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ABSTRACT
An extensive full-scale measurement campaign has recently
been carried out in one of the two 36" gas-condensate
pipelines from Troll A wellhead platform in the North Sea to
Kollsnes gas process plant. The main objectives of the fullscale tests were to collect data and to study the dynamics of
three-phase gas-condensate-water flow in pipelines. Seven
tests covering a large span of operating conditions were run
measuring pressure drop and liquid accumulation in the
pipeline. In addition, data on pig dynamics were collected for
five of the tests. The measurement results will be used to
revise operating procedures for Statoils gas-condensate
transport systems and for verification and improvements of
dynamic multiphase simulation codes. This paper focuses on
the design and performance of the full-scale tests.
Introduction
Long distance multiphase transport has become common and
proven technology in Norwegian gas-condensate field
developments. Recent and future developments like Huldra,
Kvitebjrn, Sigyn, Mikkel and Snhvit all make use of gascondensate transport as an essential technology element.
Indeed, this has become possible due to extensive efforts to
develop multiphase flow models for thermo-hydraulic
calculations, such as the OLGA2000/PeTra simulations
programs.
The multiphase models are particularly important in order to
select the optimum pipe diameter, design temperature and
defining the operational envelope with respect to minimum
PSIG 03B1
PSIG 03B1
summer season when the gas export is more likely to fit the
test rates. Moreover, the flexibility of the two pipelines P10
and P11 offers a unique possibility of keeping constant flow
rate in one pipeline (P10), and let the other pipeline (P11) take
care of the variations in the gas export. However, it was not
possible to maintain constant flow rate in P10 when large
changes in the export rate was required within the test period.
In such cases the tests had to be terminated and restarted when
the gas export was more favourable.
the orifice meters at Troll A. The gas flow rates from Troll B
& C are measured at fiscal standards (uncertainty less than 1
% in mass flow). This included measurements of pressure,
temperature and compositional analysis in addition to flow
rate (orifice meters) on Troll B & C platforms. The flow rate
from Troll A into P10 and P11 together with the fiscal
measurements of Troll B and C gas flow rates were used to
determine the total gas rates into each of the two pipelines.
The two orifice meters used for condensate injection were
defect, and a clamp-on ultrasonic flow meter was therefore
installed temporarily on the condensate injection line. This
made it possible to measure the P10 inlet condensate flow rate
during the tests.
At the pipeline outlet at Kollsnes, the following flow rates
were measured:
Flare gas
The gas flow rates from Troll A were measured using orifice
meters with pressure and temperature compensation, but with
a constant composition. Qualified personnel calibrated the
pressure and temperature transmitters used in connection with
PSIG 03B1
DATA ANALYSIS
Measured and acquired data from each test were sorted and
stored systematically for further processing and analysis. The
averages of pressure, temperature and flow rate measurements
were computed from selected stable periods. Other
parameters, such as liquid slug velocity, pig velocity and
liquid volume arriving at Kollsnes during pigging, needed
special evaluation and analysis methods. These methods are
described in the next sub-sections.
using
gamma
PSIG 03B1
Test results
All test were run successfully according to the plan (Table 1),
except for Test 2 where the data logger in the pig was not
available. However, the pig was run without the data logger in
Test 2 to measure the liquid accumulation as planned.
Trend measurements
Stable periods were selected for each test in order to define a
main test period lasting approximately 48 hours and a second
test period being at the very end of the test period. The second
test period is used to determine the pressure loss in the
pipeline, while the general trends are used for further analysis.
The main trends from Test 3 are presented here in Figure 7
through Figure 11 as examples from one of the seven tests.
The predefined test rate was 70 % of design rate for
approximately 48 hours before pigging, see Figure 7. Gas
from Troll A and Troll B was produced into P10 during the
test (no gas from Troll C). Figure 7 show that the flow rate in
the test pipeline P10 is stable, while the flow rate in the other
pipeline varies according to the gas export demand.
The injection of MEG is automatically controlled by the
measured gas flow rate and the injection rate is fairly constant
when the gas flow rate is stable, as can be inferred from Figure
7. The large fluctuations in the condensate injection rate
(Figure 7) are mainly due to pressure driven drainage of the
separators that causes a highly irregular injection rate.
