Flow Assurance
Flow Assurance
Flow Assurance
Vijay Sarathy
Senior Engineer
Staff ID: 7142
Process Technologies Department
Saipem India Projects Ltd.
March, 2011
What is Flow Assurance?
Phase change is the key factor determining Pipeline Design & Operations
Single Phase Pipeline Flow is easier to manage since
Offer Lower pressure drops compared to similar multiphase configuration
Avoids slugging phenomena
For liquid lines, single phase pumps can be used which are cheaper
Multiphase flow (2/3 phase)
Higher Pressure drops (Larger pipelines do not always lead to lower P!!)
Affects quality of transported product
Affects Pipeline Blow down Temperatures & Flows
Necessity for a Slug Catcher to address possible slugging
Multiphase pumps are needed which can prove to be relatively expensive
Sand Laden flow cause erosion (Duplex steel might be needed)
Existence of Hydrates problem
Two Phase P Profile for Hilly Terrain
Typical Pipeline Activities in Flow Assurance
Thermo hydraulic Calculations (P, Velocity & EVR Criteria, Flows, etc)
Pipe wall thickness estimation
Pipeline Start up
Pipeline Shutdown
Ramp up / Ramp Down (Turndown)
Pipeline Pigging
Pipeline Depressurization
Hydrate Inhibitor Dosage Calculations
Choke Valve Calculations
Pipeline Surge Analysis
Sample Pipeline Report