OLGA Steady State is SPT Group’s steady state

modelling tool for multiphase flow - a fully compatible

companion to OLGA.

Concept and capability CONCEPT/

FEED
OLGA SS represents a new concept
in design of multiphase pipelines …

….. build one model and use it

throughout the design life cycle, DETAILED
PRODUCTION OPERATIONS
DESIGN
… without tying up valuable dynamic
resources when steady state is
sufficient,

… to maximise results while

minimising software cost and
unproductive time spent re-working FIRST OIL
models.
 Using OLGA Steady State

Guide contents

Concept and capability........................................................................................................ 1

1 Background ................................................................................................................. 3
1.1 Key features ........................................................................................................ 4
2 How to use OLGA SS................................................................................................. 5
2.1 Example cases in OLGA SS ............................................................................... 7
2.1.1 Network solver............................................................................................ 7
2.2 FEMtherm example ............................................................................................ 9
3 Parametric studies ..................................................................................................... 10
3.1 A step by step guide.......................................................................................... 10
3.1.1 Base case OLGA model............................................................................ 11
3.1.2 Building the parametric study................................................................... 12
3.1.3 Parametric study results ............................................................................ 17
3.1.4 Multi-variable parametric studies ............................................................. 23
3.2 Parametric study examples ............................................................................... 25
3.2.1 Line sizing................................................................................................. 25
3.2.2 Leaks in pipe ............................................................................................. 26
3.2.3 Fluid arrival temperatures ......................................................................... 28
4 Current limitations of OLGA SS .............................................................................. 29

21 August 2008 2
 Using OLGA Steady State

1 Background
OLGA Steady State (OLGA SS) builds on more than 30 years of heritage in
multiphase flow modelling that has been encapsulated in the OLGA dynamic
software of SPT Group. The release of OLGA SS as a stand-alone product
recognises that low cost, fast turn around steady state results can be highly
valuable in certain phases of project development.

Typical applications of steady state multiphase flow simulations include:

1. Sizing of pipeline options during early field evaluation

2. Screening pipeline thermal design to meet steady state criteria (e.g.
minimum arrival temperature to avoid wax formation)
3. Optimisation of well deployment through multiple flow paths, and pairing
of co-mingled wells through a given pipeline
4. Optimisation of gas lift deployment
5. Assessing the expected performance of leak detection from pressure-flow
instrumentation

OLGA SS reads the same input files as OLGA so the same model, built in the
same way, can evolve from early screening through to dynamic simulation,
operator training, and on-line pipeline surveillance in real time.

OLGA SS has the same industry-leading 3-phase (gas, oil, water) flow pattern
mapping and multiphase flow simulation basis as OLGA. Compositional aspects
can be modelled in OLGA SS where appropriate.

Simulations using fixed fluid properties, including black oil simulations, can be
completed by reading fluid data from an externally supplied property table file
written by a compatible PVT simulation package 1 , such as Calsep’s PVTSim
which is supplied with OLGA SS. For black-oil simulations, OLGA SS is supplied
with the Mud Property Table generator from Well Flow Dynamics, which includes
the Standing and Vazques & Beggs correlations to allow rapid modelling of
production fluids from minimal information (Gas and oil density, and Gas Oil
Ratio).

OLGA SS is equipped with a powerful general purpose parametric study facility

that allows for evaluation of the impact of changes to one or more model
parameters by adjusting the current case description to explore multiple cases
defined by the user. A quick-edit 2-parameter study feature is also included
which builds a case study matrix for either single or 2-parameter studies covering
the specified range of interest in a series of intervals set by the user. Any variable

1
OLGA SS is able to read fluid property tables written by the following PVT packages: Calsep’s
PVTsim, Infochem’s Multiflash & Well Flow Dynamics Mud Property Table generator.

21 August 2008 3
 Using OLGA Steady State

specified in the OLGA SS input file is available for cross-comparison amongst the
parametric cases, and the individual cases are themselves stored in temporary
files for detailed examination should that be necessary.

