Hydrate Inhibition Design for Deepwater Completions

Abstract

Summary This paper will review the design considerations for gas hydrate prevention in deepwater well completions. The influence of seafloor temperature, wellbore pressure, water production rate and composition of gas on hydrate inhibition system design will be discussed. The impact of various inhibitors will be discussed in relationship to the design of the system and potential handling problems. Examples will review design considerations for sizing of subsea inhibitor lines, selection of injection depth below the seafloor and hardware requirements. Case histories of inhibitor injection systems used in deepwater completions and during testing of deepwater exploration wells will be reviewed. The benefits of insulated tubing to enhance inhibition design will be discussed. Also, a method will be introduced that can be used to estimate the maximum inhibitor injection rate to avoid salt precipitation from completion fluid or produced water.