Flow Assurance: Managing Flow Dynamics and Production Chemistry

Introduction

Flow assurance is the application of multiple disciplines to ensure economic rates of flow from the hydrocarbon reservoir to a production facility over the life of a field and in any environment. A variety of problems can be encountered to the detriment of the piping system and associated equipment.

As an example, multiphase mixtures of oil, natural gas, water, and deposits are normally piped between the reservoir and the surface. In addition, the flow regime may change in different sections of the pipeline. All these issues can lead to a multitude of pipeline failures including corrosion, erosion, and blockage, etc.

This 5-day intensive Flow Assurance training course provides participants with fundamental knowledge about a variety of disciplines that are required to safely and economically transport the process throughout different sections of the piping system. This is particularly beneficial for any company hoping to avoid the high maintenance and failure costs associated with process transport.

This training course will feature:

• Process flow regimes, influence, and mitigation
• The structural integrity of piping systems
• Environmental concerns and control
• Pipeline corrosion principles, control, and protection
• Influence of substance formation, hydrates, waxes, etc.
• Pipeline inspection, maintenance, and cleaning.

Objectives

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Have a sound understanding of relevant flow regimes that affect the integrity of piping systems and methods of control
• Recognize the cause and influence of the formation of substances that may damage the piping system or disrupt the process flow
• Recognize various aggressive environmental factors affecting pipeline systems
• Understand the basic principles of pipeline corrosion and methods of protection
• Understand the application of relevant pipeline maintenance and cleaning techniques
• Have knowledge of process metering methods

Training Methodology

This is an interactive course. There will be open question and answer sessions, regular group exercises and activities, videos, case studies, and presentations on best practice. Participants will have the opportunity to share with the facilitator and other participants on what works well and not so well for them, as well as work on issues from their own organizations.

Who Should Attend?

This training course is suitable for a wide range of professionals but will greatly benefit:

• Maintenance and inspection engineers
• Construction engineers
• Risk assessment personnel and health & safety officers
• Facilities engineers and operators
• Managers and supervisors
• Project planners and procurement personnel
• Plant contractors

Course Outline

Day 1: Pipelines Systems and Structural Integrity

• Introduction to process pipelines from source to production facility

• Types of pipes, specifications, and construction

• Materials strength and relevant mechanical properties

• Pipeline structural integrity and mechanical failure, Fatigue, Creep, etc.

• Water hammer

• Worked examples of stress analysis

• Materials of construction

Day 2: Corrosion and Corrosion Control of Pipeline Systems

• Principles of corrosion

• Kinetics of corrosion

• Forms of Corrosion

• Uniform

• Bimetallic

• Pitting

• Stress corrosion cracking

• Erosion Corrosion

• Microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC)

• Hydrogen Induced, H2S, CO2

• Pipeline Coatings, External, Internal

• Corrosion Inhibitors

• Cathodic Protection, Sacrificial, Impressed Current

Day 3: Fundamental Principles of Flow Regimes and Flow Control

• Fundamental fluid Laws

• Flow profiles

• Pressure loss

• Multiphase flow

• Holdup effects

• Gas-liquid flow regimes in horizontal and vertical pipes, Flow regime maps

• Multiphase pumping systems

• Slug flow problems and damage

• Slug catchers

Day 4: Unwanted Products in Pipelines and Methods of Control

• Pipeline clogging and blockage of pipelines

• Unwanted product types

• Sand

• Salinity

• Hydrates

• Wax

• Asphaltenes

• Emulsions

• Scale

• Corrosion and Abrasive contents

• Chemicals injected to achieve flow assurance, Hydrate Inhibitors, Drag Reducing Agents, Solvents, etc.

• Testing and separation of unwanted products

Day 5: Pipeline Maintenance, Cleaning & Inspection and Flowrate Measurements

• Direct and indirect pipe inspection

• Pigging methods for cleaning

• Pigging Inspection

• Hydro-testing

• Inspection (NDT) techniques, x-ray, ultrasonic, Magnetic, etc.

• Overview of API 570 Pipe Inspection Code

• Flow rate measurements