Open AccessA reliable strategy for slug flow attenuation in pipeline-riser systems
Author(s) -
Adegboyega B. Ehinmowo,
E. T. Evwierhoma,
Aliyu M. Aliyu,
Yahaya D. Baba
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of physics. conference series
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.21
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1742-6596
pISSN - 1742-6588
DOI - 10.1088/1742-6596/1378/4/042103
Subject(s) - slugging , slug flow , attenuation , separator (oil production) , petroleum engineering , pipeline transport , environmental science , marine engineering , tripping , pipeline (software) , computer science , engineering , process engineering , flow (mathematics) , two phase flow , mechanical engineering , environmental engineering , physics , geometry , mathematics , circuit breaker , optics , thermodynamics
Oil and gas activities across the globe now take place deep offshore. To operate in this harsh environment, there are numerous challenges. These can be in the form of high cost of production, space constraints, operational and technological demands. The co-transportation of oil and gas in same pipeline is one of the operational and technological approaches adopted in the industry to meet the transportation of produced crude. This approach comes with its attendant flow assurance difficulties. Slugging is one of such problems which can constitute operational hitches resulting in production reduction and sometimes eventual plant shutdown. Existing attenuation techniques are limited in various ways. Therefore, seeking a reliable solution to this problem is highly desired.In this study, an experimental study of multiple techniques for slug attenuation was attempted. A passive device-the intermittent slug absorber, topside choking and topside separator were investigated. The results show that a combination of the methods proves to be more effective compared to individual techniques. A significant reduction in riser- base pressure of up to 39% was achieved. This is advantageous and translates to an increase in oil recovery. Thus, the proposed strategy helps to achieve system stability and improved production at a lower cost.