Review of Gas Hydrate Plug Dissociation in Oil and Gas Pipeline: Downstream Pressure Reduction Approach

Abstract

Hydrate plug dissociation in subsea pipelines is a challenging problem
in oil and gas transport systems as limited options are available for
remediation. Key concerns include technical, operational deferment and
safety hazards that are associated with hydrate plug dissociation in oil
and gas pipelines. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the
physics of hydrate plugs remediation including a compilation of
dissociation models, experimental work performed to date, and a
detailed analysis on the problem of gas hydrate from a flow assurance
perspective. Depressurization methods are critically reviewed, with
influence of temperature, pressure, velocity and hydrate plug properties
discussed with detail. Outstanding research questions for hydrate plug
dissociation highlighted.