate again to 100 kg/s over a further 4 hour period and run for more 8 hours. The total
simulation time should be 61.5 h. Be sure to adjust plotting frequencies and DTOUT in the
OUTPUT in order to avoid generating large output, trend and profile plot files.

Determine the size of the liquid surge volume required at the pipeline outlet and compare with
the pigging case? What can be done to reduce the required surge volume.

42
 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – WATER EXERCISE

6. THREE PHASE FLOW – WATER MODULE

The water option is used in this case to determine the effect of water accumulation in the
pipeline at a production flowrate of 60 kg/s.

Create a new project under the gas Condensate directory called {Three Phase.opp}. Open the
case {Simplified.opi}, create a duplicate case called {Water 60.opi} and remove the original
case from the project to avoid inadvertent editing. Change the inlet flowrate to 60 kg/s.

OPTIONS should be revised to reflect a three-phase flow problem.

The WATEROPTIONS FA-model

shall be activated with the
WATERFLASH ON, the
DISPERSIONVISC ON and the
WATERSLIP ON.

Use the fluid properties file

threephase00.tab which you made
in the PVTsim exercise (remember
to modify the label in the FILES
keyword and change the FLUID
label for the flowpath).

The WATERFRACTION in the

SOURCE should be set to 0.05,
(i.e. the inlet fluid contains 5% by
weight of free water- not including
the water-vapour in the gas phase).

The pressure at the outlet boundary should be reduced to 715 psia.

The integration time should be set to 2.5 days. Make sure plotting frequencies are reasonable.

Add the plotting variable total water and gas content in the flowpath (WATC, GASC) to the
TREND plot keyword and water volume fraction (HOLWT) to the PROFILE plot.

Add the PLOT key, specifying the liquid volume

fractions for oil and water, respectively.

Also check "MASS SOURCE INFORMATION" in the

output file (*.out).

Save the case with a different name and change

TOTALWATERFRACTION to -1 in the source, i.e. the
total amount of water in the inlet fluid is determined
from the free water in the PVT table plus any saturated
water in the gas phase.
Re-run the case, compare the results and explain the difference.

43
 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – SEPARATOR EXERCISE

7. SEPARATORS AND CONTROLLERS (OPTIONAL)

Case Description

In this exercise we will include a separator with controllers to demonstrate how to combine a
pipeline with receiving facilities. We will start from the input file made in the Gas Condensate
exercise with a flowrate of 20 kg/s and make the following changes:

• Adjust the elevation of the last pipe in the flowline so that it is

horizontal.
• Add an additional pipe at the end of the pipeline as a residence for
the separator. The separator is 8 feet in diameter and 20 ft long. Let
it have one numerical segment.
• Add another pipe, 300 m long, with 2 numerical segments after the
pipe with the separator. This pipe will model the separator gas outlet.
• Add a controller for liquid level control in the separator. The controller
should have an amplification factor of 10, and integral constant of
1E10, and a derivative constant of 0. It should hold the level at 25%
of the vessel height (Hint: OLGA uses the term BE to indicate fraction
of liquid volume in the vessel).
• Add a vertical two-phase separator. OLGA asks for a “train” variable,
which in this case is gas, since the geometry we defined downstream
of the separator is the gas outlet. Use 3-inch valves for the oil level
control valve and emergency drain valve. The backpressure for the
two valves should be 300 and 200 psia respectively. Use a CD of 1
for the valves. The “high-high” level is set at 40% of the volume, while
the low level switch is set at 15% of the volume. The emergency
dump reset is at 50% of the volume.
• Add trend plot variables for gas flow at the separator gas outlet (GG),
liquid level in the separator (LIQLV), oil mass flow at the separator
normal oil drain and the emergency oil drain (GNODHL and
GEODHL). Also add the controller output (CONTR) for the liquid level
controller, which will give the opening of the oil level control valve.

