FLOW

ASSURANCE
WITH OLGA

EXERCISES
 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA - EXERCISES

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SLUGGING.................................................................................................3
1.1 Preliminary Pipeline Sizing..............................................................3
1.2 Terrain Slugging – Normal Operation..............................................7
1.3 Terrain Slugging – Mitigation Alternatives.......................................9
1.4 Production Ramp-up......................................................................10
1.5 Decretisation Sensitivity (Optional)...............................................11
1.6 Slugtracking Module .....................................................................11

2. PVTSIM – FLUID PROPERTIES............................................................14

2.1 Gas Condensate Fluid Property File.............................................14
2.2 Harthun Fluid Property File............................................................17
2.3 Mixing condensate and water........................................................18

3. PIPELINE SHUT-IN AND START-UP.....................................................19

3.1 Shutdown Simulations...................................................................21
3.2 Start-up Simulations......................................................................22
3.3 Depressuring Simulations..............................................................23
3.4 Depressuring Simulations – Comp. Tracking (Optional)...............24

4. GAS CONDENSATE PIPELINE.............................................................25

4.1 Geometry Modification...................................................................25
4.2 Steady State Simulations..............................................................28
4.3 Pigging Simulations.......................................................................28
4.4 Turndown Ramp-up.......................................................................30

5. THREE PHASE FLOW – WATER MODULE..........................................31

6. YOU GET A FAX – RESULTS WITHIN TWO HOURS?.........................32

7. (OPTIONAL) SEPARATORS AND CONTROLLERS.............................35

 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – SLUGGING EXERCISE

SLUGGING
The Harthun field has recently been discovered, located approximately 4.3 km due
south of the existing Wigoth Alfa platform in 255 m water depth. It is proposed to
develop this field via a single subsea wellhead and pipeline to the Wigoth Alfa
platform to allow the field potential to be fully assessed during an extended test
phase prior to full field development. The field will flow at production rates of
between 5 and 15 kg/s.

Wigoth Alfa is located in 270 m of water with the production deck located 30 m above
sea level. There is an existing 300 m long 4 inch riser on Wigoth Alfa which was pre-
installed during the construction phase of the platform to accommodate future
subsea field developments. The riser has an internal diameter of 0.1 m with a wall
thickness of 7.5 mm and no insulation.

Recent topsides modifications involving the installation of multiphase well test meters
has allowed the existing Test Separator to be freed up as a dedicated Harthun
production separator. The Test Separator operating pressure is to be maintained at
50 bara to allow the gas to be feed forward to the export compression system.
(Preliminary topsides studies indicate that there is not sufficient spare capacity in the
flash gas compressor to handle the additional gas from Harthun).

The minimum ambient temperature can be assumed to be 6°C. The ambient heat
transfer coefficient, (from the outside of the pipe structure to the surroundings), can
be assumed to be 6.5 W/m²/K in the absence of any other data.

You are required to perform a study into the technical viability of producing Harthun
over Wigoth Alfa, taking account the following:-
• pipeline size required,
• production stability during both full production and well testing phases
• insulation requirements during both normal production, well testing and
shutdown
• establish any limitations due to the existing topsides facilities during both
normal operating and transient operations.

A number of hints have been prepared to help you to complete this task. It is
recommended that you read these prior to commencing each activity.

1.1 Preliminary Pipeline Sizing

The first task is to establish the pipeline size and insulation level required to achieve
the desired production and turndown rates. This can be done by performing a series
of steady state simulations using an assumed pipeline profile. However, there is
very little information currently available, specifically, there is no seabed profile with
the only information being the water depth at the Harthun well and the existing
platform information. Consequently, you will need to assume a rough pipeline profile.

You will need to establish the insulation thickness required, (initially assume 20 mm),
to prevent both hydrate and wax formation in the pipeline during steady state and
turndown operations. It can be assumed for this case that the minimum required
arrival temperature at Wigoth Alfa is 27°C to avoid wax formation.

Assume that the flowing wellhead temperature for all cases is constant at 62°C in the
absence of any other data from the Production Department. You have been advised
that the maximum allowable pipeline inlet pressure is 80 bara at a flowrate of 15
kg/s.
FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – SLUGGING EXERCISE

The properties of the steel and insulation can be assumed to be as follows:-

Material Density Specific Heat Thermal

[kg/m³] [J/kg/K] Conductivity
[W/m/K]
Steel 7,850 500 50
Insulation 1,000 1,500 0.135

The pipeline roughness is assumed to be 0.028 mm. You can assume that the
topsides pipe work has an internal diameter of 0.1 m in line with the riser.

The fluid is thought to be very similar to the Wigoth wellstream fluid. In the absence
of any fluid compositions, the fluid files generated for Wigoth are to be used. They
may be found in the Harthun directory, (Wigoth.tab).

The steady state simulations should be performed for two flowrates, specifically, 5
and 15 kg/s. The former case will dictate the insulation levels required whilst the
latter will tend to dictate the pipeline internal diameter. The gas fraction for the
SOURCE should be set to -1.

HINTS:

Create a new project in the directory

FA Exercises OLGA 5.0
Harthun
called {Steady State.opp}

Please do not work in the Solutions

directory.

Create a new case called {Steady State.opi}

based on the OLGA Basic Case Template.

This will create a complete case which can be run. Expand the case in the Model
View window so that the entire model can be visualised. The template now needs to
be edited to reflect the current project.

Remember to use the Verify button to establish where there are errors in the
simulations. Note that the case will run straight away but this will not be the case as
the case is modified.

It is good practise to modify the default labels to labels which make sense. This will
help not only you to understand the model but also the quality assurance checkers
and most importantly the course instructors to understand your model. For example,
the first material is steel, so change the label from the default ‘MATER-1’ to ‘Steel’,
the second material, ‘MATER-2’, is insulation so rename it accordingly.

Two different wall structures will need to be defined, one for the pipeline, (with 20
mm of insulation), and a second for the riser (with no insulation).

