Hydrocarbon Processing: Futuristic Issues and Challenges

Abstract

The hydrocarbon industry is embedded with a host of complexities and challenges on account of various processing strategies and characteristic of the inputs involved. Each step requires precise planning and committed efforts of experienced professionals to satisfy the demand of all concerned groups and the regulatory authorities. Flow assurance is one of the main challenges experienced due to high viscosity and pour point of the crude emulsion having relatively higher wax, resins, asphaltene, etc. The stringent water content requirement of processing units demands very effective demulsification due to technical and commercial implications. The H₂S mitigation has emerged as one of the most critical operational challenges and requires multipronged approach to circumvent the problem. As most of the hydrocarbon-producing fields are very old, effective effluent management and maintaining reservoir integrity have become burning issues. Moreover, maintaining the health and integrity of pipelines and operating system have become a perennial source of headache for operational team. In present scenario, greater thrust on R&D along with an in-depth analysis of the issues even at molecular level is required and proper interaction of industries and academia may contain all the problems and complication effectively by introduction of novel chemicals and technologies.