Skip to main content
Log in

Research progress on hydrate plugging in multiphase mixed rich-liquid transportation pipelines

  • Review Article
  • Published:
Frontiers in Energy Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The plugging mechanism of multiphase mixed rich-liquid transportation in submarine pipeline is a prerequisite for maintaining the fluid flow in the pipeline and ensuring safe fluid flow. This paper introduced the common experimental devices used to study multiphase flow, and summarized the plugging progress and mechanism in the liquid-rich system. Besides, it divided the rich-liquid phase system into an oil-based system, a partially dispersed system, and a water-based system according to the different water cuts, and discussed the mechanism of hydrate plugging. Moreover, it summarized the mechanism and the use of anti-agglomerates in different systems. Furthermore, it proposed some suggestions for future research on hydrate plugging. First, in the oil-based system, the effect factors of hydrates are combined with the mechanical properties of hydrate deposit layer, and the hydrate plugging mechanism models at inclined and elbow pipes should be established. Second, the mechanism of oil-water emulsion breaking in partially dispersed system and the reason for the migration of the oil-water interface should be analyzed, and the property of the free water layer on the hydrate plugging process should be quantified. Third, a complete model of the effect of the synergy of liquid bridge force and van der Waals force in the water-based system on the hydrate particle coalescence frequency model is needed, and the coalescence frequency model should be summarized. Next, the dynamic analysis of a multiphase mixed rich-liquid transportation pipeline should be coupled with the process of hydrate coalescence, deposition, and blockage decomposition. Finally, the effects of anti-agglomerates on the morphological evolution of hydrate under different systems and pipeline plugging conditions in different media should be further explored.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Sarshar M, Fathikalajahi J, Esmaeilzadeh F. Experimental and theoretical study of gas hydrate formation in a high-pressure flow loop. Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering, 2010, 88(5): 751–757

    Google Scholar 

  2. Majid A A, Lee W, Srivastava V, Chen L, Warrier P, Grasso G, Vijayamohan P, Chaudhari P, Sloan E D, Koh C A, Zerpa L E. Experimental investigation of gas-hydrate formation and particle transportability in fully and partially dispersed multiphase-flow systems using a high-pressure flow loop. SPE Journal, 2017, 23(03): 0937–0951

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Chen Y C, Shi B H, Li W Q, Liu Y, Song S, Ding L, Gong J. Progress of influence mechanism of kinetic hydrate inhibitors. Chemical Industry and Engineering Progress, 2018, 37(5): 1726–1743 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  4. Joshi S V, Grasso G, Lafond P G, Rao I, Webb E, Zerpa L E, Sloan E D, Koh C A, Sum A K. Experimental flowloop investigations of gas hydrate formation in high water cut systems. Chemical Engineering Science, 2013, 97: 198–209

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Akhfash M, Aman Z M, Ahn S Y, Johns M L, May E F. Gas hydrate plug formation in partially-dispersed water-oil systems. Chemical Engineering Science, 2016, 140: 337–347

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Grasso G A, Sloan E D, Koh C A, Sum A K, Greek J L, Kusinki G. Hydrate deposition mechanisms on pipe walls. In: Proceedings of the Annual Offshore Technology Conference, Houston, USA, 2014

  7. Jensen L B, Thomsen K, Von Solms N. Propane hydrate nucleation: experimental investigation and correlation. Chemical Engineering Science, 2008, 63(12): 3069–3080

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Wang R, Li R, Zhang L, Sun J S, Sun H P, Shi X M. Kinetic mechanism of hydrophilic amino acid inhibiting the formation of tetrahydrofuran (THF) hydrate. Natural Gas Industry, 2019, 39(9): 82–88 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  9. Del Villano L, Kelland M A. An investigation into the kinetic hydrate inhibitor properties of two imidazolium-based ionic liquids on structure II gas hydrate. Chemical Engineering Science, 2010, 65 (19): 5366–5372

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Song G C, Li Y X, Wang W C, Jiang K, Shi Z, Zhao P. A review on hydrate deposition in oil and gas transmission pipelines. Chemical Industry and Engineering Progress, 2017, 36(9): 3164–3176 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  11. Fidel-Dufour A, Herri J M. Formation and transportation of methane hydrate slurries in a flow loop reactor: influence of a dispersant. In: 4th International Conference on Gas Hydrates, Yokohama, Japan, 2002

