Defining Flow Simulation Method For Existing Zulu Multiphase Pipelines Operated in Turndown Rate

IPA18-137-F
PROCEEDINGS, INDONESIAN PETROLEUM ASSOCIATION

Forty-Second Annual Convention & Exhibition, May 2018
DEFINING FLOW SIMULATION METHOD FOR EXISTING ZULU MULTIPHASE PIPELINES

OPERATED IN TURNDOWN RATE
Putri Dwithasari*
Dian Nurlita Kusuma*
Harris Grenaldi Panaiputra*
Arif Rakhmawan*
ABSTRACT platforms are producing: ZUA, ZUB, ZUD and

ZUG. Some platforms are also functioning as a
PHE ONWJ intends to increase production from junction. Produced fluid from unmanned platform
Zulu area by conducting Redevelopment Project. is transported to ZUJ1 through 12” multiphase
The project consists of mainly additional infill wells subsea pipelines. Liquid are then separated at ZUJ1
in existing offshore platforms. The produced fluids prior exported to Central Station via Papa flow
will be commingled with current production and station, while separated gas is currently used as fuel
transported to main station (ZUJ1) through existing for power generation. Simplified Zulu network
multiphase subsea pipelines. The objective of this schematic can be seen in Figure 2.
research is to identify the best method of flow
simulation for the pipelines, which are currently Zulu produced fluid is having specific characteristic
operated below turndown rate so that they can compared to other PHE ONWJ area fluid, which
accommodate the future production increment up to are:
14000 BOPD of waxy, sandy, and heavy crude oil
from current production 3,000 BOPD. The  Heavy crude (API 20),
methodology is by having comparison of PIPESIM  Waxy with 1 – 15% wax weight and WAT >
and OLGA Flow Simulation Software against the 86 degF
actual field data recording. Simulation result and  Sand production history
analysis have concluded that PIPESIM is able to  Low pour point
shorten the simulation time but giving distinct
results. PIPESIM identifies unstable flow regime That is one of the reasons ESP is used to produce
but indicated that internal diameter of pipeline is such fluid. Chemical are also injected in platforms
significantly decreased while pipeline is reported (viscosity reducer in ZUJ1 and pour point dispersant
clean from latest pigging. The more rigorous in unmanned platforms) to smoothen fluid
modelling in OLGA software is able to fully capture transportation. In current condition, it is observed
pipeline behavior hence able to benchmark actual that backpressure fluctuation due to slug is
condition. Thus OLGA Software is best used for happened in the pipeline. However, ESP discharge
validation of existing pipelines in turndown rate pressure can still handle the maximum
which then with validated pipeline condition from backpressure, however it is rather difficult to
OLGA, PIPESIM is able to be used for adequacy validate pipeline Internal Diameter (ID) for future
check of future production rate since it is located far simulation purpose with this slug issue.
above the turndown rate.
Zulu redevelopment project is basically increasing
INTRODUCTION production by conducting additional infill wells in
existing platforms as stated in Zulu POFD (Prima et
Zulu is part of PHE ONWJ west asset, which al, 2016). Infill well fluid will be commingled with
located above Kepulauan Seribu conservative area current production through existing installation
as shown in Figure 1 indicated by red box. without any modification in the pipeline. Thus, it is
important to validate existing pipeline ID in order to
It is consist of eight unmanned offshore platforms check future capacity.
and a main station namely ZUJ1 as a process
platform which connected to living quarter (ZLQ) The objective of this study is to identify the best
by bridge. From those offshore platforms, only 4 method of flow simulation for pipelines which are
* Pertamina Hulu Energi ONWJ

currently operated in slug regime (below turndown o Identifies unstable flow regime caused by
rate) so that they can accommodate the future slug.
production increment up to 14,000 BOPD of waxy,
sandy, and heavy crude oil from current production o Indicates that pipeline internal diameter is
3000 BOPD. significantly decreased while pipeline is
reported clean from latest pigging. This is
METHODS not match with actual data. Detail can be
seen in Table-1.
 Pipeline network hydraulic simulation
methodology can be seen in Figure 3. In general, PIPESIM is able to shorten the
simulation time but giving distinct results
 Pipeline network model is build and then compared to actual data.
validated using pipeline hydraulic software
 OLGA Simulation
 Validation comparison between steady state Pipeline benchmarking is first performed for
software (PIPESIM) and transient state software ZUG – ZUJ1 pipeline which in actual is clean
(OLGA) against the actual field data recording based on pigging history by using data as seen
and pigging history record (only for ZUG – in Figure 4 (Dwithasari and Diinillah, 2015).
ZUJ1 pipeline) Detail OLGA validation result for this pipeline
can be seen in Figure 5 (after Dwithasari et. al,
 Design basis for each software is based on 2015) with summary as follow:
actual operation data on active pipelines,
however data input to simulation depends on o Slug regime along ZUG – ZUJ1 pipeline is
software requirement: confirmed by OLGA
o PIPESIM: spot data of pressure mapping o Real maximum pressure from OLGA is 110
and flowrate psig, while actual pressure data from record
(80 psig) is located in graph shoulder area.
o OLGA: limited recordable pressure data This discrepancy might be caused by record
(taken every 3 hours in average) with time duration of 3 hours. However, from
average flowrate (liquid, GOR & water cut) dedicated barton chart record, it is
and fact that slug are experienced in ZUJ1 confirmed that maximum pressure in ZUG
production header. is reaching 110 psig.
 Pipeline network is built by inputting pipeline o ZUG – ZUJ1 pipeline ID is confirmed