The advent of OLGA SS removes the need to re-build a pipeline model from
another simulator when moving from steady state to dynamic pipeline operational
simulations. A substantial step forward for the oil industry is represented in
working smarter to deliver cost savings throughout project life cycle.

1.1 Key features

OLGA SS enables the following multiphase flow aspects and process equipment
to be modelled:

• 3-phase flows (gas, oil, water)

• Well and pipeline networks
• Compositional tracking (e.g. mixing of streams with different compositions)
• Well inflow performance
• FEMtherm (Finite Element thermal modelling)
• Bundles and annuli
• Corrosion
• Non-Newtonian fluid behaviour (Complex fluid)
• Heat exchanger

The OLGA SS package includes both black oil based and composition based
fluid property generation.

The OLGA SS package includes limited functionality versions of two third party
software systems for fluid property generation:

• Composition based: PVTsim

• Black Oil based: Mud Property Table

21 August 2008 4
 Using OLGA Steady State

2 How to use OLGA SS

OLGA SS is driven from the OLGA Graphical User Interface (GUI). Use of this
interface is described in detail in the document ‘OLGA 6 GUI User Manual.pdf’,
additionally full details of the keywords are given in the OLGA User Guide.

The following keywords are the minimum required to build a case in OLGA SS,
and the notes relate solely to their use within Steady State modelling:

Keyword Notes relating to OLGA SS

CASE
FILES
OPTIONS Steady State is necessarily set to ON
Compositional option must be consistent with Files keyword
INTEGRATION ENDTIME and STARTTIME are overridden and are set to 0s.
Time-step information is ignored but must be set.
GEOMETRY Pipe sectioning should continue to satisfy length ratio of 1: 0.5 - 2
between neighbouring sections.
NODE
BRANCH
HEAT Input must be consistent with the selected Temperature option
TRANSFER
Boundary If the boundary type is Closed, then a non-zero Source must be
placed in the pipe section next to the Closed boundary (i.e. first or
last pipe section). Boundary may be of type Pressure for both
pipeline inlets and outlets. The boundary may also be of type
Massflow.
SOURCE * Source must be non-zero and may be placed at any location in the
pipeline (e.g. to simulate a tee). A positive source implies fluid is
flowing into the pipeline. A negative Source implies fluid is flowing
out of the pipeline. A negative source may be used to simulate a
leak.
PROFILE An arbitrary value must be set for DTPLOT
OUTPUT An arbitrary value must be set for DTOUT.
TREND This keyword is required for parametric study, although the entries
are arbitrary. An arbitrary value must be set for either NPLOT or
DTPLOT.
ENDCASE
* Source is not required to fully define an OLGA SS case if the boundaries are
specified as being Pressure Boundaries. Similarly, a WELL (inflow relationship)
may be used in place of a Source.

If the temperature option is set to ‘WALL’, then the following Keywords are
required to fully define the OLGA SS case:

21 August 2008 5
 Using OLGA Steady State

MATERIAL Value must be specified for heat capacity, thermal conductivity,

and density of each material.
WALL Wall layers should be discretised such that layer thicknesses of
neighbouring layers are generally in the range 1: 0.5 – 2.

As with OLGA, heat transfer is considered to be 1-dimensional axi-symmetric.

Buried pipelines have asymmetric heat transfer to the sea. Traditionally, this
aspect has been ignored and a radial soil layer has been incorporated into the
model. The thickness and properties of that soil layer may be adjusted to give a
better match to the heat transfer for a buried pipeline.

However, the correct heat transfer may be calculated by using FEMTherm - a

module which links to OLGA SS to solve the 2-dimensional heat conduction
using a finite element grid of the soil in the vicinity of the pipeline at each pipe
section position. FEMtherm can also be used to examine heat transfer within a
pipeline bundle.

A case that makes use of FEMtherm requires, as a minimum, the following

additional keywords:

Cross- Used to define the location of pipelines within the shape. An

section arbitrary value must be specified for DTPLOT and DELTAT
Shape The size and shape of the overall FEMtherm region. A circle is
used to model bundles and wells; a rectangle is used for modelling
buried pipes.