Run the simulation for 15 hours and observe the liquid level in the separator and the liquid flow
out of the separator to see if the level controller is working correctly. Check the controller
output for the level controller to determine if the sizing of the liquid drain valve is reasonable.
Do you obtain a stable set-point level? If not, you could try with a significant value of 1/Integral
time (τi) e.g. (0.002 ≤ 1/τi ≤ 0.02) and a lower amplification.

44
 Hands on
training
world-wide

Flow Assurance with

Guided Tour
 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – GUIDED TOUR

GUIDED TOUR
This exercise will guide you through the actions required to create and run a simple two-
phase flow transient pipe simulation using OLGA in a step by step manner.

On starting OLGA, the following graphical user interface (GUI) will appear. The
GUI is split into a number of different windows as indicated.

2
 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – GUIDED TOUR

CREATE A NEW PROJECT AND A NEW CASE

The OLGA 5 GUI uses the concept of Project for an assembly of cases. It is possible to
have the cases in different Windows directories.
The Project is only a container for cases and you may add and remove them as you like it.

Start a new PROJECT by either:-

• Select <File> <New> <Project...> or by
• Ctrl+Shift+N or by
• Click on the [New Project] button

Call the project ‘Tour’ under file name in the directory:-

 FA Exercises OLGA 5
 Tour
and click on the [Save] button.

This will create a new project file (*.opp file) and allows the cases corresponding to a
particular project to be grouped together. It is possible to have cases in different directories
which are then linked together under a single project.

Create a new CASE by either:-

• Selecting <File> <New> <Case...>.
• Ctrl+N

The following window will appear.

Select the OLGA Case File icon, call the new case <Oil Case> and click on [Save]. This will
create a new simulation case which will contain the minimum information requirements to
create a workable OLGA simulation model 1.
An alternative is to click on the [New Case] button which will open a new OLGA Case which
is automatically named.

1
There are two other options available, namely, a single-branch template (OLGA Basic)
or a three-branch template (OLGA Basic Network). These two templates are runnable
cases which can then be edited to reflect the actual system configuration. (The OLGA
Basic template will be used later in this course to build a new model.)

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 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – GUIDED TOUR

CASE
Select CASE in the Model View window
and complete the case information for
the new case in the Properties window
on the right hand side of the screen.

Note that clicking on the keyword in the

Properties window will give a description
of the input requirements for that
keyword at the bottom of the Properties
window.

FILES
Select FILES in the Model View window.
Select the PVTFILE box in the
Properties window and select the input
box. Select the file {tour-oil.tab} in the
Tour directory and click [Open].

Note that the fluid file does not have to

reside in the original folder.

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 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – GUIDED TOUR

TIME INTEGRATION

Select INTEGRATION in the Model

View window and enter the following
data in the Properties window:-

• STARTTIME = 0 s
• ENDTIME = 5 h
• DTSTART = 0.01 s
• MINDT = 0.01 s
• MAXDT = 20 s

The correct time-unit should ideally be

selected before the data is entered. The
number will be automatically converted
when the unit is changed. Note that you
can override the unit conversion by
holding down the <Shift> key whilst
changing the unit.

Refer to the descriptions at the bottom of

the Properties window for more
information on each item. Also note that
the initial time step (DTSTART) may not
be outside the maximum and minimum
time steps specified (MAXDT and
MINDT).

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 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – GUIDED TOUR

GLOBAL SIMULATION
OPTIONS
Select OPTIONS: we use the default
values for the current case.

OPTIONS define the global calculation

options used in the simulation, e.g. two-
phase or three phase or the methods
used to calculate the fluid temperature
(temperature profiles).

In this course you will modify PHASE

and TEMPERATURE, only, but for the
guided tour we leave them at default.

