TIME ZONES 1 & 2

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING & PHYSICAL SCIENCES

Chemical Engineering

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B41OA

OIL AND GAS PROCESSING

Semester 2 – 2017/18

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April 2018

Duration: 2 Hours

Instructions to candidates:

Answer THREE questions in total.

(One from Section A, Two from Section B.)

Candidates are expected to show all calculation steps, equations used and
assumptions made (if any).

Data sheets and SI Units Conversion Table are attached with this paper.
 B41OA

SECTION A

(Answer ONE question from this Section)

A1. You may use an organised collection of notes rather than an essay style to answer
parts (a), (b), (c) and (d)(iii) of this question if you prefer.

(a) Describe and illustrate with an appropriate diagram the precipitation

mechanism of asphaltenes.
(5 marks)

(b) For carbonate scales, discuss two of the following:

(i) the mechanism for carbonate scale formation;
(ii) where and when the carbonate scale may be formed;
(iii) how carbonate scale formation may be mitigated or removed.
(4 marks)

(c) Discuss the two stages that comprise the precipitation mechanism of wax in a
hydrocarbon production system.
(6 marks)

(d) Gas enters a processing facility at a rate of 1.22 x 106 m3/day with 0.57 m3/day
of free and condensed water. The stream enters the facility at a pressure of
4.5 MPa (abs).

Cont…/

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 B41OA

/Cont…A1(d)

The gas composition is:

Mole MW
Fraction (kg/kmol)
C1 0.873 16.04
C2 0.054 30.07
C3 0.039 44.10
CO2 0.021 44.01
N2 0.013 28.01

(i) Determine the minimum facility entry temperature which will give a 10 K
hydrate depression temperature when using methanol inhibitor.

(ii) Determine whether or not a methanol injection rate of 65 kg/106 m3 of

gas will be sufficient to mitigate hydrate formation.

(iii) Discuss the limitations of the gas gravity and Hammerschmidt

methodologies. Focus in particular on the implications of mixing the gas
stream with other streams which may contain liquid hydrocarbons and/or
high concentrations of non-hydrocarbon gases.
(10 marks)

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 B41OA

A2. You may use an organised collection of notes rather than an essay style to answer
parts (a), (b) and (c) of this question if you prefer.

(a) Discuss two methods of how asphaltene precipitation may be mitigated and
give two examples of each.
(4 marks)

(b) Describe four characteristics of a ‘good’ scale inhibitor for use in scale
squeezes.
(4 marks)

(c) Discuss, with appropriate examples, the three main problems associated with
the formation of wax in pipelines.
(6 marks)

(d) Hydrates have been reported in a gas flowline in a processing plant following
the seizing partially open of a control value. Normal flowing conditions are
290 K and 2.1 MPa (abs). However, a pressure drop across the valve of
0.35 MPa has been recorded along with a reduction in temperature to 277 K.

The gas prior to any hydrate formation has the following composition:
Mole MW
Fraction (kg/kmol)
C1 0.787 16.04
C2 0.113 30.07
C3 0.068 44.10
iC4 0.032 58.12

Cont…/

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 B41OA

/Cont…A2(d)

(i) Using the distribution co-efficient method, determine the hydrate fraction
of the system and the composition of each phase.

(ii) Use the gas gravity method to determine the minimum temperature at
which the flowline should be maintained at mitigate hydrate formation
without the use of an inhibitor.

(iii) For this scenario, discuss how a thermodynamic inhibitor would mitigate
hydration formation.
(11 marks)

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 B41OA

FLOW ASSURANCE EQUATIONS AND CHARTS

Distribution Co-efficient Equations

𝑧𝑧𝑖𝑖 �1 − 𝐾𝐾𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣,𝑖𝑖 �
� =0
1 + 𝑉𝑉(𝐾𝐾𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣,𝑖𝑖 − 1)

𝑧𝑧𝑖𝑖 𝐾𝐾𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣,𝑖𝑖
𝑦𝑦𝑖𝑖 =
1 + 𝑉𝑉�𝐾𝐾𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣,𝑖𝑖 − 1�

Hammerschmidt Equation

100𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝐼𝐼 ∆𝑇𝑇
𝑊𝑊𝐼𝐼 =
(𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝐼𝐼 ∆𝑇𝑇) + 𝐶𝐶𝐼𝐼

where: Cmethanol = 2335, CMEG = 2000

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 B41OA

Gas Gravity Method Chart

Methane Kvs Chart

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Ethane Kvs Chart

Propane Kvs Chart

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Isobutane Kvs Chart

END OF SECTION A

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 B41OA

SECTION B

(Answer TWO questions from this Section)

B1. You are the senior process engineer on the Hummingbird Spirit FPSO. The
treatment of fluid from the production riser follows a standard process route with a
three-phase high-pressure separator followed by a three-phase low-pressure
separator. Details on the high-pressure separator S-10A installed are listed on the
following page.

