Gas Hydrates Simulation in Flow Assurance: A Perspective on Current Tools and Advancement Toward a Unified Solution

Abstract Gas hydrate models for multiphase production systems have advanced through various research efforts in the last two decades. This paper presents a literature survey summarizing the existing models and a new approach to hydrate modeling. Most models assume a dominant phase (gas, oil, or water) as the hydrate carrier. However, the phase fractions change along the pipeline, requiring a method to handle model transitions. A unified hydrate model approach that captures variable physics along the system is presented and applied to a typical subsea tieback. Advanced hydrate models provide flow assurance engineers with a tool to understand hydrate behavior in multiphase systems, contributing to improving gas hydrate management.