  12. Shi B H, Song S H, Yi C G, Yong Y, Li W Q, Ding L, Liu Y, Song S F, Gong J. Experimental research progress on hydrate flow loops. Chemical Industry and Engineering Progress, 2018, 37(4): 1347–1363 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  13. Fidel-Dufour A, Gruy F, Herri J M. Rheological characterization and modelling of hydrates slurries during crystallization under laminar flowing. In: Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Gas Hydrates, Tromdheim, Norway, 2005

  14. Fidel-Dufour A, Gruy F, Herri J. Rheology of methane hydrate slurries during their crystallization in a water in dodecane emulsion under flowing. Chemical Engineering Science, 2006, 61(2): 505–515

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Cameirao A, Fezoua A, Ouabbas Y, Herri J M. Agglomeration of gas hydrate in a water-in-oil emulsion: experimental and modeling studies. In: 7th International Conference on Gas Hydrates, Edimbourg, UK

  16. Cameirão A, Le Ba H, Darbouret M, Herri J M, Peytavy J L, Glénat P. Chord length distributions interpretation using a polydispersed population: modeling and experiments. Journal of Crystal Growth, 2012, 342(1): 65–71

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Melchuna A, Cameirão A, Ouabbas Y, HerriJ M, Glénat P. Transport of hydrate slurry at high water cut. In: 8th International Conference on Gas Hydrates, Beijing, China, 2014

  18. Melchuna A, Cameirao A, Herri J, Glenat P. Topological modeling of methane hydrate crystallization from low to high water cut emulsion systems. Fluid Phase Equilibria, 2016, 413: 158–169

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Palermo T, Fidel-Dufour A, Maurel P, Peytavy J I, Hurtevent C. Model of hydrates agglomeration—application to hydrates formation in an acidic crude oil. In: 12th International Conference on Multiphase Production Technology, Barcelona, Spain, 2005

  20. Palermo T, Mussumeci A, Leporcher E. Could hydrate plugging be avoided because of surfactant properties of the crude and appropriate flow conditions? In: Proceedings of the Annual Offshore Technology Conference, Houston, USA, 2004: 1561–1568

  21. Pauchard V, Darbouret M, Palermo T, Peytvy J L. Gas hydrate slurry flow in a black oil: prediction of gas hydrate particles agglomeration and linear pressure drop. In: 13th International Conference on Multiphase Production Technology, Edinburgh, UK, 2007: 343–355

  22. Pauchard V, Decarre S, Mogenier G, Peytvy J L. Oil line restart by gas injection under hydrate formation conditions. In: 13th International Conference on Multiphase Production Technology, Edinburgh, Scotland, 2007: 263–278

  23. Boxall J, Davies S, Nicholas J, Koh C, Sloan E D. Hydrate blockage potential in an oil-dominated system studied using a four inch flow loop. In: Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Gas Hydrates, British Columbia, Canada, 2008

  24. Joshi S V, Grasso G, Lafond P G, Rao I, Webb E, Zerpa L E, Sloan E D, Koh C A, Sum A K. Experimental flowloop investigations of gas hydrate formation in high water cut systems. Chemical Engineering Science, 2013, 97: 198–209

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Volk M. Hydrate plug characterization and dissociation strategies. Dissertation for Doctoral Degree. Tulsa: The University of Tulsa, 2010

    Google Scholar 

  26. Vijayamohan P, Majid A, Chaudhari P, Sloan E D, Sum A K, Koh C A, Dellacase E, Volk M. Hydrate modeling & flow loop experiments for water continuous & partially dispersed systems. In: Proceedings of the Annual Offshore Technology Conference, Houston, USA, 2014

  27. Vijayamohan P, Majid A, Chaudhari P, Sum A K. Understanding gas hydrate growth in partially dispersed and water continuous systems from flowloop tests. In: Proceeding of the Annual Offshore Technology Conference, Houston, USA, 2015

  28. Di Lorenzo M, Aman Z M, Sanchez Soto G, Johns M, Kozielski K A, May E F. Hydrate formation in gas-dominant systems using a single-pass flowloop. Energy & Fuels, 2014, 28(5): 3043–3052

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Di Lorenzo M, Aman Z M, Kozielski K, Norris B W E, Johns M L. Underinhibited hydrate formation and transport investigated using a single-pass gas-dominant flowloop. Energy & Fuels, 2014, 28(11): 7274–7284

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Lund A, Lier O, Urdahl O, Gjetsen L H, Jakobsen T, Støvneng J A. A study and hypothesis of hydrate growth using a low dosage hydrate inhibitor (during a shut-in period in a multiphase pipeline). In: Proceedings of the 7th International Offshore and Polar Engineering Conference, Honolulu, USA, 1997

