Adaptability Analysis of Gathering and Transportation Pipelines in W Shale Gas Field at Different Production Stages

Abstract This article analyzes the adaptability of the gathering and transportation pipelines of M well area from W shale gas field in different production stages. The pipelines are divided into three categories according to the degrees of being influenced by new pipelines. Typical pipeline transportation adaptability is analyzed, and improvement measures are proposed. The results show that the proportion of pipelines whose adaptability levels are above “medium” is 100%, 56%, and 39% in the early, middle, and late stages of production, respectively, which shows a decreasing trend. The adaptability level of the first type of pipeline decreases with the decrease of pipeline flow rate. Building a new pipeline can improve the adaptability level of the second type of pipeline downstream of the pipeline network. Building two or more pipelines can maintain the adaptability level of the third type of pipeline downstream of the pipeline network at “high” or “relatively high”. In response to the reduced adaptability in the middle and late stages, pigging and boosting simulations are conducted. A pigging plan and a rolling “platform boosting in coordination with centralized boosting” plan is developed, resulting in a 92% and 87% increase in transport efficiency in the middle and late stages, respectively. It was also demonstrated that cleaning can be one of the measures to enhance gas production. This article proposes the concept of adaptability analysis for different production stages in shale gas fields for the first time, and proposes reasonable measures to improve the adaptability of shale gas pipeline networks.