21 August 2008 6
 Using OLGA Steady State

2.1 Example cases in OLGA SS

2.1.1 Network solver

OLGA SS solves gathering networks of wells and pipelines where the boundary
conditions may be a combination of pressure boundaries, fixed flow rate
boundaries and well inflow performance boundaries. However, it should be
appreciated that inclusion of multiple pressure boundaries or wells reduces the
ability of the model to solve successfully, and multiple solutions may exist
(dynamic simulation would be required to establish whether or not the solutions
are stable).

The model shown below describes a network of 20 wells completed to a sub-sea

manifold which has twin 12″ 20 km pipelines tied back to 125m risers which are
co-mingled at surface to supply production fluid to a common first stage
separator. In this example, 1 well is described by a pressure boundary, and the
remaining 19 by fixed flow rate sources.

When the steady state model is solved, one of the key items of interest is load
balancing between the twin pipelines (for example to maximise oil delivery). This
can be achieved either manually or through parametric studies which route each
well in turn to either one or other of the tie-back pipelines.

The other key concern in network solving is to identify any wells that are being
stifled by the co-mingling selection. Backflow is also possible into any well that is
represented in the model by a pressure boundary or by a well with an injectivity
specified.

Gas lift can be included and optimised through parametric studies. If the gas lift
distribution network is to be modelled, then valve performance curves can be
included to correctly model the pressure in the network (which determines the
allocation of gas between wells) and to correctly capture the position(s) at which
gas enters the well through the gas lift valves.

Use of the compositional description within the model enables fluid properties of
the co-mingled lines to automatically adjust depending on the flow rate from the
various wells. Key components such as CO2, H2O and H2S can also be tracked
for corrosion and materials specification purposes. CO2 corrosion rates can be
calculated by OLGA using the three corrosion models that are included within
OLGA.

21 August 2008 7
 Using OLGA Steady State

Topside manifold to
common separator

Twin 12″ 20 km tie-back

pipelines and 125m

Sub-sea manifold
routing wells to either

21 August 2008 8
 Using OLGA Steady State

2.2 FEMtherm example

As with OLGA, the FEMtherm module can be used to solve for asymmetric heat
transfer by using a finite element mesh external to the pipeline. Multiple pipelines
can be included within the FEMtherm grid. FEMtherm is applicable when
designing bundles or considering accurate representation of buried pipelines.

The results can be viewed using the FEMtherm viewer, which can be used to
illustrate temperature through sections either radially through the pipe, or axially
along the pipe. FEMtherm viewer can also be used to animate the results in a
given cross-sectional slice as it is moved along the length of the pipeline.

Temperature, °C
Axial section through the pipeline

Radial cross-section
through the pipeline,
at the pipeline inlet end

Line plots at defined length

positions

21 August 2008 9
 Using OLGA Steady State

3 Parametric studies
The parametric study capability within OLGA SS automatically clones the current
case and varies the selected parameters according to the parametric study
definition.

Parametric studies in OLGA SS are likely to involve the following keywords:

Keyword Likely uses in OLGA SS parametric studies

Material Insulation material thermal conductivity
Wall Insulation layer thickness
Pipe Diameter, roughness
Boundary Inlet and outlet pressure specification.
Specification of temperature, gas fraction and water cut at
pressure boundaries.
Heat U-value
transfer Sensitivity to ambient conditions
Source Specified flow rate or Leak rate
Fluid gas fraction or GOR
Water cut
Inlet temperature
Inlet pressure (with flash to pipeline pressure)
Valve Opening
Cross- Burial depth when using FEMtherm
section

Other keywords are available for use within the parametric study tool but are not
listed here since there use would be uncommon.

3.1 A step by step guide

This example concerns gas flow from an offshore platform to onshore facilities.
Due to seasonal and diurnal demand swings, the arrival pressure can vary in the
range 30 – 70 bara. The ability of turning up or turning down the flow due to
changing onshore requirements by altering the supply pressure at the platform
should provide an understanding of the steady state hydraulics of the proposed
line.

