Richards

Hello again readers! I write this short editorial to you on a lovely February day with clear blue skies. Snow is on the ground and the temperature is around –2°C. We’ve a full spread for you this quarter and interesting papers for everyone. I’m not one who likes to read my own writing or hear the sound of my own voice, so without further ado here are the papers for this edition.

OTC 19173/SPE 125129--Submarine Debris Flow Impact on Pipelines: Numerical Modeling of Drag Forces for Mitigation and Control Measures. This paper is relevant to those involved in designing underwater pipelines that cross potentially unstable seabeds where movements caused by storms or tectonics could prove disastrous if the design is not robust enough to withstand the natural forces involved.

OTC 19247/SPE 125130--Developing a Hydrate-Monitoring System. Conventional practice is to dose a given system with sufficient hydrate inhibitor in the hope that hydrates won’t form. Consideration is rarely given to the effectiveness of this technique, and this paper highlights work that has been done to monitor downstream conditions to minimize the use of inhibitors. It’s well worth a read.

OTC 19566/SPE 125131--Paraffin Cleanout in a Single Subsea Flowline Using Xylene. This paper describes a project undertaken to remove a wax plug from a gas condensate pipeline. Wax isn’t normally associated with condensate, but this wax was deposited through overzealous use of glycol to prevent a hydrate blockage!

SPE 111515--Engineered Wetland Design and Applications for On-Site Bioremediation of PHC Groundwater and Wastewater. This idea has been gaining ground over the last few years as environmental concerns impact the industry more and more. It should have widespread impact, especially as the CAPEX and OPEX are probably at least competitive with mechanical methods.

SPE 114081--Study of the Effect of Inhibitor on Erosion-Corrosion in CO₂-Saturated Condition With Sand. This paper will be interesting for those concerned with maintaining older pipelines in serviceable condition. Those involved with the design of corrosion prevention systems will find it useful to help understand how real systems behave after many years in operation.

SPE 114141--Corrosion Management for Aging Pipelines—Experience from the Forties Field. This paper, from one of the North Sea’s oldest operational oil fields, describes the issues identified, the strategy developed, and the actions taken by the operator to ensure that the infield pipelines are fit for service for perhaps another 20 years.

SPE 115938--Investigation of Swirl Flows Applied to the Oil and Gas Industry. This is an interesting paper that describes the validation of some earlier experimental work by the author through CFD modeling of the experimental work. The work concerns investigation of means to avoid or reduce sand erosion at pipe bends. It identifies areas that need further research.

Don’t forget that we are always needing new papers for peer review, so if you have something new to tell everyone, please consider writing a paper for us. The papers are reviewed by our merry band of volunteers who, just like you, are very busy. We are always willing to hear from readers who can review papers for us, even just one a year if that is all you can manage. We would love it if you called or e-mailed SPE to offer your services. I hope that you all have a happy Easter.