  31. Hemmingsen P V, Li X, Kinnari K. Hydrate plugging potential in under inhibited systems. In: Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Gas Hydrates, Vancouver, Canada, 2008

  32. Wang W C, Fan S S, Liang D Q, Guan J. Experimental investigation on formation and blockage of HCFC-141b hydrates in pipeline. Journal of Xi’an Jiaotong University, 2008, 42(5): 602–606 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  33. Sun C Y, Chen G J. A study on the kinetic behavior of hydrate formation in multiphase flow system using laser light scattering method. China Population, Resources and Environment, 2003, 13: 25–29 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  34. Sun C Y, Chen G J, Wang W Q, Wang X L. The experimental evaluation for controlling hydrate plug in oil-gas-water multiphase pipeline. Natural Gas Chemical Industry, 2005, 45(6): 32–42 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  35. Li Q P, Yao H Y, Chen G J. An experimental study on flow pattern of hydrate slurry after adding anti-agglomerates. Journal of Engineering Thermophysics, 2008, 29(12): 2057–2060 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  36. Yan K L, Sun C Y, Zou B, Jiang S X, He J, Tang M. Study on inhibition performance of combined hydrate inhibitor in a flow loop apparatus. Science Technology and Engineering, 2015, 15: 136–141 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  37. Li W Q. Experimental study on multiphase flow mechanism of hydrate slurry in pipes. Dissertation for Doctoral Degree. Beijing: China University of Petroleum, 2012 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  38. Li W, Gong J, Lu X, Zhao J, Feng Y, Yu D. A study of hydrate plug formation in a subsea natural gas pipeline using a novel high-pressure flow loop. Petroleum Science, 2013, 10(1): 97–105

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Lv X, Shi B, Wang Y, Gong J. Study on gas hydrate formation and hydrate slurry flow in a multiphase transportation system. Energy & Fuels, 2013, 27(12): 7294–7302

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Lv X F, Wu H H, Shi B H, Li W Q, Tang Y X, Gong J. Experimental study on the time for CO2 hydrate blockage in a flow loop. Research and Exploration in Laboratory, 2013, 32(11): 197–202 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  41. Lv X F, Wang Y, Li W Q, Wang L Y, Ding L, Gao F, Gong J. An experimental study of the hydrate blockage in the oil-dominated flow system. Natural Gas Industry, 2014, 34(11): 108–114 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  42. Lv X F, Shi B H, Wang Y, Yu D, Tang Y X, Gong J. Visually experimental study of hydrate formation based on PVM. Research and Exploration in Laboratory, 2014, 33(11): 6–9 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  43. Lv X F, Hu S W, Yu D, Tang Y X, Gong J. Experimental study of hydrate formation characteristics based on FBRM. Experimental Technology and Management, 2014, 31(11): 84–88 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  44. Lv X F, Shi B H, Wang Y, Tang Y X, Wang L Y, Gong J. Experimental study on hydrate induction time of gas-saturated water-in-oil emulsion using a high-pressure flow loop. Oil & Gas Science and Technology, 2015, 70(6): 1111–1124

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Wu H H, Yang L, Lv X F, Wang Y, Ding L, Gong J. Study on experiment of gas hydrate formation rate. Experimental Technology and Management, 2014, 31(1): 36–40 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  46. Ding L, Shi B, Lv X, Liu Y, Wu H, Wang W, Gong J. Investigation of natural gas hydrate slurry flow properties and flow patterns using a high pressure flow loop. Chemical Engineering Science, 2016, 146: 199–206

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. Ding L, Shi B, Lv X, Liu Y, Wu H, Wang W, Gong J. Hydrate formation and plugging mechanisms in different gas-liquid flow patterns. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 2017, 56 (14): 4173–4184

    Article  Google Scholar 

  48. Aman Z M. Interfacial phenomena of cyclopentane hydrate. Dissertation for the Doctoral Degree. Golden: Colorado School of Mines, 2012

    Google Scholar 

  49. Liu Y, Shi B, Lv X, Ding L, Wang W, Gong J. Hydrate plugging mechanisms of oil-dominated, water-dominated and partially dispersed system. Chinese Science Bulletin, 2017, 62(13): 1365–1376 (in Chinese)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  50. Sloan E D. Natural Gas Hydrates in Flow Assurance. Burlington: Gulf Professional Publishing, 2010

