Threat · Flow Assurance
Gas Hydrates
Ice like solids that form when free water and natural gas combine at high pressure and low temperature.
What it does
They can form plugs tens or hundreds of meters long; shut in gas wells that make some water are especially prone. They are prevented by heating the gas, drying it, or injecting alcohol, glycol or low dosage inhibitors.
Basics
| Needs | Free water, natural gas, high pressure, low temperature |
| Risky | Shut in gas wells with some water |
| Prevention | Heating, dehydration, alcohol or glycol, low dosage inhibitors |
| Removal | Reduce pressure on the plug |
Common failures
- Well or flowline blocked by a hydrate plug
Troubleshooting
- Symptom
- Flow stops after a cold shut in
- Likely cause
- Hydrate plug
- What to check
- Reduce the pressure on the plug and use an inhibitor before restarting