Radioisotope applications Radioisotope applications -- Flow AssuranceFlow Assurance and and PipelinesPipelinesp ppp pp pp“Ensure the successful and economical flow of the hydrocarbon stream from

the reservoir to the point of sale.”

Australia Oil & Gas 2010Australia Oil & Gas 2010

Matt Wilson Global Subsea Business Development Manager

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IntroductionIntroduction

• Who are we?• Who are we?

• Subsea Environment – determining the unknownFl A & Pi li tif i th k• Flow Assurance & Pipelines – quantifying the unknown

• Future inspection – developing the unknown

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Who are we?Who are we?

• Established by ICI in 1958 Celebrated 50th Anni ersar in 2008• Celebrated 50th Anniversary in 2008.

• Science pioneers of industrial application radioisotope technologies • 300 mainly scientists and engineers based around the world• R&D centred in UK. Active collaboration with leading scientists and world experts to deliver novel and innovative products and solutions• Experts at giving insight onsite - verify real time process conditions andExperts at giving insight onsite verify real time process conditions and equipment integrity• Triple Queen’s Award for UK Enterprise & Innovation

ISO 14001 certified and winners of multiple industry accolades• ISO 14001 certified and winners of multiple industry accolades

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Medical Solutions to Oil & GasMedical Solutions to Oil & Gas

X-ray Fluid ingestion

Medical Application Subsea ApplicationX-Ray Deposit survey, Blockages, Stuck Pigs, Wall thinningTracer Flow Assurance, Total pipeline deposits, Pipeline

diti i t i i i Fl tcondition prior to pigging campaign, Flow measurements inc. slugging studies

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Flow AssuranceFlow Assurance

“Guarantee of Flow”Ensure the successful and economical flow of the hydrocarbon stream from the reservoir to the point of sale.

“Flow Assurance Solution animation”

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Total Pipeline SolutionsTotal Pipeline SolutionsEvaluate Clean Inspect MaintainEvaluate, Clean, Inspect, Maintain

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Total Pipeline SolutionsTotal Pipeline SolutionsMake the right decisionMake the right decision….

• Provide modelling proof – year on yearg p y y• Strategic decisions for Pigging Campaign• Assess sand ‘drop out’ points • Assess wax build ratesAssess wax build rates• Locate deposit regions• Calculate ‘free volume’

• +100Km pipeline• 8” diameter

12% total volume loss• 12% total volume loss

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Flow ProfilingFlow ProfilingFind the problemFind the problem….

Unstable cyclic flow, full to empty

St bl fl fil

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Stable flow profile

Blockages & RestrictionsBlockages & RestrictionsGas/Fluids/Hydrates

Initial Assessment – pipeline scan • 18” Pipeline

Gas/Fluids/Hydrates

18 Pipeline• 27km studied

• Regions of materials,Regions of materials,

of different densities

• Detailed anomalies• Detailed anomalies

• Take appropriate operational actions to pensure flow and increase production

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Blockages & RestrictionsBlockages & RestrictionsAccurate profile establishedAccurate profile established

• Distinct regions of G H dGas, Hydrate, MEG, Water, Condensate- shown as density.

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Blockages & RestrictionsBlockages & RestrictionsBlockages & RestrictionsBlockages & RestrictionsVolume of water established

• Anchor rupture in G li ll d

Volume of water established

Gas line allowed water ingress. • Determine the unknown volumes to allow successful removal.• Results show additional regions of floodingflooding.• Main region at lowpoint but 1.5km slug Flooded Sections

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Pipe In Pipe Annulus IntegrityPipe In Pipe Annulus IntegrityDetermine the annulus contentDetermine the annulus content

• Check post installation integrityinstallation integrity.• Ensure flow assurance properties f i li l thfor pipeline length.• No limit to pipeline length or measurement frequency

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Pipeline Integrity ManagementPipeline Integrity ManagementFirst point of assessment wall thinning

Assess average wall thickness for systems:• Deemed ‘too difficult to pig’

O i li i h i (PU) d

First point of assessment - wall thinning

• On pipe lines with coatings (PU) – no need to remove• Produced Water line erosion (Keyway)

SolutionSolution• Gamma-ray Transmission System on ROV• Measurements taken at 360degree orientation

A t t l illi t ’• Accurate to several millimetre’s• Drive to obtain non-intrusive internal wall thickness measurements• Aim to establish readings +/- 5-10% of wall lossg• Site selection by Bathymetry data (low points)

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ResultsResults

• Calibration of equipment at depth• Live data feed allows onsite results

Minimise essel time• Minimise vessel time• Increases accuracy• Allows accurate process densities to

be obtainedbe obtained• Establish flow profile• Some limitations

• Results show 0.5mm loss in Horizontal orientation

• Results show 2mm loss in Vertical orientation

• Results shown uniform loss

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Reliable and Accurate TrackingReliable and Accurate TrackingEliminating riskEliminating risk

• Provide 100% accurate, safe, reliable pig tracking• Wireless communication• Isotope – doesn’t turn off!• Safe radiation handling• No marine growth removalNo marine growth removal• Burial depth, 0.5m

Lose it find it recover itLose it, find it, recover it….

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Reliable and Accurate TrackingReliable and Accurate TrackingPositioning and ProfilingPositioning and Profiling

• Early Warning system• Accurate positioning +/- 5cm p g• Distinguish pig/plug profiles from other pipeline contents

Lose it, find it, recover it….

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Future Subsea InspectionFuture Subsea InspectionHigh resolution imagesHigh resolution images

Imagine - high resolution images of pipeline contents, walls, corrosion d fl ibl i land flexible pipe layers.

Annular Deposits Bottom Deposits Hydrate plug Hydrate meltingAnnular Deposits Bottom Deposits Hydrate plug melting from the top

Hydrate melting from the side

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Stand V1Stand V1

Tracerco's cutting edge subsea technology ensures that everyday solutions are available for Flow Assurance Pipelineeveryday solutions are available for Flow Assurance, Pipeline Services or Inspection, Repair and Maintenance programs.

Feel free to come along to stand V1 to gain an insight into Tracerco's capabilities and learn more about our innovative

Contact InformationContact Information

technologies.

Contact InformationContact InformationMatt Wilsonmatt.wilson@tracerco.com@+44 (0) 1642 375584

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