Change the description of the geometry to

PRELIMINARY and adjust the ‘Y’ coordinate of the
start of the pipeline to -255 m, (corresponding to
the water depth at Harthun).
FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – SLUGGING EXERCISE

You should also adjust the ‘Y’ coordinate of the INLET node to the same elevation
and change the LABEL to Harthun Wellhead.

You will also need to change the ‘X’ and ‘Y’

coordinates of the OUTLET node and change the
LABEL to Wigoth Test Sep.

Changing the coordinates of the nodes will allow

the pipeline profile to be visualised in 3
dimensions.

Remember to specify the outlet pressure as 50

bara and the gas fraction as 1, (i.e. only gas will
flow back into the pipeline). The separator
temperature can be assumed to be 27°C, (the
minimum allowable arrival temperature).

A preliminary pipeline profile is provided below.

The initial line sizing will be done using OLGA as a conventional steady state
simulator, therefore, the ENDTIME specified under INTEGRATION should be set to
the same value as the STARTTIME, i.e. 0 seconds.

The inlet flowrate is to be specified using a SOURCE. Change the LABEL to

Harthun. Set the GASFRACTION to equal -1. This means that fluid table will be
used to establish the ratio of gas to hydrocarbon liquid present in the SOURCE
flowrate. The SOURCE temperature and local pressure are taken into account in
establishing the equilibrium gas mass fraction. The SOURCE WATERFRACTION
should be set to 0, i.e. no water.

The following output specifications will also need to be given as a minimum to allow
the results of the simulations to be visualised. Remember that the variables
specified in the OUTPUTDATA keyword will export the data to the *.out file which
allows the data to be viewed in a text editor. (This file contains a print of the input file
and certain other useful information from the case). Variables specified under
FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – SLUGGING EXERCISE

TRENDDATA and PROFILEDATA will be able to be viewed graphically using the

GUI.

Specify the following variables to be exported to the output file every hour.
• Hold-up (HOL)
• Pressure (PT)
• Temperature (TM)
• Flow Regime Indicator (ID)

Remember that some variables (HOL, PT and TM) are volume variables which are
averaged properties for each pipe section whilst ID is a boundary variable, i.e. it is
plotted at the edge of each pipeline section.

The flow regime indicator will output a code which corresponds to different flow
regimes. The flow regime codes are as follows:-
1 Stratified Wavy Flow
2 Annular Flow
3 Hydrodynamic Slug Flow
4 Dispersed Bubble Flow

Specify the following variables to be written to the trend file (*.tpl file) every 10
seconds, (DTPLOT on TREND in the Property window). The variables may be at a
particular point in the pipeline network or variables which relate to individual
flowpaths or to the entire simulation. These variables are of different type and cannot
be mixed in one single trend specification.

Plot flowline inlet pressure and temperature. Also plot pressure and temperature in
the last pipe on top of the platform. Note that this should be done on a separate
TRENDDATA entry.

Plot the total mass flowrate (GT), the gas mass flowrate (GG), the total liquid mass
flowrate (GLT), the volumetric gas flowrate (QG) and the volumetric flowrate of liquid
(QLT) out of the topsides piping. These should be plotted on a separate
TRENDDATA entry.

Plot the total amount of liquid (LIQC) in the pipeline as function of time. Again, this
should be done on a separate TRENDATA entry as LIQC is a different type of
variable from the other variables that you have specified.

Specify the following variables to be written to the profile file (*.ppl file) every 5
minutes.
• Hold-up (HOL)
• Pressure (PT)
• Temperature (TM)
• Flow Regime Indicator (ID)

Create and run the simulation at a rate of 5 kg/s to ensure that the file runs. Then
use a parametric study to create and run steady state simulations for flowrates of 5
and 15 kg/s over a range of pipeline internal diameters, i.e. 8, 10, 12 and 14 cm.

Establish the correct pipeline size first and then update the model prior to performing
establishing the insulation level required to achieve the desired arrival temperature.
 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – SLUGGING EXERCISE

The parametric study

option is accessed from
the Tools menu as shown.

The Parametric Study

window is then opened.

Select the number of

#Parameters to be
studied. There are two
parameters to be
considered in these cases,
the pipeline diameter,
(PIPE-1) and the flowrate.

Right click in Case and

select Insert Case and
repeat until the desired
number of cases have
been created.

Right click on the next column header and select the parameter to be adjusted. The
units may be changed in the next column.

Once completed, the parametric study may be run by clicking on [Run Study]. View
the results as either a trend or a profile plot to establish the required pipeline
diameter and then update the base model with the correct pipeline diameter.

Note that the results from the parametric study are referred to by the case number
but can be edited in the graphical interface to allow the graphs to be more
descriptive. This is done by right clicking in the graph and selecting Configuration...
The name may be edited by clicking on the [Title] button.

It is possible to perform a parametric study on items relating to each individual

flowpath only. Consequently, the effect of changing the insulation levels may not
currently be studied using a parametric study. You will therefore need to gradually
change the insulation levels until the correct arrival temperature has been
established at a flowrate of 5 kg/s. (Hint: increase the total insulation thickness in
increments of 5 mm). You may also create duplicate cases to allow the different
insulation levels to be compared.

As a result of the above steady state simulations, you should now have established
the pipeline size required to achieve the desired production rates and established the
minimum insulation level required on the pipeline. The pipeline model should now be
updated to reflect this configuration.

1.2 Terrain Slugging – Normal Operation

The Project Pipeline Engineer has now provided a more detailed pipeline profile from
Harthun to Wigoth Alfa. This profile is presented below.
FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – SLUGGING EXERCISE

Location Distance Water Depth # of Sections

(X Coordinate) (Y Coordinate)
[m] [m]
Wellhead 0 -255
1,000 -255 5
1,400 -250 2
1,800 -255 2
3,400 -255 8
Riser Base 4,300 -270 6
Riser Top 4,300 30 6
Topsides 4,400 30 2

It is suspected that terrain slugging may cause serious problems to the process
facilities on the platform due to the presence of a low point at the riser base. The
purpose of this exercise is to establish the possibility of severe slugging in the
Harthun riser.