    Google Scholar 

  51. Sum A K, Koh C A, Sloan E D. Developing a comprehensive understanding and model of hydrate in multiphase flow: from laboratory measurements to field applications. Energy & Fuels, 2012, 26(7): 4046–4052

    Article  Google Scholar 

  52. Song G, Li Y, Wang W, Jiang K, Ye X, Zhao P F. Investigation of hydrate plugging in natural gas + diesel oil + water systems using a high-pressure flow loop. Chemical Engineering Science, 2017, 158: 480–489

    Article  Google Scholar 

  53. Shi S, Tang E, Yang S, Li B, Zhang X, Wang Z, Dai X, Li R, Li F. Numerical simulation on sweep efficiency of polymer flooding in thick reservoirs in Bohai oilfield. Journal of Yangtze University (Natural Science Edition), 2015, 12(17): 62–65 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  54. Taylor C J, Miller K T, Koh C A, Sloan E D Jr. Macroscopic investigation of hydrate film growth at the hydrocarbon/water interface. Chemical Engineering Science, 2007, 62(23): 6524–6533

    Article  Google Scholar 

  55. Turner D J, Miller K T, Dendy Sloan E. Methane hydrate formation and an inward growing shell model in water-in-oil dispersions. Chemical Engineering Science, 2009, 64(18): 3996–4004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  56. Zhu C, Li Y X, Wang W C. Static fluid bridging force between hydrate particles. Oil & Gas Field Surface Engineering, 2012, 31 (10): 26–28 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  57. Austvik T, Li X, Gjertsen L H. Hydrate plug properties: formation and removal of plugs. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 2000, 912(1): 294–303

    Article  Google Scholar 

  58. Liu H H, Li Y X, Wang W C, Chen P, Zhang Q, Gao S. Orthogonal experiment research on factors affecting hydrate accumulation. Oil & Gas Storage and Transportation, 2013, 32(11): 1232–1236 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  59. Song G C, Li Y X, Wang W C, Jiang K, Shi Z, Yao S. Orthogonal experiment research on factors affecting hydrate particle agglomeration frequency. Chemical Industry and Engineering Progress, 2018, 37(3): 970–975 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  60. Camargo R, Palermo T. Rheological properties of hydrate suspensions in an asphaltenic crude oil. In: Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Gas Hydrates, Yokohama, Japan, 2002: 880–885

  61. Aman Z M, Brown E P, Sloan E D, Sum A K, Koh C A. Interfacial mechanisms governing cyclopentane clathrate hydrate adhesion/cohesion. Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 2011, 13(44): 19796–19806

    Article  Google Scholar 

  62. Sjöblom J, Ovrevoll B, Jentoft G, Lesaint C, Palermo T, Sinquin A, Gateau P, Barré L, Subramanian S, Boxall J, Davies S, Dieker L, Greaves D, Lachance J, Rensing P, Miller K, Sloan E D, Koh C A. Investigation of the hydrate plugging and non-plugging properties of oils. Journal of Dispersion Science and Technology, 2010, 31(8): 1100–1119

    Article  Google Scholar 

  63. Aman Z M, Zerpa L E, Koh C A, Sum A K. Development of a tool to assess hydrate-plug-formation risk in oil-dominant pipelines. SPE Journal, 2015, 20(04): 884–892

    Article  Google Scholar 

  64. Zhao P F, Wang W C, Li Y X. Pipe wall adhesion mechanism of natural gas hydrate particles in oil-dominated flowlines. Oil & Gas Storage and Transportation, 2016, 35(5): 482–487(in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  65. Taylor C J. Adhesion force between hydrate particles and macroscopic investigation of hydrate film growth at the hydrocarbon/water interface. Dissertation for Doctoral Degree. Golden: Colorado School of Mines, 2006

    Google Scholar 

  66. Aspenes G, Dieker L E, Aman Z, Høiland S, Sum A K, Koh C A, Sloan E D. Adhesion force between cyclopentane hydrates and solid surface materials. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 2010, 343(2): 529–536

    Article  Google Scholar 

  67. Karanjkar P U, Ahuja A, Zylyftari G, Lee J W F. Morris J. Rheology of cyclopentane hydrate slurry in a model oil-continuous emulsion. Rheologica Acta, 2016, 55(3): 235–243

    Article  Google Scholar 

  68. Nicholas J W, Dieker L E, Nuebling L, Horn B, He H, Koh C A, Sloan E D. Experimental investigation of deposition and wall growth in water saturated hydrocarbon pipelines in the absence of free water. In: Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Gas Hydrates, Vancouver, Canada, 2008

