Developing a set of measures to provide maximum hydraulic efficiency of gas gathering pipelines

Abstract

Purpose: The purposes of this article are to study the effective ways of increasing the hydraulic efficiency of gas gathering pipelines of the Yuliivskyi oil and gas condensate production facility (OGCPF); to calculate the operation efficiency of gas gathering pipelines of the Yuliivskyi OGCPF and develop a set of measures to monitor their condition and improve their hydraulic characteristics; to investigate the technology of cleaning the inner cavity of flowlines of gas-condensate wells with foam, to perform the feasibility study on the prospects of its application in practice. Design/methodology/approach: The technology of cleaning the inner cavity of flowlines of gas-condensate wells with foam was investigated to objectively evaluate its application and determine the effectiveness of this measure. The research was carried out within the framework of research and development work by the specialists of the Ukrainian Scientific Research Institute of Natural Gases. Findings: The results of production studies showed that due to cleaning the flowlines of gas-condensate wells (No.85 and No.60) from the accumulation of liquid, the coefficients of their hydraulic efficiency increased by 12% and 7%, respectively. Measures taken to clean the inner cavity of the flowlines from liquid have proven their efficiency and can be recommended for other flowlines of wells at other production fields. Research limitations/implications: Based on the characteristics of gas gathering pipelines, it is reasonable to conduct experimental studies on the use of the proposed technology of cleaning the inner cavity with foam in the case of increasing its multiplicity. Practical implications: Using the wells of the Yuliivske oil and gas condensate field as case studies, the operating parameters were measured and the pressure losses along the length of the flowlines were calculated. According to the results of calculations at two wells (No.85 and No.60), a significant excess of the actual value of the flow friction characteristic over the theoretical value was established. To reduce excessive pressure losses due to the presence of liquid and improve the hydraulic characteristics of the wells, their inner cavities were cleaned using foam with the expansion ratio from 40 to 100. Originality/value: It is important to note that the advantages of foam piston include: ease of use, no occurrence of hydraulic shocks and preventing stuck during movement in the gas pipeline, application in both straight and inclined sections, no wear of the elements of the cleaning equipment, a rather efficient cleaning of gas pipelines.