SSIC Module 2.

Basic Flow Assurance Principles

Subsea Systems Integration Course

 Module Objective

• Objective: To introduce flow assurance as a discipline and briefly

describe flow assurance problems found in many projects.

• At the end of this session you will be able to:

o Describe common flow assurance problems

Subsea Systems Integration Course

 What is Flow Assurance?

• Basic Definition of Flow Assurance – Keeping the Flow Path Open

• Key Roles
•Develop strategies to optimize production
•Develop strategies to control accumulation of solids that can block the
flow path & to remove solids if they become a problem
•Translate flow assurance strategies into required functionality for system
design, Operability strategies, and requirements for chemical injection
•Provide solutions for other problems related to flow and/or produced
fluid chemistry (e.g., corrosion, erosion, emulsions, foaming)
•Scope – The flow assurance scope is typically from the perforations to
the host

Subsea Systems Integration Course

 FA Role: Optimize Production

• Generate thermal-hydraulic models of the system(s) and

determine the best choices for optimizing production
• Line sizing
• Number of lines required
• Evaluate and recommend methods for production
enhancement
• Gas Lift – riser base
• Subsea boosting
• Recommend solutions for flow “problems” such as slugging,
viscous flow, and others
Subsea Systems Integration Course
 Slugging Control
Dril-Quip S3 Installation – Penguin Tie-in, Gannet Platform

Photo courtesy Ian Wood

Subsea Systems Integration Course
 FA Role: Develop Strategies to Manage Solids

Why Do Solids Form? Due to change in conditions from reservoir to host

Types of Solids to Manage:
• Hydrates – Gas stabilized solid form of water similar to “ice”.
Drivers: T, P, wc, oc
• Wax – Solid paraffin deposits from oil. Drivers: T, OC, p
• Asphaltenes – Solids components of black oils. Drivers: OC, P, t
• Ice – Ice can form in subsea systems with T < 0oC. Drivers: T, wc
• Scale – Inorganic solids formed from produced water. Drivers: T, WC, p

T,t-temperature, P,p-pressure, OC, oc-Oil composition, WC, wc – water composition

Subsea Systems Integration Course

 Hydrates

Photo Courtesy SGI-OGUA Hydrate Team

Subsea Systems Integration Course
 Wax

Photos courtesy SGSI-OGUA Wax Team

Subsea Systems Integration Course
 Asphaltenes and Scale

Photo courtesy M. Mataya, SEPCo & Photo Courtesty Grant

Gibson Subsea Systems Integration Course
 FA Role. Define Design & Operating Requirements

• FA Strategies Are Composed of Up to Three Elements

• Design Functionality – ex., insulation, flowlines size, umbilical
number & size
• Operability – procedures carried out by Operations staff. Note: for
flow assurance, procedures often must be carried within a given time
• Chemicals – chemicals often used to control FA problems. Ex.,
methanol, glycol, inhibitors
• Strategies are Developed Throughout Project Execution and During
Operating Phase
• Strategies Balance Costs (CAPEX, OPEX), Ease of Operation,
Risk vs. Remediation

Subsea Systems Integration Course

 FA Role: Manage Other Problems

• FA Engineer’s Scope Often Includes

• Corrosion management
• Erosion management
• Foaming, emulsions – due to fluid chemistry or fluid additives
• Well Engineering: Wellbore thermal-hydraulic modeling
• Enhanced production – waterfloods, gas lift, boosting
• FA Engineer May Also Fill a Systems Engineering Role
• Systems-based decision making
• Interface management

Subsea Systems Integration Course

 Flow Assurance: Interfaces

• Flow Assurance Interfaces With:

• Project Systems Engineer
• Pipeline Engineer – line sizing, insulation (external, PIP)
• Umbilical Engineer – number & types of chemical delivery lines
• Tree/Manifold – injection points, erosion calculations
• Well Engineer – completion design, hydrate concerns for annulus
• Reservoir Engineer – Expected production functions, modeling
• Production Chemist – chemical selection, produced fluid chemistry

Subsea Systems Integration Course

 Module Objective

• Objective: To introduce flow assurance as a discipline and briefly

describe flow assurance problems found in many projects.

• At the end of this session you will be able to:

o Describe common flow assurance problems

Subsea Systems Integration Course