Determine the extent of terrain slugging by varying the pipeline inlet flow rate (i.e. at
well head) by creating 3 different cases at flowrates of 5 kg/s, 10 kg/s and 15 kg/s to
avoid overwriting the results.

Each simulation should be run for 2 hours, i.e. remember to change the ENDTIME in
INTEGRATION to 2 hours.

PLOT can be used to produce a

*.PLT file that can be animated by
the OLGA-Viewer,. (The OLGA
Viewer is be started from the
Tools menu.) It is particularly
useful in helping visualise the
change in some variables along
the length of the pipeline with time.

Add PLOT to the simulation file to

animate the hold-up profile (HOL)
every 1 minute

HINTS:

Create a new project called {Slugging.opp} and open the steady state case with the
correct insulation level.

Duplicate and name the new case {Slug 5.opi}. It is recommended that the original
case is removed from the new project to avoid inadvertent editing. Make the
necessary changes to {Slug 5.opi} and run the simulation. Duplicate {Slug 5.opi} two
times (once the original file is correct), call the new files {Slug 10.opi} and {Slug
15.opi} and change the flowrate accordingly. Note that this study could also be
performed using a parametric study but in this case use separate cases as the
results will be required for subsequent simulations and some simulations will be
modified later.
 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – SLUGGING EXERCISE

The pipeline profile can be edited directly in the Geometry window. Additional points
can be added in the pipeline by right clicking on the pipe name after which the new
position is to be inserted. The pipes can then be re-ordered by selecting <Tools>
<Reset Pipe Labels>. You will need to redefine the TRENDDATA positions if the
pipes are re-ordered. The recommended profile for this case is presented below.
Note the transition in PIPE-5 from the pipeline section lengths to the riser section
length, (3 sections of 200 m followed by a section of 150 m, a section of 100 m and a
final section of 50.125 m).

Compare the cases by checking the total liquid volume flow out of the flowline and
the pressure at the inlet using trend plots. It is also recommended that the flow
regime is checked along the length of the pipeline for each case.

1.3 Terrain Slugging – Mitigation Alternatives

A number of mitigation options have been identified to prevent severe slugging in the
riser. The two options are:-
• Choking the flow at the top of the platform
• Injecting gas at the bottom of the riser

It is recommended that these exercises be performed as a new project. Add the 5

kg/s case (Slug 5.opi) to the new project and create two duplicate cases, (<File>
<Duplicate Case...>), and call the new files {Topsides Choke.opi} and {Gas Lift.opi}.
Then delete the original case from the Project to avoid inadvertent editing.

Topsides Choking.

A valve is added by right clicking on the flowpath as shown.

 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – SLUGGING EXERCISE

Define a choke with the VALVE key at PIPE_7,

section boundary 2. Specify a diameter of 0.1
m. The discharge coefficient (CD) has a default
value of 0.84. Start with a value for OPENING
of 0.12 (i.e. 12% of full cross sectional area).

Decrease the valve opening. Try the following

openings: 0.10, 0.04 and 0.01. This sensitivity
may be done using a parametric study to allow
the results of the different openings to be
compared.

What is the valve opening required to stabilize

the flow at 5 kg/s and what is the down side of this option?

Gas Lift

Start with the Gas Lift cases create earlier. Add a gas SOURCE at the riser base.
You will need to think about how you add only gas at the riser base.

Try lift gas rates of 0.2, 0.6 and 1.2 kg/s. Use a gas source temperature of 32°C.

How much gas injection is required to avoid the slugging problems at 5 kg/s (without
choking)? What other issues may present problems with this option?

1.4 Production Ramp-up

This case introduces the concept of changing variables over time. Investigate the
effect of increasing the rate from 5 to 15 kg/s over 1 minute.

Simulate for 1 hour at 5 kg/s, ramp up the rate over 1 minute to 15 kg/s and simulate
the second hour at this rate. A time series can be entered by clicking on the
Timeseries icon, ( ) in the Properties window. The following window will appear.
Enter the data to generate the graph as shown.
 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – SLUGGING EXERCISE

1.5 Decretisation Sensitivity (Optional)

You may also wish, (time permitting) to check the impact of the pipeline decretisation
on the results of the 5 kg/s case, i.e. the effect of increasing the number of sections
in each pipe.

Try increasing the number of pipe sections by 2 times, 5 times and 10 times and run
each simulation. These should be prepared as separate cases to allow the results to
be compared.

What is the down side of increasing the number of pipe sections? Have we gained
any more information on the pipeline operation?

1.6 Slugtracking Module

You have seen that the outlet liquid volume flowrate at 15 kg/s is stable. However,
from the profile of the flow pattern indicator, we see that parts of the pipeline are in
the hydrodynamic slug flow regime (ID = 3). We have no idea of the size of any
slugs that may come out of the pipeline and cannot quantify any problems that may
be encountered in the separator. Therefore, we need to use the Slug Tracking
module to quantify the slug sizes expected.

Slug Tracking simulations would normally be performed as a series of restart

simulations from another case which allow some data to be excluded from the final
analysis. However, slug tracking simulations can also be run without having to
perform a restart. This is the method that will be used here, (restart is covered
later).

Duplicate the {Slug 15.opi} case and save it with a different name for example
{Slugtracking 15.opi}.

The Slug Tracking module is accessed as follows:-

FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – SLUGGING EXERCISE

Turn on SLUGTRACKING. Activate the

HYDRODYNAMIC slugging option only. Use
default values for all other input in the
Property window.

It is important to specify the relevant output variables before you start the simulation.
Add the boundary variable ACCLIQ at PIPE_7, Section 3. (ACCLIQ is the
accumulated total liquid volume flow on a pipe boundary and is a boundary variable
so it can be added to one of the existing TRENDDATA entries).

You may also add slug tracking trend plot variables at PIPE_6, Section 1 and at
PIPE_7, Section 1. LSLEXP which is the length of a slug when the given boundary
is within that slug. Run the case for 2 hours and inspect the result.

You should also turn on the DEBUG option under OPTIONS in the Model View
window. This will generate slug statistics in the output file.

