Publications

In surface production systems, it is often more economical to build a gathering station or export station where there are many fields separated and in different remote locations. Crude oil from the field is transported to a gathering station or export station by pipeline. Thus, the pipeline is part of the network configuration rather than just being a single line. The problem may arise in a paraffinic oil transmission pipeline network where the temperature of oil drops below its pour point. In this scenario the oil is lumpy before it reaches its destination as a result of heat transference. Heater systems are normally installed in several parts of the pipeline to maintain oil temperature above its pour point. In this study, a model and simulation tool has been developed for the paraffinic oil transmission pipeline network. The model can be used to predict pressure and temperature loss in the transmission pipeline network using the Newton - Raphson method. Calculations of oil pressure and temperature at the nodes are performed using the pressure and mass rate balance method. The friction factor model by Cole Brooke is used in this study and it is also solved by using the Newton-Raphson method. A case study using hypothetical data is simulated for several pipe diameters. Outputs of the simulation are then determined as to the optimum design for pipe diameter, pump and heater power, and there location based on the economic assessments developed in this study. The results show that the model can be used to obtain an optimum design for a paraffinic oil transmission pipeline network.Keywords: transmission pipeline network, paraffinic oil, Newton-Raphson methods, pressure and mass rate balance, optimum design.