(a) Determine the axial velocity (m/s) and hence volumetric flowrate (m3/s) of both
the oil and water phases in the S-10A separator.
(6 marks)

(b) Calculate the size of the water-in-oil droplets, and oil-in-water droplets that are
likely to leave S-10A. Comment on their values with respect to the size
normally expected.
(8 marks)

(c) Calculate the maximum allowable gas volumetric flowrate (m3/s). Assume the
Souders-Brown constant is 0.15 m/s. Would your answer change if the
separator were fitted with a Natco-porta test inlet – explain your answer?
(4 marks)

(d) S-10A is fitted with a standard dished inlet, a single perforated baffle plate,
weir plate and vortex breakers. During one particular severe storm, there is a
marked increase in oil-in-water and water-in-oil which persists after the storm.
Explain what could have led to this situation and outline what you would
recommend to your management to offset future issues, explain your answer
(your recommendation must be precise and not include irrelevant information).
(4 marks)

Cont…/

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 B41OA

/Cont…B1

(e) What other components of the hummingbird topside facility might be affected
by the motion of the platform?
(3 marks)

Additional Data
Sizes Depth Residence Time
Lss D Water Oil Water Oil
m m m m min min
S-10A 15 3 1 2.4 3 10

Properties of liquid and gas phases at operating condition for S-10A

Gas Oil Water
Density (kg/m3) 50 900 990
Viscosity (cP) na 3.5 1.5

Operating pressure is 80 bara, 50 deg C.

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 B41OA

B2. The Trans Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TRANAP) takes natural gas from the
Georgia/Turkey border to the Turkey/Greece border. The pipeline diameter is
56 inches, normal capacity is 16 x 109 Sm3/yr. The supplied profile plot shows a
segment of the pipeline profile to a take-off point 1740 km from the start of the actual
line (see supplied data sheets). Assume that natural gas behaves as an ideal gas,
and has the properties listed in the table below.

(a) Taking an average pressure of 90 bara and temperature of 10°C, show that
the gas velocity is approximately 3.5 m/s.
(5 marks)

(b) Using the Panhandle equation in the data sheets, calculate the gas phase
pressure drop for the 30 km of pipeline. Assume the exit pressure in the
pipeline is 90 bara.
(8 marks)

(c) A second pipeline (250 mm diameter, roughness 0.025 mm) is proposed to

carry liquid (0.5 m/s) that follows the same profile as the gas line. Exit
pressure will be 2 barg and the estimated frictional pressure loss is 10.7 bar.
Draw on the pipeline profile the friction loss line for this second pipeline and
hence determine the hydrostatic pressure at points A, B and C indicated on
the profile plot.
(8 marks)

(d) All mechanical components need inspection. Explain how the oil and gas
pipelines could be inspected.
(4 marks)

Additional Data
Assume ideal gas behaviour
Molar mass of the gas is 21 kg/kmol. Gas viscosity is 11x10-6 Pa.s
Average temperature 10°C, pipeline efficiency E=0.95
Liquid density 890 kg/m3, viscosity 2 cP

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 B41OA

B3. Usually there are two major sections on oil and gas facilities to treat water; produced
water from the reservoir and seawater used for injection. Other sources of water
that need treating include water from gas dehydration and utility water.

(a) In produced water treatment, there are several unit operations including tilted
plate packs, hydrocyclones, gas flotation.

(i) What is the underlying principle by which all three of these units function?
(ii) Describe briefly how each unit is used to remove dispersed oil from bulk
water, mentioning some of the operation challenges each faces.
(9 marks)

(b) Explain why it is necessary to treat seawater and write brief notes on the types
of equipment used.
(6 marks)

(c) In gas processing it is often required to remove water and acid gases.
(i) Sketch out a typical flow scheme for removal of water using glycol.
(ii) Explain why acid gases can pose problems and why these need to be
removed on the platform. Outline two methods often used to remove
acid gases from offshore gas.
(6 marks)

(d) The current UK limit for oil in water is 30 ppm, and in the Gulf of Mexico this is
35 ppm. In your opinion, is it feasible to reduce this to, for example 20 ppm, at
the same time not increasing the environmental impact of the treatment facility
as a whole? Explain your answer.
(4 marks)

END OF PAPER

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