PIPE WALLS
Materials

First you must specify the materials that

surround the fluid in the pipe and thus
constitute the pipe wall layers that is
needed for your model, e.g. steel,
insulation, concrete, soil etc.2

Right click on Library in the Model View

window and add MATERIAL.
Enter the following data in the
Properties window:-
LABEL = Steel
TYPE = SOLID (by default)
CAPACITY = 500 J/kg/C
CONDUCTIVITY = 50 W/m/K
DENSITY = 7850 kg/m³

Note that the items which must be

completed will be highlighted in red.

2
The pipe walls should be included to account for
heat accumulated during a cool-down during a shut-in.

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 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – GUIDED TOUR

OLGA has also a library function for

materials. Some materials are
predefined and you can add or modify
materials at your discretion.

Right-Click on MATERIAL:Steel and

then on Import from user's library.

Locate and check Poly Propylene-foam

and then OK.

Expand Library and check properties for

the Poly Propylene-foam

Re-label the foam to "INSULATION"

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 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – GUIDED TOUR

The materials will now be used to

define a pipe wall structure. Note
that the entire wall cross-section is
defined as one wall starting from
the innermost wall layer and
moving out.

Right click on Library and select

WALL.

Click on the Property Page icon in

the Properties window to open up
the Wall window.

The wall structure to be defined for

this case consists of a layer of steel
which is 0.01 m thick with a 0.04 m
thick insulation layer.

Enter the following data in the Wall

properties window:-
Wallname = Wall-1
THICKNESS = 0.01, 0.02, 0.02 (m)
MATERIAL = Steel, Insulation,
Insulation

Note that the insulation layer has

been split into two layers. This is
done for numerical purposes.

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 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – GUIDED TOUR

PIPELINE NETWORK
The next step is to define the pipeline network by
specifying a number of NODES and connecting the
NODES together using one or more FLOWPATHS.

We shall now build a very simple pipe network:

Select the Components view by either clicking on the
tab at the bottom of the Model view or selecting the
Components button on the Toolbar, ( ).

Add two nodes by dragging and dropping NODE from

the Component window onto the workspace.
(You may have to fit your network view to the size of
the workspace to see the NODES properly
Move the nodes close to each other and either click
on the tool-bar or enter Q after you have clicked
(once) on the workspace).

Select NODE_0, change the LABEL to ‘Inlet’ and

define the node as a CLOSED node under TYPE.
Note that there is no mass or energy transfer across a
CLOSED node.

Select NODE_1, change the LABEL to ‘Outlet’ and

define
the node as a PRESSURE node with the following
properties:-
TIME = 0 s
TEMPERATURE = 25°C
PRESSURE = 20 bara
GAS FRACTION = 1 3

Observe that you must specify a node temperature.

This is needed in the event that fluid flows from the
(pressure) node into the pipeline.

3
in the event that the pipe pressure falls below the node pressure during a transient,
only gas will flow back into the pipe from the node.

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 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – GUIDED TOUR

PIPELINE NETWORK cont.

The two nodes can be connected by a FLOWPATH by the following actions:-

Click on Inlet node. Right click and hold in the blue box

Drag to Outlet node and release the mouse button

Select Connect from the drop down menu

This will create a flowpath between Inlet and Outlet.

Moving the mouse with the left mouse button held down will move the schematic
within the Oil Case window.4

Rename the flowpath to FLOWLINE by clicking once on the

flowpath and entering the new name in LABEL in the Properties window.

4
You may also use the tools in the layout toolbar to resize the graphical representation of
the network. You may zoom in and out by using the scroll wheel on the mouse. Zoom in
can also be achieved by holding down <Z> and selecting an area to zoom into using the
left mouse button. Zoom out is achieved with <Shift>+<Z> and SLOWLY clicking the left
mouse button.

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 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – GUIDED TOUR

Double click on the Flowline to open the Flowpath View. The following window will appear
which displays the pipeline profile.

GEOMETRY EDITOR

So far the model has the default flowpath profile or GEOMETRY i.e. GEOMETRY-1.
A GEOMETRY is usually modified with the Geometry Editor. This is activated by either
clicking the Property Page button in the Flowpath
Property window

or by selecting <Tools> <Geometry Editor> from the

top bar.