Internal Diameter (ID), roughness, bathymetry, 11.75 inch as per design. High backpressure
riser height, water depth and environmental data to 110 psig is due to slug issue, not due to
(wind speed, ambient temperature, etc) ID decrement as indicated by PIPESIM.
 Adjustment of roughness and internal diameter In general, OLGA is able to fully capture
parameter are made in simulation in order to pipeline behavior hence able to benchmark
match the actual data. Once it is matched, those actual condition.
parameters will be considered as validation
parameters. With the same analogy, simulation is performed
for other active pipelines, with validation result
 Forecast simulation is run by using validated as follow:
pipeline ID and forecast flowrate
o ZUD – ZUJ1 pipeline size is reduced to
10.75” ID
RESULTS
o ZUA – ZUD pipeline size is reduced to
Pipeline network simulation is validated by using 10.75”
two softwares as listed with different results as
follow: To be noted that validation process is very
important to represent actual pipeline condition and
 PIPESIM Simulation possible bottleneck in existing or even in future
condition. Hence, further analysis and
recommendation can be more specific and solve the o Below turndown area itself is a dynamic
right issue. phenomenon, not a steady state
o PIPESIM will indicates un-correct
PIPESIM is then utilized to simulate hydraulic pipeline parameter result
backpressure using OLGA validated ID for future
production rate without any distinction since the • OLGA (transient state software) is able to
flowrate located far above the turndown rate. Thus, fully capture pipeline behavior in multiphase
resulting infill wells production incremental up to pipeline below turndown area. However,
14,000 BOPD can be comingled through existing longer simulation duration is required since it
pipeline without any significant bottleneck since will give detail simulation and analysis.
simulated backpressure are still below ESP
discharge pressure. • PIPESIM is recommended to be used in
multiphase pipeline above turndown area. It is
CONCLUSIONS suitable for future adequacy check with high
flowrate and many scenarios.
Summary of simulation and analysis are:
• Turndown rate is an infliction point of REFERENCES

backpressure and liquid hold up in multiphase
pipeline. Pipeline regime is changing (i.e Dwithasari, P., and Diinillah, F: Zulu
slugging) in below turndown rate area. Detail Redevelopment Workshop (presentation),
can be seen in Figure 6 (Dwithasari and company document, Dec 2015
Diinillah, 2015). It is very important to
understand whether the simulated condition is Dwithasari, P., Kusuma N. D. et al: Zulu
below or above the turndown point. This will Redevelopment – Flow Assurance Study Report,
decide which software to be used. company document, Dec 2015.
• PIPESIM (steady state software) is not Prima, M. I., Sakti, C. A. P., Ilona, S., Dwithasari,
recommended to be used in multiphase below P., Diinillah, F., Rahmadona, D., et al: POFD
turndown area, due to this specific reasons: Pengembangan Lapangan Zulu, 2016
TABLE 1
PIPESIM SIMULATION RESULT

Figure 1 - Zulu - PHE ONWJ Area Map
Figure 2 - Simplified Zulu Network Schematic
Figure 3 - Methodology of Hydraulic Simulation

Figure 4 - Olga Validation Data (Dwithasari and Diinillah, 2015)
Figure 5 - Olga Validation Result for ZUG – ZUJ1 Pipeline (after Dwithasari et al, 2015)
Figure 6 - Turndown Rate Graph (Dwithasari and Diinillah, 2015)

Defining Flow Simulation Method For Existing Zulu Multiphase Pipelines Operated in Turndown Rate

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Defining Flow Simulation Method For Existing Zulu Multiphase Pipelines Operated in Turndown Rate

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Defining Flow Simulation Method For Existing Zulu Multiphase Pipelines Operated in Turndown Rate

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

IPA18-137-F

PROCEEDINGS, INDONESIAN PETROLEUM ASSOCIATION

DEFINING FLOW SIMULATION METHOD FOR EXISTING ZULU MULTIPHASE PIPELINES

ABSTRACT platforms are producing: ZUA, ZUB, ZUD and

* Pertamina Hulu Energi ONWJ

 Pipeline network is built by inputting pipeline o ZUG – ZUJ1 pipeline ID is confirmed

• Turndown rate is an infliction point of REFERENCES

PIPESIM SIMULATION RESULT

Figure 3 - Methodology of Hydraulic Simulation

You might also like