There are also concerns regarding the thermal aspects of the pipeline. Due to
seasonal changes, the temperature of the seawater ranges from 4 °C to 20 °C,
hence posing a potential hydrate problem as the fluid is predominantly gas with a
small percentage of water. The temperature profile of the fluid along the line
during normal operations would be of importance at various ambient conditions.

21 August 2008 10
 Using OLGA Steady State

3.1.1 Base case OLGA model

In order to perform a parametric study, a base case OLGA SS model has to be

built.

A brief description of the base case OLGA model, ‘flow.opi’, is presented here.
Detailed model build using the OLGA Graphical User Interface (GUI) can be
found in the “Getting Started with OLGA” Guide.

The OLGA model consists of a 20-inch single branch flowline bounded with a
pressure boundary at the platform end, and a second pressure boundary at the
onshore end. The steel pipeline is insulated with a layer of FBE and concrete,
and is exposed to seawater at an ambient temperature of 10 °C. The onshore
facilities are designed for a minimum arrival pressure of 30 bara, while the fluid
enters the line at 50 °C. If the inlet pressure is specified to be 50 bara, then the
resulting gas flow rate is 95 kg/s (340 MMscf/d).

21 August 2008 11
 Using OLGA Steady State

The fluid table ’fluid.tab’ describes a two-phase mixture (predominantly gas), with
an approximate 2 molar % of water.

3.1.2 Building the parametric study

This section describes the steps for defining a two-parameter study in the OLGA
GUI, running it and obtaining the results. The parameters to be studied are the
boundary pressure at the platform and the ambient temperature of the seawater.

Parameter Base case value Values

Supply pressure at platform 50 bara 40, 60, 70 bara
Ambient temperature of water 10 °C 4, 15, 20 °C

The procedure is as follows:

21 August 2008 12
 Using OLGA Steady State

1. From the ‘Tools’ menu select ‘Parametric Studies’, and then ‘Add
Study…’ to open the Parametric Study input form.

2. The number of parameters is entered in the field ‘#Parameters:’. The

parameters are then selected by right-clicking on the column title
header, and then selecting ‘Select Parameters..’.

3. A description can be given for the study by entering text in the

‘Description:’ field.

4. The parameters are specified by first selecting the relevant ‘Flowpath’,

‘Node’ or, Library element from the upper drop-down menu; and then
selecting the keyword from the list in the lower left pane. Keywords
are added to the selection by highlighting on the row and then using
the ‘>’ button to move the parameter to the right side pane.

21 August 2008 13
 Using OLGA Steady State

5. Parameters are selected after the keyword has been specified by right
clicking on the second column header and choosing the desired
parameter. Note that only parameters that are applicable are
selectable, while those that are not available are shown with grey text.

Steps 2 – 4 are repeated for the second parameter. In the example

given the inlet pressure is selected by choosing the ‘NODE : Platform’,
then selecting ‘PARAMETERS’, and finally choosing ‘PRESSURE’.

6. The values of the parameters to be evaluated are input by clicking the

‘Matrix..’ button, and then entering each value in the field to the right of
the respective parameter. The supply pressures to be investigated are

21 August 2008 14
 Using OLGA Steady State

entered: 40, 60, 70 (comma separated) [bara]. The ambient

temperatures are then entered: 4, 15, 20 [C]. The respective units are
selected by the text ‘[unit]’ and selecting from the drop-down menu.

7. The name of each case in the parametric study can be defined by

selecting a format from the ‘Decoration:’ drop-down menu. If the
pressure and ambient temperature were to be included in the case
name then the format ‘(V1)%1,(V2)%2’ could be selected, and then
changed to ‘Tamb %1 C, Pin %2 Bara’.

8. It is not necessary to define the units on each row for each parameter,
as the units are specified for each column. If units differ for a given
row then the correct units could be selected from the corresponding
drop-down menu for that row.

21 August 2008 15
 Using OLGA Steady State

9. The definition of the two-parameter study matrix has now been

completed!

10. The ‘Run Study’ button is pressed to perform the matrix of steady state
simulations. Each parametric study model input (*.sinp) and output
files (*.tpl, *.ppl, *.rsw, and *.out) are stored in a new folder of the same
directory that the case file (*.opi) is located in. For a case ‘flow.opi’ a
folder named ‘flow_Study[1]’ would be generated for the first
parametric study added to the case.