Pressure loss measurements (Figure 8) and outlet temperature
measurements (Figure 9) show that the pipeline is well
stabilized before the pig is run in the pipeline.
When the pig starts to enter the landfall zone (about 59-60
hrs), the slug catcher pressure (outlet pressure) starts to
decrease (Figure 10). The slug catcher pressure is allowed to
vary freely to compensate for the static pressure of the liquid
plug in front of the pig. These pressure oscillations reflect the
pipeline profile and the amount of liquid in the plug. The
arrival of the liquid slug is seen in Figure 10, as the density
suddenly rises to the liquid value, and falls down to the gas
density value when the pig has passed by the densitometer.
The pig velocity recorded by the data logger in the pig is
shown in Figure 11. The peak velocities coincide very well
with the topographic peaks near the landfall zone. The pig
velocity reaches minima at the bottom of the hills due to slow
down by accumulated liquid in lower points. The pressure
behind the pig and the static liquid head of the slug governs
the uphill motion of the pig. I.e., the pig accelerates towards
the top of the hill because of increasing difference between the
driving pressure behind the pig and the static liquid head when
the liquid passes over the top of the hill. This is clearly seen in
the last hill (tunnel) towards Kollsnes (Figure 11), and the
effect was even more pronounced for longer liquid plugs.
Pressure loss
The pressure loss in the P10 pipeline is computed as the
difference between the inlet and outlet pressure measurements
at the end of the test periods. Figure 12 shows the measured
pressure loss versus gas flow rate for tests carried out in 2002
and previously recorded operational data. The 2002 results are
in good agreement with the previous measurements.
At high gas flow rates (i.e. beyond 70 % of design rate) only a
small amount of liquid is in the pipeline and steady state
conditions are established quickly. At steady state, the liquid
outlet rate equals the liquid input plus the condensed liquid in
the pipeline due to pressure loss and temperature decrease. At
these high gas flow rates the pressure loss is dominated by the
gas velocity, and the pipe flow is nearly equivalent to singlephase gas flow, and the pressure loss is friction dominated
(Figure 12). When the gas flow rate decreases below
approximately 70 %, it can be inferred from Figure 12 that the
pressure loss curve flattens, which is due to accumulation of
liquid in the pipeline because of lower gas velocity. The
increasing amount of liquid in the pipeline as the flow rate
decreases tend to shift the pressure loss mechanism from
friction towards gravity dominated. However, the measured
pressure loss does not become fully gravity dominated, since
the pressure loss measurements do not increase as the flow
rate decreases.
Accumulated liquid volumes
Measurements of liquid volumes were based on three different
measurement principles (as previously described) and the
mean values were computed. However, in some of the tests,
one or two of the measurements of liquid volumes were
excluded from the analysis because the measurements were
out of range or obviously incorrect.
The volumes measured are the volumes of the liquid plug that
was formed in front of the pig. To estimate the total liquid
inventory of the pipeline, the amount of liquids produced out
of the pipeline during pigging is added to the measured plug
volume. The volumes of the liquids produced during pigging
are estimated based on typical gas liquid ratios.
Figure 13 shows the mean values of the total liquid content
(aqueous glycol and condensate) in the pipeline for the
different tests. Liquid volume is expressed as per cent of slug
catcher capacity, and there is no danger to overfill the slug
catcher at these flow conditions. Previous tests from 1996 and
1997 are also included in the diagram for comparision. The
previous measurements indicate considerable more liquid than
the 2002 test results. Liquid accumulation measurements show
that the pipeline is "drier" than expected, i.e. it indicates
lighter gas composition.
Generally, the measured liquid volumes show that the liquid
accumulation increases gradually at flow rates from 70 to 55
PSIG 03B1
CONCLUSIONS
A comprehensive measurement program has been designed
and conducted successfully in the Troll-Kollsnes P10 gascondensate pipeline. The planned test program, including
measurements of liquid accumulation, pressure drop and pig
velocity, was completed due to valuable contributions from
personnel from various resource units in Statoil.
