Flow Assurance

Deepwater hydrate detection and sizing

The formation of hydrates poses a significant flow assurance concern for operators of subsea pipelines, especially those dedicated to gas transport. The accumulation of hydrates along the inner surface of the pipeline can significantly impede flow or, in severe cases, entirely obstruct the pipeline. Remediation of plugged lines can be challenging and costly.

TSC Subsea has introduced a groundbreaking solution, the award-winning ART vPush™, which marks an industry first in acoustic deepwater hydrate detection, delivering rapid inspection without compromising detection capability or sizing accuracy.

Subsea Pipeline Flow Assurance

One of the key challenges in addressing hydrate blockages lies in effectively characterising the plug itself – understanding its location and the extent of the obstruction it causes.

An example of TSC Subsea capabilities: A client encountered a flow assurance issue with a hydrate blockage in a semi-buried 12 km gas pipeline situated in one of their West African fields. Tasked with determining the location and assessing the nature of the blockage, TSC Subsea mobilised its flow assurance scanner to enable the client to initiate remedial actions promptly.

vpush hydrate detection

External Hydrate Detection Scanner

ART vPush

TSC Subsea’s Acoustic Resonance Technology (ART) has already demonstrated proficiency in rapidly measuring wall thickness even through thick subsea coatings. In preliminary research and development efforts, ART could also be deployed to detect hydrate formations within a pipeline.

In response to this need, TSC Subsea developed the ART vPush™. This innovative system, deployed via remotely operated vehicles (ROV), is propelled along the upper surface of the subsea pipeline, swiftly collecting data from four sensors in real time. This approach allows for the rapid detection of hydrates as quickly as the ROV can travel the span of the pipeline.

Flow Assurance Hydrate Detection Technology

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Case Studies

Rapid Hydrate Plug Detection Solution for Subsea Pipelines.

Introduction In the deep waters off the coast of Angola, a major offshore operator faced a significant flow assurance issue with one of its 12-inch gas gathering flowlines. The suspected culprit? Hydrate plug. Hydrate formation is a major flow assurance concern for...

Rapid Hydrate Plug Detection Solution for Subsea Pipelines.

Introduction In the deep waters off the coast of Angola, a major offshore operator faced a significant flow assurance issue with one of its 12-inch gas gathering flowlines. The suspected culprit? Hydrate plug. Hydrate formation is a major flow assurance concern for...

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Rapid Hydrate Plug Detection Solution for Subsea Pipelines.

Rapid Hydrate Plug Detection Solution for Subsea Pipelines.

Introduction In the deep waters off the coast of Angola, a major offshore operator faced a significant flow assurance issue with one of its 12-inch gas gathering flowlines. The suspected culprit? Hydrate plug. Hydrate formation is a major flow assurance concern for...

Smooth Sailing with ACFM Crack Assessment on Cargo Ship Propellers.

Smooth Sailing with ACFM Crack Assessment on Cargo Ship Propellers.

The Archon Gabriel Bulk Carrier was navigating the cold waters of the Gulf of Finland. The harsh sea conditions, laden with sea ice, posed significant navigational challenges and resulted in the ship’s 6-meter diameter bronze propeller suffering ice damage. Given the...

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