This paper presents an approach to managing hydrate risks in subsea developments the authors have named New Approach of Design Against Hydrates (NADAH). NADAH is based on the understanding that some crudes have induction properties that delay hydrate formation even when the pressure and temperature conditions reach the hydrates’ thermodynamic region. The approach allows for mastered incursions of operating conditions into the hydrate thermodynamic region, but outside of the hydrate formation conditions, by taking into account the crude’s induction capabilities at the early phase of the project.
Description of the Approach
In some crudes, hydrate crystals will not form instantaneously and massively as soon as pressure and temperature (P&T) conditions reach the hydrates’ thermodynamic region. Such properties are named “induction” properties. The proposed approach consists of operating the production line within the hydrates’ thermodynamic region but outside of the hydrates’ formation region.
