Flow Assurance in Subsea Flow and Safety Systems at the Jubilee Field

Abstract Offshore oil and gas production involves many challenging operations, and hence, it has seen many major advancements with several technologies and procedures over the years. Despite advancements in offshore operations, oil and gas lift through subsea systems remains challenging to execute. This research focuses on how to address such challenges to optimise petroleum recovery through subsea systems. The offshore deepwater Jubilee field at the offshore cape three point (OCTP) has several unfriendly flow conditions due to its water depth and reservoir fluid composition. This study simulated API standardized subsea flow assurance challenges using PVTsim and determined the optimal flow assurance strategy for the Jubilee field. In this study, the fluid properties of the Jubilee field were analysed to identify potential flow assurance problems, such as wax, scale, corrosion, and hydrate formation, using available pressure, volume, temperature (PVT), and chemical reaction data. A simulated subsea system was designed and used to investigate the impact of different operational conditions on flow assurance in a subsea system in the field, ranging from system blockage, rupture, and collapse. The conditions that facilitated the existence of these impediments were identified using possible control methods for flow restriction problems. The various flow assurance measures, including chemical injection, mechanical, and thermodynamic controls, were evaluated to determine their effectiveness in mitigating flow restrictions. The obtained results can help predict flow restrictions (intermittent flow, blockage, or excessive pressure drop), prevent internal flow from destroying the structural integrity of the production system components, and preserve the operability and functioning of those components in the subsea systems at the Jubilee field.