In either case the window below should appear:

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 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – GUIDED TOUR

Left click and drag one of the tabs down

to allow the data entry window and the
flowpath profile graph to be viewed
together by creating a New horizontal
tab group.

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 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – GUIDED TOUR

Enter the following data for

PIPE-1:-
• Length = 1000 m
• Elevation = 0 m
• # Sections = 5
• Diameter = 0.2032 m
• Roughness = 0.0018 in
• Wall = WALL-1 (from drop-down)

The units of any variable

may be changed by right
clicking in the relevant
column description.

Add a second pipe by

right clicking on the label
for PIPE-1 and selecting <Insert
after>. Change the Elevation of
PIPE-2 to 20 m and specify the
#Sections to 5.
Ensure that the diameter, roughness
and wall are the same as for PIPE-1

Select <File> <Exit> to leave the

Geometry editor and click "Yes" to update the

profile in the Flowpath window.

When back in the Model View window, expand the FLOWPATH : Flowline and expand
Piping. Select BRANCH and select the FLUID to 1 ("1" is the fluid-label in the fluid file)
using the dropdown box in the Properties window. Note that only one fluid may be
specified for any Flowpath.

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 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – GUIDED TOUR

The physical structure of the pipeline has now been fully defined. However, we must define
the heat transfer characteristics along with the way in which the
fluid flows are defined (as only one pressure boundary has been
specified).

HEAT TRANSFER

The heat transfer characteristics of the flowpath are entered by

right clicking on the FLOWPATH : Flowline and selecting
HEATRANSFER.

Enter the following data in the Property window:-

• TAMBIENT = 5°C
• HAMBIENT = 10 W/m²/C (mind the unit) 5
INLET FLOWRATE

The flowrate in this case is a constant mass flow, specified as a

SOURCE. This is done by e.g. right clicking on the
Boundary&InitialConditions under Flowline and selecting
SOURCE.

Expand ‘Position’ and ‘Phase distribution’ in the Property

window. Enter the following data in the Property window:-
• TIME = 0 s
• TEMPERATURE = 50°C
• MASSFLOW = 2.5 kg/s
• PIPE = PIPE-1
• SECTION = 1
• GASFRACTION = -1
• WATERFRACTION = 0

GASFRACTION = -1: It is the equilibrium gas mass

fraction of the fluid at the conditions (P,T) of the section
into which it is injected6.

5
Note that HAMBIENT is the heat transfer coefficient for the
external film, i.e.. from the outside wall layer to the ambient
temperature, TAMBIENT. The external film coefficient can also
be calculated by specifying the external fluid, (e.g. air or water),
and fluid velocity under the Calculated heat transfer coefficient.
6
Note that the pressure does not have to be specified. In the event that the pressure is
specified, OLGA will perform an adiabatic flash of the fluids from the specified pressure
and temperature to the pressure in the first pipe section to establish the actual
temperature.

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 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – GUIDED TOUR

SPECIFY OUTPUT
The model is now almost ready to run. We still need to specify the output variables of
interest.

PRODUCING RESULTS

Since OLGA is a transient program it calculates

all variables for each integration time-step
(and for each pipe section).
Normally you do not need all these data
for your evaluations and reporting. Therefore
you must specify which variables you need and
how often you need them. Moreover you must
think about the presentation format you want to
apply.
The temporal parameters for result
production are specified under the global "Output"
specification.

TIME INTERVALS FOR EXTRACTING SIMULATION RESULTS

OUTPUT TEXT FILE

OLGA produces a text file with various information and simulation results.

Select OUTPUT and specify the time interval (DTOUT)

between writing to the output text file to be 5 hours, i.e.
all variables specified under OUTPUTDATA, (defined
later), will be saved every 5 hours of simulation time.