11. The cases are highlighted as the simulations run. The ‘Case’ row
colour is orange while the case is in queue to run, and then light blue
after the case simulation is complete.

21 August 2008 16
 Using OLGA Steady State

3.1.3 Parametric study results

The results of the parametric study can now be viewed. Results can be viewed
from the parametric study window by clicking the ‘Trend Plot’, ‘Profile Plot’, or ‘XY
Plot’ buttons.

1. Profile plot is then selected from the Parametric Study menu where the
values of the pre-defined variables at steady state (time = 0) along the
pipeline are plotted. These variables are specified in the PROFILE
keyword in the base model. It should be noted that an arbitrary data
collection interval must be defined using DTPLOT. Similarly, arbitrary
values for DTOUT in the OUTPUT keyword and DTPLOT in the
TREND keyword must be defined.

More definitions and descriptions of available variables are detailed in

the OLGA user guide.

2. Profile curves can be defined by selecting variable to be plotted for

each case in the parametric study. A single case can be selected, or
multiple cases can be plotted on the same graph. The outputs to be
plotted can be filtered by selecting the desired case, branch, and
variables to be displayed in the selection pane by ticking the boxes in
the ‘File’, ‘Variable’, and ‘Branch’ panes of the ‘Filter’ section.
Variables for a given case and branch are then selected by ticking the
boxes in the upper pane of the window. The plot is generated by
clicking the ‘OK’ button in the lower right corner of the window.

21 August 2008 17
 Using OLGA Steady State

3. For example, by setting pressure to be the primary variable, the fluid

temperature profiles as a function of position along the line at a supply
pressure boundary of 60 bara at ambient temperatures of 4, 15 and
20°C could be plotted. The following plot is returned when the above
selections are made and the ‘OK’ button is clicked, indicating that
when the ambient temperature increases, the temperature gradient
between the fluid and the surroundings decreases, and hence, less
heat is lost from the fluid to the environment.

21 August 2008 18
 Using OLGA Steady State

4. Similarly, with TAMBIENT as the primary parameter, the total mass

flow rates in the line at a seawater temperature of 15 °C for various
supply pressures of 40, 60 and 70 bara can be obtained.

21 August 2008 19
 Using OLGA Steady State

5. An additional axis, the horizontal (or alternatively the pipeline) length,

can be considered when the XY Plot (and subsequently from Profile
variable) is selected from the Parametric Study Menu. Here, the
selected variable can be plotted as a function of either the supply
pressure or ambient temperature (defined as the primary parameter) at
a fixed position along the flowline.

6. For example, the total mass flow rate is presented as a function of

supply pressure at various ambient temperature defined. As the supply
pressure increases, the pressure drop across the line increases
correspondingly (fixed arrival pressure), and hence, the mass flow
increases, with the dimension of the pipeline remaining constant. For
such study, it would be advisable to define a larger number of pressure
points when building the parametric study so as to obtain a total mass
flow rate vs. pressure relationship with a higher resolution. As only
three pressures were defined in this simple study, the pressures
between the discrete points are linearly interpolated.

21 August 2008 20
 Using OLGA Steady State

7. Similarly, the liquid holdup as a function of ambient sea temperature at

approximately middle of the flowline (8821 m from the platform) at
various supply pressures can be obtained.

8. In order to create 3-dimensional plots in other software (such as

Microsoft Excel), the profile of some selected variables can be

21 August 2008 21
 Using OLGA Steady State

exported. First, click the ‘Export’ button. Next, paste the data into the
other software (Microsoft Excel, Notepad, etc.).

21 August 2008 22
 Using OLGA Steady State

3.1.4 Multi-variable parametric studies

The method described above provides a straightforward approach to cloning a

matrix of cases in 2 parameters (of up to 25 x 25 cases). In some instances it is
more appropriate for several parameters to vary simultaneously. This can be
achieved by increasing “#Parameters:’.