Add the trend variables NSLUG (total no. of

slugs in the system) and HT (integration
time step). These variables are global
variables and should be entered under
Output in the Properties window.

To make a partly automatic calculation of liquid slug and surge volume, plot the
accumulated liquid volume at the pipeline outlet as a trend plot and right click in the
graph. Select <Dataset> <Copy Data> and paste the data into an Excel spreadsheet.

In the Excel spreadsheet, perform the following calculation on the ACCLIQ time
series:

Vsurgej+1 = MAX(0, Vsurgej + ACCLIQj+1 - ACCLIQj - Qdrain*( tj+1 - tj ))

FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – SLUGGING EXERCISE

For Qdrain, one can use the average liquid flow rate or, if known, the maximum drain
capacity of the inlet separator.

Open the output file from the icon in the output toolbar to view the slug statistics.
 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – PVTSIM EXERCISE

2. PVTSIM – FLUID PROPERTIES

For any OLGA simulation, it is necessary to specify a fluid property file, which
contains information about the amounts and properties of gas and oil (and water if
applicable) for a given range of pressure and temperature. PVTsim is used to make
such fluid files.

Open PVTsim.

Select <File> <Create New Database> and

store the database in the PVTsim directory.
FA Exercises OLGA 5
PVTsim
Alternatively, you may create a new database
by clicking the [New database] button in the
Fluid Management window. (This window
can be opened from <Window> <Fluid
Management>.)

Then select <Fluid> <Enter New Fluid>, (or click on the button in the Fluid
Management window), to enter a new fluid into the database. The following window
appears.

2.1 Gas Condensate Fluid Property File

You shall now make an OLGA fluid property file for a gas condensate. This file will
be used later in the course.

Fill in the fluid text labels with the following information:-

as in the window above and
• Well = Condensate
• Fluid = Condensate
• Sample = Condensate00
• Text = Gas Condensate

Enter the composition for the fluid “Condensate00” given in the table below:
 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – PVTSIM EXERCISE

Component Name Mole % Molecular Density

Weight [g/cm³]
[kg/kmol]
Nitrogen 0.1
Carbon Dioxide 1.64
Methane 87.39
Ethane 5.75
Propane 2.30
I-Butane 0.48
N-Butane 0.85
I-Pentane 0.26
N-Pentane 0.30
Hexane 0.28
C7 0.65 100.21 0.690
C8 1.1e-4 210.00 0.750
C9+ 1.5e-4 300.00 0.800

The “C9” component is a plus component (if the fluid has a plus component, the last
component is always considered to be the plus component). No experimental data is
given.

Check Save CHAR Fluid and then click [OK] in the fluid window. The fluid is now
characterized (i.e. the heaviest component is broken down into a number of new
pseudo components). The characterised fluid becomes the last fluid in the database
and is to be used for the remainder of the exercise.

Make a phase envelope using Phase Envelope option in the

Simulations window or by clicking on the icon, ( ) on the
toolbar.

Perform a PT flash of the condensate at 15°C and 1 bara

using the Flash option in the Simulations window or by clicking on the icon, ( ) on
the toolbar. The following results window will appear. Note that there is a [Save
Phase] button. This allows the individual gas and liquid phase compositions to be
 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – PVTSIM EXERCISE

saved to the database as separate fluids. This is useful when recombining

wellstream fluids to achieve a specific GOR.

Generate an OLGA fluid property file with the file name {condensate00.tab} using the
[OLGA 2000] button on the Interfaces window or by clicking the OLGA 2000 icon, (
), on the toolbar. (The Interfaces window is opened from either <Windows>
<Interfaces> or from the Simulations window.)

The following window will appear.

The OLGA table range should be:

• Pressure range = 1 to 120 bara
• Temperature range = -20 to 100°C
• Number of Pressure points = 50
• Number of Temperature points = 50

Note that it is possible to generate a single {*.tab} file containing a number of different
fluids by entering the details of the other fluids under the Fluid 2, Fluid 3 etc Tabs.

Use GasCond for Fluid Label. Use the defaults for the other input, click [OK] and
wait until the window below appears. Close the window and click [Cancel].
 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – PVTSIM EXERCISE

2.2 Harthun Fluid Property File

In this exercise, you shall make an OLGA fluid property file for the Harthun oil using
PVTsim. The composition for the fluid “Harthun” is given below:

Component Name Mole % Molecular Density

Weight [g/cm³]
[kg/kmol]
Nitrogen 0.03
Carbon Dioxide 1.23
Methane 39.29
Ethane 7.65
Propane 6.43
I-Butane 2.14
N-Butane 4.44
I-Pentane 1.99
N-Pentane 2.57
Hexane 4.35
C7 19.50 100.21 0.690
C8 3.62 210.00 0.750
C9+ 6.76 300.00 0.800
No experimental data is given. The last component C9+ is a plus component.
Repeat the same as for the gas condensate fluid

Complete the following activities as for the gas condensate fluid above:-
 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – PVTSIM EXERCISE

• Input the Harthun composition as a new fluid.

• Make a phase envelope using Phase Envelope option.
• Make a PT flash at 15°C and 1 bara using the PT flash option.
• Generate an OLGA fluid property file termed {Harthun.tab}. Use ‘Harthun’ for
the fluid label.

The OLGA table range should be:

• Pressure range = 1 to 200 bara
• Temperature range = -10 to 100°C
• Number of pressure points = 50
• Number of temperature points = 50

The OLGA fluid property file should contain data for two phases only. Everything
else is as per the default settings in PVTsim.

2.3 Mixing condensate and water

Select <Fluid> <Database> from the PVTsim main menu. Duplicate the composition
Condensate. The duplicated composition appears as the last composition and is
identical to the original, see below.

Select the duplicated composition, change the name to “Three phase” and add 0.05
mole % of water to the total composition and press Normalize.

Generate an OLGA fluid property file “threephase.tab” with the following

specifications:

• Pressure range = 1 to 120 bara

• Temperature range = -20 to 100°C
• Number of Pressure points = 50
• Number of Temperature points = 50
• Check three phase.

