TY - THES

T1 - Optimization of the pipeline network for gathering oil with high content of paraffin in the offshore field of Vietnam

AU - Gabdullin, Ilnur

N1 - embargoed until null

PY - 2020

Y1 - 2020

N2 - In this work, the pipeline network for gathering oil with high paraffin content connecting production platforms of the offshore field is simulated and optimization options for preventing oil from solidifying in the pipeline are proposed. The approach is based on the data from a Vietnamese offshore field and Pipesim program to simulate the flow in pipelines transporting oil to offshore platforms. Based on the simulation results, methods to optimize the transportation of oil from offshore fields are proposed. These methods consider the changing of the temperature distribution of the fluid along the pipeline by application of the thermal insulation and increasing of the fluid velocity by decreasing diameter of the pipe. For each pipeline, insulation material with the minimum allowable thickness was chosen and the cooling time to the pour point temperature was calculated in case of a pipeline shutdown. The optimal thickness of the insulation and diameter of the pipe were determined by means of the Network simulation and System analysis in Pipesim. In addition, optimization results are economically compared with the methods used in the field. Economic analysis showed the benefit of the manufacturing of the required insulation thickness instead of buying pipes with standard insulation thickness available on the market. Comparison of costs for depressor additives for 5 years and application of the thermal insulation showed that proposed method many times cheaper. Reducing the diameter of the pipe has not shown expediency of further optimization because of the significant increasing in pressure losses and minor effect in temperature distribution.

AB - In this work, the pipeline network for gathering oil with high paraffin content connecting production platforms of the offshore field is simulated and optimization options for preventing oil from solidifying in the pipeline are proposed. The approach is based on the data from a Vietnamese offshore field and Pipesim program to simulate the flow in pipelines transporting oil to offshore platforms. Based on the simulation results, methods to optimize the transportation of oil from offshore fields are proposed. These methods consider the changing of the temperature distribution of the fluid along the pipeline by application of the thermal insulation and increasing of the fluid velocity by decreasing diameter of the pipe. For each pipeline, insulation material with the minimum allowable thickness was chosen and the cooling time to the pour point temperature was calculated in case of a pipeline shutdown. The optimal thickness of the insulation and diameter of the pipe were determined by means of the Network simulation and System analysis in Pipesim. In addition, optimization results are economically compared with the methods used in the field. Economic analysis showed the benefit of the manufacturing of the required insulation thickness instead of buying pipes with standard insulation thickness available on the market. Comparison of costs for depressor additives for 5 years and application of the thermal insulation showed that proposed method many times cheaper. Reducing the diameter of the pipe has not shown expediency of further optimization because of the significant increasing in pressure losses and minor effect in temperature distribution.

KW - offshore pipelines

KW - wax deposition

KW - pipeline network optimization

KW - pipeline parafinization

KW - Offshore-Pipelines

KW - Wachsabscheidung

KW - Optimierung des Pipeline-Netzes

KW - Parafinierung von Pipelines

M3 - Master's Thesis

ER -