Simulation and Optimization of Gathering Pipeline Utilizing Electric Tracing at the Pipeline Center

Abstract Electric Tracing Technology at the Pipeline Center is widely used in the development of peripheral oil fields. However, the problems faced include low simulation accuracy, high equipment investment, and high energy consumption for operation. Initially, we analyzed the friction and heating effects caused by the insertion of electric cables into the Pipeline Center. This analysis was based on the laws of mass, momentum, and energy conservation. Consequently, we established a model for calculating the steady-state temperature and pressure of the gathering pipeline, which utilizes electric tracing at the pipeline center. This model enables accurate computation of temperature and pressure along the pipeline at different power. Subsequently, we developed a Mixed Integer Nonlinear Programming model with the objective of minimizing the sum of investment and operational costs. This model considers constraints such as flow balance, hydrothermal performance, power, and the length of the electrical tracing line. It was solved using a genetic algorithm. The solution comprises the design scheme of electric tracing equipment and operational plans, such as the heating method (point heating or electric tracing), heating power, and temperature. This approach achieves the optimization of the electric tracing gathering pipelines (ETGP). Taking a certain oilfield in Northeast China as an example, the simulation model’s calculated results for temperature and pressure are compared with field data, with relative errors all within 10%. The optimization results show a reduction in the length of electric tracing lines by 13.8% and a decrease in total power by 45.7%. By heating the oil to the minimum transportable temperature and then utilizing the electrical tracing technology to maintain this temperature, we minimize energy consumption during transportation.