Waxy Crude Oil Production in the South China Sea

1996 ◽  
Author(s):  
W.R. Low ◽  
E.J. Gerber ◽  
L.A. Simek ◽  
John Brown
Keyword(s):  
South China Sea ◽  
Crude Oil ◽  
South China ◽  
Oil Production ◽  
The South China Sea ◽  
The South ◽  
Waxy Crude Oil ◽  
Waxy Crude ◽  
China Sea ◽  
Crude Oil Production

Wax Deposition Prediction and Control in Waxy Crude Oil Tieback Flowlines for South China Sea Deepwater Oil Development

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xichong Yu ◽  
Chunsheng Wang ◽  
Qingping Li ◽  
Yan Li ◽  
Xiaosong Zhu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South China Sea ◽  
Crude Oil ◽  
Flow Rate ◽  
South China ◽  
Transient Flow ◽  
Wax Deposition ◽  
Waxy Crude Oil ◽  
Waxy Crude ◽  
China Sea ◽  
Oil Development

Crude oils are generally very complex chemical systems consisting predominantly of hundreds to thousands of hydrocarbon compounds from simple low-molecular-weight paraffin to high-molecular-weight waxes. There are many factors effecting wax deposition such as the fluid composition, pressure and temperature and so on. Wax deposition is complex dynamic process related to transient heat and mass transfer, therefore it is very difficult to predict wax deposition velocity accumulation amounts on the wall in waxy crude oil tieback flowlines. There exist many waxy crude oil tieback flowlines for South China Sea deepwater oil development, which can cause many flow assurance problems. It is very important to carry out wax deposition prediction calculation and effective measures are adopted to solve flow assurance problems. In this study, based on certain waxy crude oil tieback flowlines for South China Sea deepwater oil development, OLGA software is used to simulate transient flow characteristics in waxy crude oil tieback flowlines such as wax precipitation rate, thickness of wax layer deposited at wall, pigging frequency and so on. OLGA software simulation results is coincident with field pigging operation results, finally obtaining a good simulation methods to predict transient flow characteristics in waxy crude oil tieback flowlines and giving good suggestions to determine pigging periods and frequency. The study results show two 10 inch non-insulation steel flowlines are recommended to develop deepwater waxy crude oil field and pigging periods should comprehensive consider thickness of wax layer deposited at wall and the increase of pressure caused by wax deposition. It is reasonable to 35 days pigging periods during 2 year after put into production, 60 days pigging periods after 2 years. The results show maximum liquid flow rate for a 10 inch flowline is 7000m3/d, and it is reasonable that one flowline is used to transport when flow rate is lower than 7000m3/d, and two flowlines are used to transport when flow rate is more than 7000m3/d. The pump pressure at FPSO is kept at 6000kPaA, and required maximum liquid flow rate of pigging at FPSO is 4200m3/d (175m3/h).

THE GROWTH IN ENERGY ACTIVITIES IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA – ARE WE TRULY PREPARED?

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 (1) ◽  
pp. 825-836
Author(s):  
Yoppy Tan
Keyword(s):  
South China Sea ◽  
Crude Oil ◽  
Oil Spill ◽  
South China ◽  
The South China Sea ◽  
The South ◽  
China Sea ◽  
Energy Trade ◽  
Political Challenge ◽  
Trade Route

ABSTRACT Stretching from Singapore and the Strait of Malacca chokepoint in the southwest to the Strait of Taiwan in the northeast, the South China Sea is one of the most important energy trade routes in the world. Almost a third of global crude oil and over half of global liquefied natural gas (LNG) passes through the South China Sea each year. Coupled with the significant economy growth from China, that is the world's largest oil importer, protecting the flow of oil becomes a prime consideration of the South East and East Asia governments. All of these factors make the South China Sea to hold one of the highest potential for oil spill, be it by quantity of oil or frequency of energy activities. In the region, our industry faces increasing political challenge due to the disputed territorial waters and hence if an incident affecting multiple countries such as an oil spill occurs, the response may be chaotic if not adequately prepared for. The duty is on industry to work with regional governmental groups to promote joined-up response that is sufficiently robust and flexible to deal with both marine and well-control incidents. Other factors that could pose a major challenge are the understanding of response tool kits and prioritization given to national environmental laws and regulations which will vary amongst the affected administrations. Has there been sufficient investigation into the range of national laws which could help/hinder inter-regional approach? What about each of the area contingency plan along the South China Sea? Is there sufficient data on the crude oil characteristics in this region and the availability of Stockpile of equipment along this stretch of the trade route? This paper provides an overview of the oil industry's response to the growing energy activities in the South China Sea using case studies to illustrate the situations that are still occurring in practice.

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