Use “GasCondWet” for the fluid label, the defaults for everything else and generate
the new fluid property file.
FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – TRANSIENT EXERCISE

3. PIPELINE SHUT-IN AND START-UP

The main goal in this exercise is to conduct well shut-in and start-up simulations in
order to determine the thickness of the insulation layer needed to keep the fluid
temperature a minimum of 5°C above the hydrate formation temperature after a 8
hour shutdown period, (i.e. a ‘no-touch’ time of 8 hours during which time the
operators do not need to do anything to the pipeline). The hydrate formation curve
has been prepared based on the composition in the PVTsim exercise and is as
follows;-

Temperature Hydrate
[°C] Pressure
[bara]
-20 2.1
-15 2.7
-10 3.4
-5 4.2
0 5.3
5 11.4
10 23.3
15 48.6
18 78.2
20 138.9
21.1 200.0

At the end of the shutdown, the operator will then have two options, namely to restart
production or to depressure the pipeline to ensure that the pipeline contents remain
outside hydrate formation conditions in the event that production cannot be restarted.
The liquid surge volume out of the pipeline for both the start-up and depressurisation
options will be determined along with the gas rate to flare.

The Production Engineers have also provided the proposed well profile and the
expected reservoir conditions. You have been requested to include the wellbore in
the simulation model to allow the interactions between the well and the flowline to be
assessed.

The wellbore is a 1,000 m long deviated pipe with an inclination of 45° followed by an
800 m long vertical pipe to the wellhead. The tubing has an inner diameter of 0.101
m and the thickness of the tubing wall is 6.88 mm. The inner roughness of the tubing
is assumed to be 0.025 mm.

The formation outside the tubing can be approximated by a 0.6 m thick concentric
formation layer. The formation layer should be modelled as a number of layers. The
physical properties of the formation rock are given below

Material Density Specific Heat Thermal

[kg/m³] [J/kg/K] Conductivity
[W/m/K]
Formation 2,243 1,256 1.59

Assume a linear geothermal temperature gradient between the perforations and the
seabed (70°C to 6°C).
FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – TRANSIENT EXERCISE

The simulations will be performed as a series of restart simulations to reduce the

computational time required to address both the shutdown and the
restart/depressurisation issues.

HINTS:

Create a new project and use the {Slug 5.opi} case as the base case. Duplicate the
original case and call the new case {Shutdown.opi}. The original case should then
be removed from the project.

Create a new node to represent the bottom of the wellbore and name it Reservoir.
Define the X and Y coordinates based on the information below. You will also need
to redefine one of the existing nodes as it changes from being a terminal node. (See
the following sketch.)
Wigoth
Separator

Elev. = +30
Sea Level (LAT) Elev. = 0

Harthun
Wellhead Harthun Pipeline

Elev. = -255

Harthun
Wellbore

Elev. = -1,762
Harthun
Reservoir

Add a new WALL structure with the formation layer included (divide this layer into six
layers with thicknesses of 10, 20, 40, 80, 150 and 300 mm).

Add the two new wellbore pipes as a separate FLOWPATH named Harthun
Wellbore. Note that the X coordinates are relative to the wellhead and the Y
coordinates are relative to the sea level or LAT;-

Location Distance Depth # of Sections

(X Coordinate) (Y Coordinate)
[m] [m]
Reservoir -707 -1762
0 -1055 5
Wellhead 0 -255 4
 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – TRANSIENT EXERCISE

Should be specified using the HEATTRANSFER keyword. Use a vertical

INTERPOLATION. Use an ambient heat transfer coefficient (HAMBIENT) of 6.5
W/m²/K.

You are to use the new Harthun fluid composition provided for the PVTsim exercise.
The fluid property file to be used is {Harthun.tab}.

The inflow to the model will be simulated using a

WELL keyboard as opposed to the SOURCE
previously used. (You will need to delete the
source from the previous case). The WELL
option is accessed from the same location as the
SOURCE option. Add a new WELL and enter
the following data in the Property window:-
• TIME = 0 s
• RESPRESSURE = 180 bara
• RESTEMPERATURE = 70°C
• PIPE = PIPE-1
• SECTION = 1
• GASFRACTION = -1
• WATERFRACTION = 0

Specify a linear inflow performance relationship

(IPR) for the reservoir by setting PRODOPTION
to LINEAR and repeat for INJOPTION.

The formula for a linear IPR is Q = A + B*∆P.

You need to specify A and B for both Production and Injection (corresponds to
specifying backflow conditions). The well productivity index, (PI or BPROD) and
injectivity index, (II or BINJ) is assumed to be 0.000003 kg/s/Pa. Set the AINJ and
the APROD to 0. The WELL is located at the middle of the wellbore.

Add two new valves located at the Harthun Wellhead, (PIPE 2, section 5) and at the
Harthun Riser, (PIPE 7, section 2). The wellhead valve has a diameter of 0.089 m
and the platform valve has a diameter of 0.1 m.

3.1 Shutdown Simulations

The initial steady state and shutdown operations will be performed as a single
simulation. This is because the insulation thickness cannot be changed as part of a
restart simulation.

You are to run the revised model for a 2 hour period followed by an 8 hour shutdown.

Is the insulation sufficient to maintain the minimum pipeline temperature at least 5°C
above the hydrate formation temperature at the local pressure at the end of the 8
hour shutdown? If not, determine the required insulation level to achieve this
specification.

HINTS:

Both valves shall be fully open for the first two hours of the simulation. Close the
wellhead valve and the platform valve simultaneously over a period of 60 seconds to
shutdown the production. Simulate a shut-in period of 8 hours. The total simulation
time adds up to 10 hours, (ENDTIME = 10 h).
 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – TRANSIENT EXERCISE

The simple way to do the valve

manipulations is to use time
series for valve openings. This
is done by clicking on the
Timeseries icon, ( ) in the
Properties window.

