Transient Simulation for Hydrate Mitigation Aims for Optimal Production in Kuwait Fields

In the deep high-pressure/high-temperature North Kuwait Jurassic (NKJ) fields, the pipelines connecting the wells to the processing facility are neither buried nor insulated. During the winter, the well fluid cools to below hydrate-formation temperature in the flowline, causing hydrate crystallization and even plugging. This paper presents the traditional methods of hydrate mitigation used in the NKJ fields and the way in which a transient model was initially built and continuously improved.

Challenges

Hydrate Formation. When the well forms hydrates, usually at night and early morning in winter, the field operators must wait for the ambient temperature to rise in order to melt the hydrate plugs.