Subsea Well Troubleshooting through flow Assurance Dynamic Simulation

Abstract During the commissioning of a gas well integrated into a cluster system, substantial quantities of liquids accumulated within the flowline, resulting from various operational anomalies. This accumulation presented a significant technical challenge during the well restart phase, primarily due to the volumetric surge of liquids in the Slug Catcher and the limitations of topside process liquid management systems. The complexity of this issue necessitated a thorough investigation and the development of a robust solution to displace the accumulated liquids and ensure an effective well restart. To address this challenge, a series of comprehensive studies and analyses were undertaken. The core of this troubleshooting effort was the deployment of a model in a sophisticated flow assurance simulation tool. A multiphase dynamic simulator (MDS) was employed to simulate the liquid displacement process and evaluate the restart behavior of the well under different operational scenarios. This approach facilitated the identification of critical operational parameters and constraints, enabling the development of an effective and reliable operational procedure. The subsequent sections of this paper detail the methodology employed, the insights gained from the simulation studies, and the formulation of the operational procedures designed to mitigate the issues associated with liquid accumulation during well restart. This study highlights the critical role of advanced simulation tools in addressing complex flow assurance challenges in hydrocarbon production systems.