Clariant Oil Services Breaks the Ice Downstream of the Meter Skid

Benefits

• Complete elimination of freezing problems caused by Joule-Thomson cooling
• Successful, continuous operation of well during the coldest days of winter
• Decreased the required footprint by 90%, compared to methanol; single drum quantities of ICETREAT 1000 provided protection for several weeks
• Valuable cost savings and logistical savings

Background

A customer in South Central Louisiana was experiencing freezing problems that caused their well to shut-in, and they had limited storage capacity for the totes of methanol that would be required to control the ice formation downstream of the meter skid at the land-based gas wellhead.

The customer contacted Clariant Oil Services who analyzed the system and discovered that the ice formation was due to a decline in pressure at the orifice plate. As the gas flowed through the orifice plate, the pressure drop created a sub-cooling effect that caused the water particles in the wet gas to freeze and agglomerate, leading to a complete line blockage.

Innovation and Value Delivered

Clariant Oil Services applied its flow assurance technology ICETREAT 1000, which provided superior protection against the ice formation in the gas line when compared to methanol. The chemical technology completely eliminated the freezing problems caused by Joule-Thomson cooling at the orifice plate of the meter skid downstream of the gas production well. Application of ICETREAT 1000 also allowed the customer to continue to flow the well, even when the outside temperature fell below 20° F. Just as important, the ICETREAT 1000 was delivered in single drum quantities which 1) was enough volume of chemical to provide protection for several weeks and 2) required a much smaller footprint –1/10th of the size – that would have been required for methanol.

Clariant Oil Services’ ICETREAT 1000 flow assurance technology keeps water ice crystals in solution during time of gas flow, even when Joule-Thomson cooling would normally cause gas flow lines to freeze without treatment. In systems where a large quantity of methanol is required for treatment, ICETREAT also can greatly reduce the amount of chemical required for treatment. Furthermore, ICETREAT products can utilize the same injection system as the methanol that is being replaced.

The ICETREAT suite of products provides a range of blends of thermodynamic, kinetic and anti-agglomerate chemistries, each designed to keep ice in solution and provide for protection against hydrate formation in certain applications. For systems where significant hydrate formation occurs, Clariant offers the HYTREAT™ product line. Contact a Clariant Oil Services representative today for a system analysis and to learn which ICETREAT or HYTREAT technology will provide you with optimal results.

This information corresponds to the present state of our knowledge and is intended as a general description of our products and their possible applications. Clariant makes no warranties, express or implied, as to the information’s accuracy, adequacy, sufficiency or freedom from defect and assumes no liability in connection with any use of this information. Any user of this product is responsible for determining the suitability of Clariant's products for its particular application.*Nothing included in this information waives any of Clariant’s General Terms and Conditions of Sale, which control unless it agrees otherwise in writing. Any existing intellectual/industrial property rights must be observed. Due to possible changes in our products and applicable national and international regulations and laws, the status of our products could change. Material Safety Data Sheets providing safety precautions, that should be observed when handling or storing Clariant products, are available upon request and are provided in compliance with applicable law. You should obtain and review the applicable Material Safety Data Sheet information before handling any of these products. For additional information, please contact Clariant.

*For sales to customers located within the United States and Canada the following applies in addition: NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTY IS MADE OF THE MERCHANTABILITY, SUITABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR OTHERWISE OF ANY PRODUCT OR SERVICE.

Copyright © Clariant International Ltd, 2012.