The test program comprised seven main tests. Each test lasted
for about 48 hours and was carefully planned and performed
without interferring the field production and gas transport.
Measurement data from a large number of instruments were
acquired and stored for each test using a dedicated logging
program. Existing process instrumentation onshore and
offshore were used as a basis for the field test measurements.
It was, however, necessary to use additional instruments
dedicated for detailed flow measurements, such as velocity
and volume of liquid slugs. For this purpose, three gamma
densitometers were designed and installed temporarily on the
outlet of the test pipeline. This enables accurate measurement
of liquid slugs in the pipeline and is of great importance in
such field tests.
The measurement results will be used for verification and
improving dynamic multiphase simulation codes, such as
OLGA2000 and PeTra. Full-scale field data are inevitable
valuable to strengthen and improve multiphase flow
simulation programs. Furthermore, the measurement results
and the experience gained from the tests will be used to revise
and improve operating procedures for Troll-Kollsnes and other
gas-condensate transport systems operated by Statoil.
Generally, the experience and knowledge gained from
systematic field test measurements are of great importance for
design and operation of new and existing pipeline systems.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors ackowledge the Troll license with the partners
Statoil, Petoro, Norsk Hydro, Shell, TotalFinaElf and Conoco
for permission to publish this paper. The co-funding of the
field tests from Gassco is also appreciated. Valuable
contributions from the operational personnel on Troll A and
Kollsnes during planning and execution of the tests are
greatfully appreciated.
PSIG 03B1
TABLES
Flow rate
[% design rate]
Outlet pressure
[bar / psi]
Pigging
Test duration
[hrs]
Test period
90
90 / 1305
No
26
06-07 July 02
80
90 / 1305
Yes
55
02-05 July 02
70
90 / 1305
Yes
50
08-11 July 02
65
90 / 1305
Yes
52
21-23 Aug 02
60
90 / 1305
Yes
48
11-14 July 02
0.55
90 / 1305
Yes
54
02-04 Sept 02
50
90 / 1305
Yes
53
12-14 Aug 02
Test No.
Table 1 Overview of planned and performed test program in the P10 pipeline. Test 1 was a high rate pressure loss
test. Test 2 7 were liquid accumulation tests. Design flow rate is 50 MSm3/d [1766 MSCF/d].
FIGURES
Liquid accumulation
350
Pressure loss
195
300
175
Liquid volume
Pressure loss
250
155
200
150
135
100
115
50
95
75
150
25
50
75
100
125
PSIG 03B1
Troll B
Kollsnes
Slug catcher 1
P10
Troll A
P11
Gas
Free water
Slug catcher 2
Condensate
Troll C
MEG/water
Glycol regeneration
Figure 2 Schematic of the wet gas transport from the Troll platforms to Kollsnes. Free water and condensate are separated
at wellhead conditions on Troll A, where the water is removed and condensate is re-injected into the gas stream. Rich gas in
dense phase from Troll B and C are mixed with the Troll A gas on the Troll A platform upstream the inlet of P10 and P11.
Glycol (approx. 90 % lean MEG) is injected at Troll A, and after separation in the slug catcher at Kollsnes the glycol is
regenerated and transported back to Troll A in a separate 4" pipeline (not shown in the figure).
Tunnel outlet
(Kollsnes)
Troll A
-0.2
-0.4
-0.6
Tunnel inlet
-0.8
-1
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
PSIG 03B1
1
Slug catcher A dP
Slug catcher B dP
Slug catcher A gamma
Slug catcher B gamma
0.9
Slug catcher A dP
Slug catcher B dP
Slug catcher A gamma
Slug catcher B gamma
0.9
0.8
0.8
Glycol volume []
Condensate volume []
0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.7
0.6
0.5
0.3
0.4
0.2
0.3
0.1
0.2
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
time [min], starttime 3 h after pig launch
90
100
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
time [min], starttime 3 h after pig launch
80
90
100
Figure 4 Example of condensate (left) and aqueous glycol (right) volume measurements when a liquid plug enters
the slug catchers during pigging of the P10 pipeline. The y-axes are scaled with the maximum volume of condensate
(left) and glycol (right), 1000 m3 [35320 ft3] and 250 m3 [8830 ft3] respectively.
v
L
Figure 5 Measurement setup for liquid plug measurements in the test pipeline P10. The setup comprises two gamma
densitometers placed a distance L apart.
