10 Challenges at Linnorm
10 Challenges at Linnorm
10 Challenges at Linnorm
Lisa C. Paulsson
Kenneth Vullum-Bruer
Octoberr 2012
Linnorm Location
Aasta Hansteen (Statoil)
NSGI pipeline
Linnorm
Draugen
Ormen Lange
Nyhamna
Langeled
RESTRICTED
Discovered in 2005
Field layout
Thermal management
Very high flowing wellhead temperature (max 176oC)
Above
Subsea HIPPS
De-rated
Subsea cooler
flowing wellhead temperature of 176oC while qualified
flowline insulation limit is 155oC
Maximum
Reheat
North
Copyright 2012 A/S Norske Shell
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The gas flows inside the cooler pipes from the inlet manifold at the
top to the discharge manifold at the bottom.
The cooler is immersed in sea water which functions as the
coolant and which flows by natural convection from the bottom to
the top of the cooler.
COOLCAT (FMCs Excel/VBA tool)
used to calculate cooler performance
Copyright: FMC
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Cooler design
The cooler design has been an iterative process
The condensation heat ensures a relatively wide operating envelope
injection
accumulation
From wells
Wax
Flow
distribution
To flowline
Copyright: FMC
Fouling/marine
Pressure
growth
drop/erosion/vibration
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Operational modes
Normal operation
Turndown
Planned shutdown
Unplanned shutdown
Hydrate remediation
Start-up
Depressurization
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Normal operation
Flowline insulation (wet) ensures normal operation above Hydrate
Equilibrium Temperature and Critical Wax Deposition Temperature
for reasonable turndown rates
Topside arrival temperature requirement allows time for hydrate
management in case of an unplanned shutdown
No continuous chemical injection is needed for hydrate and wax
management
Continuous scale inhibitor injection is required
Topside choking shall be minimized to avoid spurious trips of the
subsea PSD/HIPPS => High continuous pressure drop across the
subsea chokes
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Turndown rates
Early and mid life turndown is governed by thermal turndown to
stay above the topside arrival temperature requirement
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Shutdown
Planned shutdown
Preserve
Turn
Unplanned shutdown
Batch
Turn
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Copyright 2012 A/S Norske Shell
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Start-up
Turn on DEH well in advance of start-up
Flowline pressure must be sufficiently high
Methanol must be injected continuously upstream of the subsea
choke until the temperature at the flowline inlet is above HET
Turn off DEH when topside arrival temperature is above the
required topside arrival temperature
North
Copyright 2012 A/S Norske Shell
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Hydrate remediation
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Depressurization
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