Production Optimization of High Pour Point Oil in Lindai Field by Thorough Flow Assurance Enhancement

Abstract

Thorough flow assurance simulation study has been conducted to find the most optimum solution to overcome the congealing problem for production optimization in this field based on technical and economical aspect. Previously, three wells in Lindai field were found shut off for eight hours every night due to congealing caused by temperature drop. Three options were tested using software simulation, laboratory study, and field trial to overcome the congealing problem. The first option was to implement
back flow method which improve the flow assurance by pumping produced water from the gathering station using piston pump back to three wells that regularly effected by congealing problem and flow it back together with the oil production from these wells. The second option was to inject pour point depressant to the wells flow line and perform laboratory test. The last alternative was to install heater to the wells flow line to increase the temperature until above pour point. The observation outcomes for all three selections were gathered. The first outcome was implementing back flow method which only needed minor flow line modification resulted in improved flow assurance because the fluid temperature from these three wells could be maintained above its pour point by continuous flow from the pumped produced water thus preventing the oil from congealing even when ambience temperature drop at night. The second outcome was injecting pour point depressant needed large amount of chemical and continuous injection was needed to reduce the pour point. The last outcome was installing heater to the wells flow line, which in turn, huge power consumption was required to activate the heater continuously. This study concluded that back flow method was the most optimum method to improve flow assurance of high pour point oil from these three wells.