The time is given in minutes with

the corresponding valve
openings specified, (1 is fully
open and 0 is fully closed). The
valve moves linearly with time
between the time points specified with the exact position determined by interpolation.
(You may specify any opening between 0 and 1.)

The difference between the

local temperature and the
hydrate formation
temperature at the local
pressure may be plotted
directly in OLGA since the
hydrate formation curve is
provided.

The hydrate formation

curve is entered under the
HYDRATECHECK option which is accessed from the Properties window as shown.
Enter the hydrate formation curve presented above.

Add the variable DTHYD to the PROFILE plot for each FLOWPATH and use this
variable to evaluate the insulation requirements.

3.2 Start-up Simulations

You will now need to address the pipeline start-up operation once the correct
insulation has been established. This simulation can be performed as a RESTART
simulation using the pipeline conditions in the Harthun pipeline at the end of the
shutdown simulation as the initial conditions for the restart simulation.

HINTS:

Create a duplicate case based on the

shutdown simulation {Shutdown.opi} and
call the new case {Start-up.opi}.

Modify the new case to include the

RESTART keyword from the Model View
window as shown.

Specify the FILE to be used as the initial

conditions for this simulation as
{Shutdown.rsw} in the appropriate location
in the Property window.
 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – TRANSIENT EXERCISE

Select the INTEGRATION window and change the ENDTIME to 12 hours and delete
the STARTTIME. This will ensure that the end time from the Shutdown simulation is
used as the start time for the Start-up simulation.

Run the simulation and estimate the maximum surge volume in the slug catcher
during start-up. Assume a separator liquid drain rate equal to the average steady
state liquid production from the first two hours of the case {Shutdown.opi}. Use the
variable ACCLIQ and/or QLT to establish the required surge volume. Do not forget
to open the valves!!!!

Can the surge volume at start-up be reduced using a different start-up procedure?

3.3 Depressuring Simulations

The pipeline must be depressurised to avoid hydrate formation in the event that the
pipeline cannot be restarted immediately following the shutdown. A 2”NB (5 cm ID)
manual valve to flare is provided upstream of the Wigoth Separator isolation valve.
You are required to confirm that the pipeline can be depressurised through this valve
without the fluid temperature falling into the hydrate formation region. You are also
to confirm the total liquid volume generated during the depressurisation operation
and check to make sure that the flare capacity is not exceeded.

The wellhead and riser valves will be left closed during the depressuring simulations
which will be performed by modelling the route to flare as a LEAK.

LEAKS are controlled using a

CONTROLLER which may be added
under Library in the Model View
window.

Set-up the CONTROLLER as a manual

controller with the following parameters:-
• TYPE = MANUAL
• STROKETIME = 10 s
• MAXCHANGE = 0.2

The CONTROLLER set point should be 0 for the

first 10 hours of the shutdown (i.e. the leak is
closed) and then opened over a 1 minute period.
This time series may be entered as a time series
by clicking on the Timeseries icon, ( ) in the
Properties window.

Add a LEAK in the pipe section immediately upstream of the topsides isolation valve
with a diameter of 5 cm. (A LEAK is an item of Process Equipment). The leak
should have a back pressure of 5 bara corresponding to the flare system
 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – TRANSIENT EXERCISE

backpressure. The CONTROLLER is CONTROLLER-1 which has just been

specified.

Specify the following leak variables to be exported to the trend file.

• Accumulated mass of gas released downstream of leak (ACGLKEX)
• Accumulated volume of gas released downstream of leak (ACQGLKEX)
• Accumulated volume of oil released downstream of leak (ACQOLKEX)
• Gas mass flow downstream of leakage (GGLKEX)
• Liquid mass flow downstream of leakage (GLLKEX)

Run the simulation and confirm that the fluid temperature in the pipeline does not fall
into the hydrate formation region. Also check the peak gas and liquid rates and the
total volume of liquid generated during the depressurisation.

3.4 Depressuring Simulations – Comp. Tracking (Optional)

This exercise is a repeat of the previous depressuring case but uses a full
compositional approach as opposed to the table approach from the previous
simulations. The shutdown simulation has already been performed {Shutdown
CompTrack.opi} and the resulting restart file is located in the Harthun directory.

The Compositional Fluid file you require is located in the PVTsim directory and is
called {Harthun.ctm}.

You are required to duplicate the depressuring case {Depressure.opi} and rename it
{Depressure CompTrack.opi}. There are a number of other modifications required to
change the new file to run in compositional tracking mode. Make the necessary
changes and run the simulation.

Compare the results with those from {Depressure.opi} and explain the differences.
 FA WITH OLGA – GAS CONDENSATE EXERCISE

4. GAS CONDENSATE PIPELINE

In this exercise, a gas-condensate pipeline through hilly terrain shall be simulated.
The fluid property file to be used is {condensate00.tab} which was created in the
PVTsim exercise.

A preliminary case has been prepared called {Initial.opi} which may be found in the
Gas Condensate directory. This file has not been completed and a very rough
pipeline profile has been assumed.

Your task is to get the file to run and then to modify the pipeline profile to reflect the
geometry supplied by your Pipeline Engineer as a tabulation of x-y coordinates in the
file {geo.xy}.

The pipeline outlet pressure is 1015 psia. The fluid inlet temperature is 120°F. The
wall thickness of the pipeline is 0.5 inches, the pipeline is buried and the ambient
temperature is 3°C. The burial is modelled by adding two 1 ft thick layers of soil to the
wall.

4.1 Geometry Modification

This exercise will guide you through the steps required to import the new pipeline
profile into the simulation model.

Duplicate the original case {Initial} and save the new case as {Simplified.opi}.
Expand out the file structure in the Model View window.

Right click on GEOMETRY : INITIAL to access the Geometry Editor.

Left click and drag one of the tabs down to allow the data entry window and the
flowpath profile graph to be viewed together by creating a new horizontal tab group
as shown below.

Enter the Diameter (19 inches) and Roughness (0.0018 inches) in the first row as
shown above. These values will become the default values when the new geometry
is imported.

