Enhancing Online HydraCHECK Technology for Mitigation of CO2 induced Hydrate Formation; an Innovative Solution to Address an Old Flow Assurance Problem

The energy and carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) sectors are encountering a challenge concerning flow assurance attributable to hydrate deposition within pipelines, wherein hydrate formation frequently occurs at inaccessible sites. Beyond mere obstruction, one of the key issues involves the displacement of hydrate plugs within pipelines at high velocities, posing a potential rupture risk.

Any obstruction within a transportation pipeline due to hydrate formation represents a grave threat to both economic viability and operational safety.

Traditionally, mitigating hydrate-related risks in transfer lines and process facilities involves eliminating one of the factors conducive to hydrate formation. For instance, methods such as thermal insulation and external heating are employed to address the low-temperature aspect. Water removal can be achieved through stream dehydration using glycol systems, while lowering operating pressures can diminish the likelihood of hydrate formation within production, carbon capture, and transportation systems.

However, the applicability of these conventional techniques may be limited, particularly in offshore and deepwater settings, due to spatial constraints and the associated high costs of insulation, heating, and capital investment.

Presently, the prevalent industry approach involves the utilisation of various chemical or hydrate inhibitors to counteract this flow assurance impediment. Nevertheless, the substantial dosage requirements of these inhibitors can lead to significant escalations in operational expenses, particularly in scenarios characterized by high water concentrations within the system, along with logistical and environmental challenges.

Therefore, enhanced insights into monitoring of the concentration of inhibitors and chemicals in the field for hydrate mitigation empower energy operators to effectively manage the concentrations of the chemicals they used, cut the operation costs, and ultimately optimising CO2 transportation, storage, and gas production operations.

This innovative project's objective is to pioneer the development of the world's first ultrafast and smart online hydrate inhibitors monitoring technology. Simultaneously, it aims to create an intelligent technology for optimisation of the hydrate inhibitors in the field and saving £billions per year. This novel technology serves not only hydrocarbon production applications for maximising the economic recovery but also for CCUS applications to reach net-zero targets, both in the UK and globally.