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Year 2025
 
Vol 66, Issue 5, [10 - 2025]

Flow assurance in gas pipeline transportation: A case study of the X-Field

DOI:10.46326/JMES.2025.66(5).06

  • Affiliations:

    1 Faculty of Petroleum and Energy, Hanoi University of Mining and Geology (HUMG), Hanoi, Vietnam
    2 PetroVietnam Exploration Production Corporation (PVEP), Hanoi, Vietnam

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  • Received: 25th-Apr-2025
  • Revised: 13th-Aug-2025
  • Accepted: 23rd-Aug-2025
  • Online: 1st-Oct-2025
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Abstract:

Flow assurance in oil and gas transportation involves examining factors affecting fluid flow in pipelines, such as temperature and pressure variations, wax deposition, and hydrate formation. This study focuses on flow assurance for the gas condensate transportation pipeline at X-field. Based on the finite difference method theory and using modeling software, key factors including temperature, pressure, wax deposition, and hydrate formation along the pipeline were analyzed. The results showed that the pressure at riser inlet ranged from 28 bar to 37 bar for the WHP-TNHA platform and from 30 bar to 39 bar for the WHP-TN platform. The pour point temperature of fluid affects hydrate formation and wax deposition along the pipeline. However, hydrate formation does not occur because the operating temperature of the pipeline remains above the hydrate formation threshold. Wax deposition is primarily concentrated in the riser section from the seabed to the platform. For the TNHA-RD pipeline, the wax deposit mass increases very slowly, so the recommended pigging frequency for wax removal is approximately once every 12 months. In contrast, for the TN-TNHA pipeline, wax thickness remains significantly below 2 mm, indicating that pigging is not required as part of the wax treatment strategy. During the late life of field, expected from 2034 onward, the wax deposit mass is negligible, showing no tendency for increased deposition over time. Consequently, from this period, wax treatment is no longer required. The results of the research provide a basis for implementing appropriate solutions in gas condensate production and transportation at X-field and may be applicable to other fields with similar conditions.

How to Cite
Nguyen, T.Van, Nguyen, T.Thanh and Le, T.Dang 2025. Flow assurance in gas pipeline transportation: A case study of the X-Field (in Vietnamese). Journal of Mining and Earth Sciences. 66, 5 (Oct, 2025)DOI:https://doi.org/10.46326/JMES.2025.66(5).06.
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