1. A multi-variable parametric study can be carried out from the OLGA SS

GUI. A maximum of 25 parameters can be specified. Values of each
parameter are entered for each case and the individual case names
are defined by the user. Building and running the cases is identical to
that described for the two-parameter study described above.

21 August 2008 23
 Using OLGA Steady State

21 August 2008 24
 Using OLGA Steady State

3.2 Parametric study examples

3.2.1 Line sizing

This example consists of a single pipeline branch. The parametric study is used
to determine the maximum throughput (of a given 2-phase fluid) as a function of
pipeline internal diameter and pressure drop.

In this example, the inlet pressure is fixed at 150 bara while the outlet pressure is
varied in the range 100 – 140 bara, giving pressure drops of 10 - 50 bar. The
results show that for a 5,000 bbl/day development, either the 10 or 12 inch
pipeline size would be appropriate depending on the pressure drop which can be
accommodated.

Parametric plot to establish liquid throughput for various pipe size options

Outlet Pressure, bara (inlet pressure = 150 bara)

21 August 2008 25
 Using OLGA Steady State

3.2.2 Leaks in pipe

This example case investigates the pressure profiles along a pipeline when a
leak is present near the outlet. In OLGA-steady state the leak is represented
using a negative mass source, and for this example the boundaries are defined
as pressure boundaries.

A parametric study can be defined to examine the behaviour of the pipeline with
varying leak rates (0, -10, -20, -30 and -40 kg/s). The pressure and mass flow
rate profiles at the corresponding leak rates can be obtained.

Leak location

21 August 2008 26
 Using OLGA Steady State

Leak location

21 August 2008 27
 Using OLGA Steady State

3.2.3 Fluid arrival temperatures

Often in pre-FEED design, a simple U value is used for understanding the range
of fluid temperature in the pipeline. This is useful for gaining a broad
understanding of the thermal insulation required to ensure that the fluid
temperature remains above a desired value – such as the wax appearance
temperature. This example case investigates the arrival temperature of the fluid
when different overall heat transfer coefficients (U) are used in the steady state
heat transfer calculations.

Here, the ambient temperature is assumed to be 0 °C, and the U-Values in this
study range between 0 and 16 Wm-2K-1. As the U-Value increases, there is more
heat transfer between the fluid and the ambient conditions, and hence, the arrival
temperature of the fluid decreases.

21 August 2008 28
 Using OLGA Steady State

4 Current limitations of OLGA SS

SPT Group is continuing to extend the functionality of OLGA SS to match the
wide range of simulations that can be conducted using OLGA. Future releases of
OLGA SS will include the following functionalities that are already available in
OLGA for dynamic simulations:

Current status in Suggested work around

OLGA functionality OLGA SS
Check-valves Ignored To prevent reverse flow into a
dead-leg, specify a small
positive mass source (e.g.
0.001 kg/s).
Leaks Ignored Model using a negative source
Counter-current flow Gas, oil and water flow No work around.
must have same
direction
In-line booster pumps Centrifugal and simple For displacement pump and
pump work included pump battery, undertake
Displacement pump separate modelling of the
and pump battery are pipeline upstream and
ignored. downstream of this equipment.
Separators Separators are ignored Use separate branches to
(flow downstream model the inlet and outlet
remains 2-phase) flowlines of a separator. Each
branch should use a different
fluid definition to reflect single-
phase gas/liquid flow in the
outlet branch of the separator.
Controllers • Over-ride and Control action is necessarily
Manual controllers associated with dynamic
function as simulation. The configuration
expected. here enables a steady state
• The Bias setting is model to be configured in
used for PID readiness for use in OLGA
controllers. dynamic simulations.
• PSV is treated as
being closed.
• ESD is treated as
being opened.
Heated walls Subkeys POWER etc No work around.
in WALL are ignored.

21 August 2008 29
 Using OLGA Steady State

The following aspects of multiphase flow are necessarily associated with

transient flow phenomena and are therefore not appropriate to OLGA SS:
Slugtracking, Pigging, Wax phase formation and build-up. The Initial conditions
keyword is also necessarily ignored.

21 August 2008 30