ASETUBOBE TAMUNOSIKI

DE.2008/1127

outline
Definition of gas hydrates
Gas Hydrate forming conditions
Serious effects of gas hydrate in drilling operations

Gas hydrate remedies

Gas hydrate prevention

Gas Hydrate definition

Natural gas hydrates are ice-like structures composed

of water and natural gas molecules under favourable

conditions of high pressure and low temperature.

Gas Hydrate forming conditions

Natural gas at below its water dew point with liquid

water present
Temperatures below the hydrate formation
temperature for the pressure and gas comp. considered
High operating pressures that increase the hydrate
formation temperature.
High velocity or agitation through piping or
equipment.
Presence of a seed crystal of hydrate.
Presence of 2 S or C2

Serious effects of gas hydrates in

drilling operations
Plugging of choke and kill lines
Formation of a plug at or below BOP, preventing

monitoring of pressures below BOP

Plugging tubing, down hole tools and wire line during
DST operation.
Free water up with hydrates can cause thickening of
the mud.

Gas Hydrate: Remedies

Reduce pressure
Increase temperature
Kinetic inhibition

Chemical(thermodynamics) inhibition

Gas Hydrate : Prevention

Hydrate formation can be prevented by
Heating the cold unprocessed well stream
By injection of inhibitors

Maintain high temperature

Maintain low pressure

THANK YOU