PROFILE
Select PROFILE and specify the time interval (DTPLOT) between saving profile data
(PROFILEDATA) to be 20 minutes.
Results are printed to a file which can be read by the OLGA plotting package to produce
profile plots i.e. each variable is presented as function of position along a tubing or a pipe.
Since OLGA is transient you can produce such profile plots for various points in time.

TREND
Select TREND and specify the time interval (DTPLOT) between saving trend data
(TRENDDATA) to be 60 seconds.
Results are printed to a file which can be read by the OLGA plotting package to produce
trend plots i.e. each variable is defined at specific positions in a tubing or pipe and you
plot the time variations of the variable at those position

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 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – GUIDED TOUR

Verify

The model is now ready to run. This can be confirmed by checking the Verify icon in the
toolbar or by pressing <F7>. Verification succeeded is printed in the Output window
(normally in the lower left part of your screen).

OUTPUT DATA

However, to make a case of any use we need to specify the output variables of interest.
Right click on the FLOWPATH : FLOWLINE and select OUTPUTDATA from the OUTPUT
dropdown menu

Click on the drop down icon, ( ), under VARIABLE in the Property window to access the
full listing of all the variables that can be used as output variables.

OLGA calculates several hundred

output variables. If you want to add
variables to a model you already have
run, you need to re-run the simulation
to see the results with the new
variables. Try to consider what you
really need before adding too many
variables.

The variables are listed alphabetically by their label. They can also be listed by their Group
according to the type

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 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – GUIDED TOUR

of variable. You will find out by toggling the headline :

Sort by Group and select the Boundary variables to print:-

ID(Flow Regime Indicator)

UG (Gas Velocity)
UL (Liquid Velocity)

Select the following Volume variables to print:

HOL (Hold-up
PT (Pressure)
TM (Temperature

The property window should now show the variables you have specified:

Add PROFILEDATA under the Flowpath Ouput .

(Right-Click on Output and Add Æ PROFILEDATA)

The short codes for each variable can be typed in directly in the VARIABLE field.

17
 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – GUIDED TOUR

(The full list of applicable variables is accessed by

clicking on the down icon, ( ), under VARIABLE.)

Enter the following variables to plot:-

Flow Regime Indicator (ID)

Total Liquid Volume Flow (QLT)
Total liquid hold-up (HOL)
Pressure (PT)
Temperature (TM)

Right click on the FLOWPATH : FLOWLINE and

select TRENDDATA from the OUTPUT dropdown
menu.

Specify the following variables to plot in the Property window for

the first pipe section (PIPE = PIPE-1, SECTION = 1) :-

Pressure (PT)
Temperature (TM)

The pipe is selected by clicking on the drop down icon under

PIPE to access the Select Pipe window, selecting PIPE-1 and
clicking the right arrow, (>). Also enter section no 1.

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 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – GUIDED TOUR

Now right click on

TRENDDATA :
TRENDDATA[1] - COPY
followed by PASTE. This
will create a duplicate
TRENDDATA element
called TRENDDATA :
TRENDDATA[2].

Select the new

TRENDDATA Properties
and change the PIPE to
PIPE-2, the SECTION to 5
and add the following
variables (boundary):-

GT (Total Mass Flowrate)

QLT (Total Liquid Volume
Flow)

PLOT
Right click on Output in the
Model View and then
select Add and then Plot.
Specify DTPLOT to 5 s,
and enter the labels for
liquid hold-up (HOL) and
pressure (PT).

The Plot output directive

creates a file which can be
read by the program called
OLGA Viewer, which gives
you flow animations.

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 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – GUIDED TOUR

RUN THE SIMULATIONS

The model is now complete and ready to run. It can be checked by clicking on the Verify
icon, ( ), or <F7>. Any messages will be shown in the Output window on the bottom left
hand side of the screen. In the event that any errors are highlighted, you may go directly to
the error by clicking on the arrow icon, ( ) in the Output window.
Once you have checked the model, click on the Run simulation icon, (►), or <F5> to run the
simulation. Successful completion of the simulation will be indicated by message ‘NORMAL
STOP IN EXECUTION’.

