Biopolymer substitution and impact on cuttings transport of a lightweight water-based drilling fluid
Date
2017
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
STM Journals
Abstract
The challenges associated with natural gas Pipeline flow assurance is an increasingly important issue as the world supply for natural gas expands, and is expected to rise more strongly to match the global demand for a cleaner energy. Flow assurance challenges in pipelines include hydrate formation, paraffin wax deposition, asphaltene deposition, sand deposits, black powder, and on the wall of pipelines, all of which obstruct the flow of well fluids and associated produced hydrocarbons. This study addressed these flow assurance concerns from a technical view by quantifying the threats and establishing appropriate mitigation schemes, leading to designed solutions and operational procedures. Modeling and simulation approach was adopted to achieve the overall aim. The simulation software tools PVTsim and OLGA were used for both steady state and dynamic states. The phase envelope investigation indicates that the cricondentherm within the constraint of the delivery temperature. The slugging analysis, indicates that hydrodynamic slugging will not be predominant for the pipeline operations at the design flow rate of 30MMscfd along Alakiri – Obigbo, and at 70MMscfd along the Obigbo Tie-in - Intermediate scrap station; as the flow regimes are mainly stratified for both pipeline systems. From the hydrate analysis investigated, after a shutdown period (no-touch time); hydrate threat is envisaged during the shutdown period of the Intermediate scraper trap – ALSCON along pipeline system, since the temperature drops to the hydrate formation temperature.
Description
A research article with tables and figures
Keywords
Cutting carrying index, cuttings transport, lightweight mud, mucuna solannie, Department of Petroleum Enginnering
Citation
Uwaezuoke, N., Onwukwe, S. I., Igwilo K. C. & Obah, B. (2017). Biopolymer substitution and impact on cuttings transport of a lightweight water-based drilling fluid. Journal of Petroleum Engineering & Technology, 7(2), 54 - 64