Select <File> <Import…> and select the file {Geo.xy}. (Note that it is also possible to
cut and paste from excel.)
 FA WITH OLGA – GAS CONDENSATE EXERCISE

Save this new geometry as {SIMPLIFIED.geo}. You will now need to define the Wall
structure for each pipe. This can be done by using standard windows copy and
paste functions.

The next step is to check the angle distribution by selecting <Tools> <Check Angle
Distribution>. The following Angle Distribution window will appear.

The colour of the bars and the % values in the output window indicate the difference
between the average angle of the pies within an angle group and the average value
of the angle group. Green, (and a low % deviation) represents a good match
whereas red (and a high % deviation) represents a poor match. The angle groups
can be modified to provide a better match.

Select <Tools> <Angle Groups> and the following

window will appear. Additional angle groups my be
added by clicking [Add] and entering the angle of
the new angle group. The angle groups will
automatically be re-ordered.

Modify the Angle Groups to give the following groupings. Clicking on [OK] will
give the following results which represents a better match between the angle
groups and the actual profile.
 FA WITH OLGA – GAS CONDENSATE EXERCISE

The profile will then be simplified by using the filter.

This is done by selecting <Tools> <Filter…> from
the main menu. Select the Angle Distribution tab.

Move the ‘slider’ for the X End position to the right to

select the entire pipeline and set the Pipe Length for
Generated Pipes to 2,000.

Save the new geometry as {FILTERED.geo}. Now compare the results by selecting
the respective graphs in the Geometry Editor window.

The angle distributions should also be checked to ensure that there is a reasonable
match.
 FA WITH OLGA – GAS CONDENSATE EXERCISE

The filtered geometry will now be used as the new pipeline profile. Close the
{Actual.geo}. Enter the pipeline Diameter (19 inches), Roughness (0.0018 in) and
Wall definition (WALL-1) in the tabular format. (The units may be changed by right
clicking on the column heading). Note that the cells may be Copied and Pasted
using standard windows protocols.

We will now specify the length of each pipe section. Select

<Tools> <Discretize> from the menu. The Discretize selected
profile window will appear. Specify the Min number of sections
per pipe as 2 and the Max length of sections as 1,000 m.

Save the geometry as {SIMPLIFIED.geo} and select <File> <Exit>. The pipeline
geometry should now be updated.

Rename PIPE : PIPE-1 to INLET and the last pipe to OUTLET. The case should now
be ready to simulate.

4.2 Steady State Simulations

Perform simulations with inlet flowrates of 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 kg/s. Tabulate the
inlet pressure and total liquid inventory of the line at each flowrate. The parametric
study option should be used for this task. The simulations ENDTIME should be set
to 0, i.e. this simulation will be run as a traditional steady state simulation.

Make a graph of the inlet pressure and the liquid inventory as function of flowrate
(Excel). Try to explain the form of the inlet pressure curve.

Plot the Total Liquid Content (LIQC) and the Pipeline Inlet Pressure (PT) as trends.

4.3 Pigging Simulations

 FA WITH OLGA – GAS CONDENSATE EXERCISE

We shall pig the line with a liquid inventory resulting from running at 80 kg/s.
However, the gas velocity in the pipeline at a flowrate of 80 kg/s is above the
maximum allowable pig velocity. Therefore, the production flowrate should be
reduced to 20 kg/s during the pigging operation to keep the pig velocity below
acceptable limits. The flowrate is to be increased to 80 kg/s thirty minutes after the
pig has arrived.

The pig supplier has provided the following data for the pig;-
• TYPE = SHORT
• INSERTTIME = 90 minutes
• STATICFORCE = 19000 N
• WALLFRICTION = 9500
• LINEARFRIC = 0
• QUADRATICFRIC = 4750
• MASS = 275 kg
• DIAMETER = 19 inches
• LEAKAGEFRACTOR = 0

You are required to determine the surge volume required at the pipeline outlet to
handle the pig generated liquid surge.

HINTS:

The pig launch and

trap positions are
defined trough the
POSITION keyword.
Define a launch
position in the second
section of the first pipe
and a trap position in
the second section of
the last pipe.

Use the PLUG

keyword, (under FA-
model in the Model
View window), to enter the pig data.

The simulation should be run for 60 minutes at a constant flowrate of 80 kg/s. Then
start to reduce the flowrate from 80 to 20 kg/s over 30 minutes and insert the pig
after 90 minutes.

Run a short case to measure the pig velocity. Assume that the pipe length is 70 km
and calculate arrival time for the pig. The flowrate should then be increased to 80
kg/s starting 30 minutes after the pig has arrived at the trap. Now complete the case
with ramp-up from 20 to 80 Kg/s over 30 minutes and simulate for a total period of 24
h.

Calculate the require surge capacity in the slug catcher using the spreadsheet
generated for the Slug Tracking exercise. Assume a drain rate equivalent to 1.2
times the volumetric liquid flowrate at the pipeline outlet for a production flowrate of
100 kg/s, (from the steady state simulations). (The additional capacity represents
the over design inherent in any control valve.)
 FA WITH OLGA – GAS CONDENSATE EXERCISE

Add the variables UPIG and ZZPIG to the TREND plot file.

You should also use the PLOT keyword to allow the hold-up profile in the pipeline to
be visualised during the pigging operation.

4.4 Turndown Ramp-up

You are also required to determine the surge volume generated as a result of a
turndown and subsequent ramp-up operation.

Create a new case and run at a steady state flowrate of 100 kg/s for 1 hour. Reduce
the flowrate to 40 kg/s over a 30 minute period and run for a further 48 hours.
Increase the flowrate again to 100 kg/s over a further 4 hour period and run for more
8 hours. The total simulation time should be 61.5 h. Be sure to adjust plotting
frequencies and DTOUT in the OUTPUT in order to avoid generating large output,
trend and profile plot files.

Determine the size of the liquid surge volume required at the pipeline outlet and
compare with the pigging case? What can be done to reduce the required surge
volume.
 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – WATER EXERCISE

5. THREE PHASE FLOW – WATER MODULE

The water option is used in this case to determine the effect of water accumulation in
the pipeline at a production flowrate of 60 kg/s.