CONGRATULATIONS, you have now built your first OLGA simulation.

Select units

If you have not selected your preferred unit system it is suitable to do it now – before staring
looking at the results: Select Tools on the top bar and then Options and then
Default Units

You may select from pre-defined unit systems or set your own units for each type of
variable. You can then save your own set for re-use. For this application both the Metric and
the OilField system should be relevant.

The simulation profile plots

may be viewed by selecting the Profile Plot icon, ( ). The Select variables window will
appear which will allow the desired variables to be selected.

20
 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – GUIDED TOUR

Check Geometry (pipeline profile), hold-up (HOL), pressure (PT) and temperature (TM).
The units to be applied may also be changed in this window.

Note that there are a number of filters available to screen out the cases, variables or branch
to ease the variable selection process.

You may also compare with other cases by adding the relevant plot-files

Click on [OK] and the resulting graph should look like the following profile plot:-

21
 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – GUIDED TOUR

Changes in the profile variables with time can be viewed by selecting the black arrow:
Replay speed can also be varied (real speed will depend somewhat on computer capacity
and size of the actual graph). You may also use the slide to view changes with time.

To see exact values Right Click in the graph and select Track Values. A moveable window
with values for each variable in the graph - depending on position – will appear.

The values can be copied/pasted into an open Excel-worksheet (by right-clicking in the value
window and selecting Copy all data).
Individual graphs can be turned on and off by selecting (or deselecting) the tick in the legend.
There are also several features which may be accessed by right clicking in the OLGA Graph.

The simulation trend plots may be viewed by selecting the Trend Plot icon, ( ).
Remember that a trend plot gives the values of a variable as a function of time at a specific

22
 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – GUIDED TOUR

location, whereas a profile plot gives the values of a variable along the entire length of a
particular flowpath at your specified points of time.

The Select variables window will appear which will allow the desired variables to be
selected. Select the temperature (TM) and the total liquid volumetric flowrate (QLT) – both
at the outlet of the pipe. Change the units of temperature to °C as before.

Again, there are a number of additional graphing features which can be accessed by right
clicking in the OLGA Plot window.

The resulting graph is presented below. Note that although the Total liquid flowrate coming
out of the flowline has reached a stable condition, the temperature is still changing slightly
indicating that a true steady state condition has not quite been achieved, (albeit by a tenth
of a degree – always remember to take the scale into account).

The effect of changing the flowrate shall

now be investigated, i.e. the mass
flowrate entering the flowpath is to be
reduced from 2.5 kg/s to 0.25 kg/s. To
do this, we will create a new case
based on the original file.

To make a new case, based on an

existing case, first select the case to be

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 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – GUIDED TOUR

copied in the Model View window. Select <File> <Duplicate Case> from the
menu and save the new case as {Turndown Case.opi}.

Select the SOURCE in the new case, change the MASSFLOW to 0.25 kg/s and
run.

Plot the total liquid mass flowrate at the outlet of the flowline for both cases to
compare the results.
Add the .tpl file for the first
case in the selection window:

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 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – GUIDED TOUR

Note the apparently random variations in the outlet flowrate for the turndown case. This
may be due to the plotting frequency used.

To test this, change the plotting interval under Output TREND from 60 seconds to 1
second and run the revised turndown case.

The results at the new flowrate are presented below.

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 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – GUIDED TOUR

Now try repeating the simulation, changing the fluid file to the file tour-gas.tab with the mass
flowrate at 2.5 kg/s to see the effect.

You are encouraged to look into some of the additional options available that allow the
layout to be customised by changing the default units, the screen appearance, etc. These
options are accessed via <Tools> <Options>.

Additional functionality in the GUI includes the ability to write a report which summarises the
model. This is accessed from <Tools> <Generate Report.

26
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