Test 4 gamma densitometers
Gamma4
Gamma3
Gamma1
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
30
32
34
36
38
40
time [min], starttime 3 h after pig launch
42
44
Figure 6 Example of density measurements when a liquid plug and pig passes the two densitometers (gamma4 and gamma3)
located approx. 100 m [328 ft] apart and the readings from the densitometer (gamma1) placed downstream the two others.
10
PSIG 03B1
0.8
0.6
0.4
PIG in pipeline
0.2
0
P10
P11
0
10
20
30
40
50
Injection rate []
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
10
20
30
40
time [hours], starttime 08.07.02 16:00:08
50
Figure 7 Flow rate and injection rate measurements during Test 3. Y-axis scaled with design rate (top figure) and
10 m3/h [353.2 ft3/h] (bottom figure).
Pressure []
1.05
1
PIG in pipeline
0.95
0.9
0.85
0.8
10
20
30
40
50
Pressure drop []
0.15
0.1
0.05
10
20
30
40
time [hours], starttime 08.07.02 16:00:08
50
Figure 8 Pressure measurements during Test 3. Both Y-axes are scaled with mean inlet pressure.
PSIG 03B1
11
Test 3: Temperatures
70
Troll A inlet P10
Troll B inlet P10
140
50
40
104
30
PIG in pipeline
20
68
Temperature [F]
Temperature [C]
60
10
0
10
20
30
40
50
15
32
59
10
50
41
10
20
30
40
time [hours], starttime 08.07.02 16:00:08
50
Temperature [F]
Temperature [C]
32
Pressure []
1.02
1.01
1
0.99
0.98
0.97
52.5
53
53.5
54
54.5
55
1
Density outlet P10
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
52.5
53
53.5
54
54.5
time [hours],starttime 08.07.02 16:00:08
55
Figure 10 Outlet pressure and density measurements during pigging of Test 3. Y-axis on top figure is scaled with the mean
outlet pressure.
12
PSIG 03B1
Pig velocity []
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
0.7
0.8
0.9
Elevation []
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
Pipeline length []
Figure 11 Measured pig velocity and pipeline profile during Test 3. Pig velocity (top figure) is scaled with the maximum
velocity, the elevation profile is scaled with the maximum depth and the total pipe length (cf. Figure 3).
0.25
Single-phase prediction
Tests 2002
Previous operational data
0.2
0.15
0.1
0.05
0
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
PSIG 03B1
13
60
Tests 2002
Test 1997
50
Test 1996
40
30
20
10
0
45
50
55
60
65
70
75
80
Figure 13 Total liquid content in the pipeline P10. The amount of liquids produced out of the pipeline during
pigging has been added to the measured plug volume
Appendix A Biographies
Ronny Albrechtsen received a M.Sc. degree in Petroleum
Engineering from Stavanger College (Norway) in 1990. He has
worked seven years at different technical colleges and
universities with lecturing and fundamental research on
measurement and analysis of multiphase flow in pipes, and was
awarded a PhD on this subject by Aalborg University
(Denmark) in 1998. After 3 years as Program Manager within
process metering at Christian Michelsen Research he joined
STATOIL ASA in 2001 and works with optimisation and
analysis of gas transport. Albrechtsen is now Sr. Discipline
Adviser within gas transport analysis.
Elling Sletfjerding is Staff Engineer in STATOIL ASA.
Sletfjerding received his Doctoral degree from the Department
of Petroleum Engineering and Applied Geophysics at the
Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in
Trondheim (Norway) in 1999 and his Master of Science degree
in Applied Mechanics from the Royal Institute of Technology
in Stockholm (Sweden) in 1994. Sletfjerding has been involved
in research and development for 8 years working primarily
with single phase gas flow in pipelines, multiphase flow and
flow assurance.