Increasing Production by Applying Active Slug-Suppression Technology

Active slug-control methods have been developed in recent years. One such system is a relatively inexpensive solution developed by Shell that has proved to be very effective in stabilizing slugging in flowlines and risers. Field data from case histories in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM), Malaysia, and Nigeria indicate that production gains of 10% are often possible.

Introduction

The active slug-control method in question uses a single standard control valve and pressure sensors immediately upstream and downstream of the valve. One advantage of this method is that a choke/control valve is often already installed.