  69. Wang Z, Zhang J, Sun B, Chen L, Zhao Y, Fu W. A new hydrate deposition prediction model for gas-dominated systems with free water. Chemical Engineering Science, 2017, 163: 145–154

    Article  Google Scholar 

  70. Doron P, Simkhis M, Barnea D. Flow of solid-liquid mixtures in inclined pipes. International Journal of Multiphase Flow, 1997, 23 (2): 313–323

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  71. Grasso G A. Investigation of hydrate formation and transportability in multiphase flow systems. Dissertation for Doctoral Degree. Golden: Colorado School of Mines, 2015

    Google Scholar 

  72. Aman Z M, Di Lorenzo M, Kozielski K, Koh C A, Warrier P, Johns M L, May E F. Hydrate formation and deposition in a gas-dominant flowloop: initial studies of the effect of velocity and subcooling. Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering, 2016, 35: 1490–1498

    Article  Google Scholar 

  73. Song G C, Li Y X, Wang W C, Jiang K, Shi Z, Yao S. Investigation on the mechanical properties of pipe wall hydrate deposits based on particle packing theory. Chemical Industry and Engineering Progress, 2018, 37(9): 3370–3378

    Google Scholar 

  74. Jassim E I, Abdi M A, Muzychka Y S. A new approach to investigate hydrate deposition in gas-dominated flowlines. Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering, 2010, 2(4): 163–177

    Article  Google Scholar 

  75. Balakin B V, Lo S, Kosinski P, Hoffmann A C. Modelling agglomeration and deposition of gas hydrates in industrial pipelines with combined CFD-PBM technique. Chemical Engineering Science, 2016, 153: 45–57

    Article  Google Scholar 

  76. Wei D, Wang W C, Li Y X, Zhao P F, Song G C. Numerical simulation on flow behaviors of CCl3F hydrate slurry in pipelines. Oil & Gas Storage and Transportation, 2016, 35(8): 828–832 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  77. Balakin B V, Hoffmann A C, Kosinski P. Experimental study and computational fluid dynamics modeling of deposition of hydrate particles in a pipeline with turbulent water flow. Chemical Engineering Science, 2011, 66(4): 755–765

    Article  Google Scholar 

  78. Song G C, Li Y X, Wang W C, Yao S N, Wei D, Yan B. Numerical simulation of pipeline hydrate deposition based on population balance theory. Petrochemical Technology, 2018, 47(2): 153–163 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  79. AA-Majid A, Lee W, Srivastava V, Chen L, Grasso G, Vijayamohan P, Chaudhari P, Sloan E D, Koh C A, Zerpa L. The study of gas hydrate formation and particle transportability using a high pressure flowloop. In: Proceedings of the Annual Offshore Mediterranean Conference and Exhibition, Houston, USA, 2016: 4447–4460

  80. Song G C, Shi Z Z, Li Y X, Wang W C, Zhao P F, Jiang K, Yao S P. Hydrate formation in oil-water systems: investigations of the influences of temperature, pressure and rotation rate. Chemical Industry and Engineering Progress, 2019, 38(3): 1338–1345 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  81. Song G C, Li Y X, Wang W C, Jiang K, Shi Z Z, Zhao P F. A review on hydrate deposition in oil and gas transmission pipelines. Chemical Industry and Engineering Progress, 2017, 36(9): 3164–3176 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  82. Balakin B V, Hoffmann A C, Kosinski P. Population balance model for nucleation, growth, aggregation, and breakage of hydrate particles in turbulent flow. AIChE Journal, 2009, 56(8): 2052–2062

    Google Scholar 

  83. Sun X, Liu D J, Cui Q H, Wu Y G. Research progress on formation of hydrates in pipelines in China. Chemical Industry and Engineering Progress, 2018, 37(7): 2565–2576 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  84. Gao S. Hydrate risk management at high water cuts with anti-agglomerant hydrate inhibitors. Energy & Fuels, 2009, 23(4): 2118–2121

    Article  Google Scholar 

  85. Li W Z, Chen G J, Sun C Y, Mu L, Chen J, Yang Y T. Properties of gas hydrate slurry with anti-agglomerating agent in cycle flow system. Petrochemical Technology, 2012, 41(3): 313–318 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Shuyu Song.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Song, S., Liu, Z., Zhou, L. et al. Research progress on hydrate plugging in multiphase mixed rich-liquid transportation pipelines. Front. Energy 16, 774–792 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11708-020-0688-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11708-020-0688-x

Keywords

Navigation