South-Pars Phases 2 and 3: The Kinetic Hydrate Inhibitor (KHI) Experience Applied at Field Start-up

Abstract

Abstract South-Pars Phases 2&3 development in Iran is a "wet scheme" base design: no process is performed offshore, all the produced fluids (sour gas + condensate + water) are directly sent to shore through two 32" 109 km long sea lines. Corrosion and hydrate protection is based on buffered glycol (MEG+MDEA) which is regenerated onshore and sent back to the platforms through two 4½" piggyback lines. The concomitant injection of a Kinetic Hydrate Inhibitor (KHI) and a Corrosion Inhibitor (CI) was initially considered as a back-up solution. This paper presents the field experience with KHI and CI injection which had to be applied for the field start-up during respectively 125 days and 80 days for each sea line. This case represents the first large field application of KHI in the Middle-East and the potential of such Low Dose Hydrate Inhibitor (LDHI) is underlined.