Effect Of Temperature On Compressibility Of Gelled Crude Oilto Restart The Flow Of Waxy Crude Oil At Low Risk

Abstract

Wax depositions issues which are impairing the flow of waxy crude oil production become major concern of the flow assurance to minimize the risk of its flow restart. Miss prediction of flow restart pressure of waxy crude oil may lead to high operating cost and high investment cost of the pump and piping system. The determination of restart pressure is too risky and it should be considered without wasting much energy and time. Compressibility of the waxy crude oil has significant influence in determining the restart pressure of the flow start-up or restart. Better understanding on compressibility of waxy crude oil in gel state is expected to be valuable information for determining the optimum restart pressure. This study is aimed at investigating the compressibility of gelled crude oil below its pour point and analyzing the effect of temperature and gas voids on its compressibility using experimental study on compression test so that the flow restart at low risk can be analyzed. Flow-loop rig had been used to perform cooling process and also restarting the test section, and then the test section will be compressed in compression device outside the rig. The result showed that compressibility of gelled crude oil showed different values according to its thermal history such as temperature and cooling process. In an instance, effect of thermal or temperature has significant influence on compressibility which can be used to predict the flow restart pressure of waxy crude oil more accurate. Therefore, it is very helpful for flow assurance engineer to restart the flow of waxy crude oil at low risk by considering this effect of temperature. Keyword: Waxy crude oil, temperature, compressibility, compression test.