Create a new project under the gas Condensate directory called {Three Phase.opp}.
Open the case {Simplified.opi}, create a duplicate case called {Water 60.opi} and
remove the original case from the project to avoid inadvertent editing. Change the
inlet flowrate to 60 kg/s.

OPTIONS should be revised to reflect a three-phase flow problem.

The WATEROPTIONS FA-

model shall be activated
with the WATERFLASH
ON, the DISPERSIONVISC
ON and the WATERSLIP
ON.

Use the fluid properties file threephase00.tab which you made in the PVTsim
exercise (remember to modify the label in the FILES keyword and change the FLUID
label for the flowpath).

The WATERFRACTION in the SOURCE should be set to 0.05, (i.e. the inlet fluid
contains 5% by weight of free water ignoring any saturated water in the gas phase).

The pressure at the outlet boundary should be reduced to 715 psia.

The integration time should be set to 2.5 days. Make sure plotting frequency is
reasonable.

Add the plotting variable total water content in the flowpath (WATC) to the TREND
plot keyword and water volume fraction (HOLWT) to the PROFILE plot.

Also check "MASS SOURCE INFORMATION" in the output file (*.out).

Save the case with a different name and change TOTALWATERFRACTION to -1 in

the source, i.e. the total amount of water in the inlet fluid is determined from the free
water in the PVT table plus any saturated water in the gas phase. Re-run the case,
compare the results and explain the difference.
 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – TEST EXERCISE

6. YOU GET A FAX – RESULTS WITHIN TWO HOURS?

A fax is attached and you have to respond within 2 hours.

HINTS:

The fluid property table must cover standard conditions

Create the geometry in the Geometry Editor.

Ensure that the following variables are generated for analysis:-

• PROFILE variables: HOL, ID, QLT, QG
• TREND variables: PT at inlet
• TREND variables: QLT, QG at outlet

The temperature option is UGIVEN and the U-value is set in HEATTRANSFER

 FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – TEST EXERCISE

OIL Ltd

Fax
To: Academy of Petroleum Dynamics From:

Fax: + 47 64 84 45 00 Pages: 2

Phone: Date: 5/21/2012

Re: Stability of tie-back pipeline CC:

( Urgent ( For Review ( Please Comment ( Please Reply ( Please Recycle

We are considering a 5.6 mile (9 km) tie-back pipeline in relatively shallow waters to
one of our existing platforms offshore Abu Dhabi. In the initial production phase the
flow is stable, practically single phase oil. Our concern is flow stability as gas break-
through is expected to occur in year 4 of the production. The GOR is expected to go
from 280 to 985 Sft³/Sbl in year 4. We need some preliminary flow stability analysis
to establish whether our concern is justified with a GOR of 985 Sft³/Sbl ( ≈ 175
Sm³/Sm³).

Some data:

Pipeline I.D. = 11.7 in (≈ 0.297 m)

1st stage separator operating pressure = 840 psia (≈ 58 bara)
Flowing Well Head Temperature = 175°F (≈ 79°C )
The sea floor temperature = 57°F (≈ 14°C)
Overall U value = 0.44 Btu/ft²/h/F (≈ 2.5 W/m²/C)
Design production = 18,000 Sbbl/day (≈ 2,862 Sm³/d)
Water cut = 0

Please find attached the reservoir composition (which has a GOR of 1125 Sft³/Sbbl)
and a rough drawing of the pipe profile. A quick reply would be highly appreciated.

Best Regards

Project coordinator
OIL E.P.

Fluid analysis
FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – TEST EXERCISE

Component Mol %
N2 0.69
CO2 0.54
C1 54.85
C2 4.85
C3 2.23
IC4 2.15
NC4 2.44
IC5 2.56
NC5 5.31
C6 5.57
C7+ 18.81

C7+ properties:
Molecular weight = 350 kg/kmol, Density = 870 kg/m3

80 ft (24 m)

295 ft (90 m) 265 ft (81 m)

131 ft (40 m)

5.6 miles (9 km)

FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – SEPARATOR EXERCISE

7. (OPTIONAL) SEPARATORS AND CONTROLLERS

Case Description

In this exercise we will include a separator with controllers to demonstrate how to

combine a pipeline with receiving facilities. We will start from the input file made in
the Gas Condensate exercise with a flowrate of 20 kg/s and make the following
changes:

• Adjust the elevation of the last pipe in the flowline so that it is horizontal.
• Add an additional pipeline section at the end of the pipeline for the separator.
(Hint: This section can have the same diameter as the rest of the pipeline,
but the volume should be equal to the separator volume.) The separator is 8
feet in diameter and 20 ft long.
• Add two 150 m long sections after the section with the separator. These
sections will model the separator gas outlet.
• Add a controller for liquid level control in the separator. The controller should
have an amplification factor of 10, and integral constant of 1E10, and a
derivative constant of 0. It should hold the level at 25% of the vessel height
(Hint: OLGA uses the term HOL to indicate fraction of vessel volume).
• Add a vertical two-phase separator. OLGA asks for a “train” variable, which in
this case is gas, since the geometry we defined downstream of the separator
is the gas outlet. Use 3-inch valves for the oil level control valve and
emergency drain valve. The backpressure for the two valves should be 300
and 200 psia respectively. Use a CD of 1 for the valves. The “high-high”
level is set at 40% of the volume, while the low level switch is set at 15% of
the volume. The emergency dump reset is at 50% of the volume.
• Add trend plot variables for gas flow at the separator gas outlet (GG), liquid
level in the separator (LIQLV), oil mass flow at the separator normal oil drain
and the emergency oil drain (GNODHL and GEODHL). Also add the
controller output (CONTR) for the liquid level controller, which will give the
opening of the oil level control valve.

Run the simulation for 15 hours and observe the liquid level in the separator and the
liquid flow out of the separator to see if the level controller is working correctly.
Check the controller output for the level controller to determine if the sizing of the
liquid drain valve is reasonable.
FLOW ASSURANCE WITH OLGA – SEPARATOR EXERCISE