Clariant Oil Services Breaks the Ice Downstream of the Choke in Gas Flow Lines

Benefits

• Complete elimination of freezing problems caused by Joule-Thomson cooling
• Successful, continuous operation of gas well during harsh winter conditions
• 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 a land-based gas well to shut-in and had limited storage capacity for the required number of methanol totes that would be needed to control the ice formation downstream of the choke. Clariant Oil Services was contacted to provide a solution to the ice formation problem, which was found to have been created due to a pressure drop.

Upon review of the system, Clariant Oil Services technicians found that as the gas flowed through the choke, the decrease in pressure 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 immediately delivered and applied its flow assurance technology ICETREAT 1000 to the gas line, which provided superior protection against the ice formation, when compared to methanol. And having been provided in single drum quantities that provided weeks’ worth of protection, ICETREAT 1000 occupied a much smaller overall footprint. Furthermore, the application of ICETREAT 1000 allowed the customer to continue to flow the well even when outside temperatures fell below 20° F.

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.