Published June 2012

Study of impact of flow speed of multi-phased mixture on clog formation in compressor well pipes

Z.A. Babayeva

T. M. Mammadov

H.N. Babirov

Impact of flow speed of multi component mixture in compressor well riser on clog formation in first range pipes was studied in special facility. Triple and quadric-phased mixtures were used in study as multi component mixture. Composition of triple phased mixture consisted of gas-produced water, solid phase, and quadric-phased mixture consisted of gas-produced water-oil and solid phase. Oils with Newton and non-newton properties, quartz sand with 0.851.2 mm diameter and 3 % density in liquid phase and coarse produced water was used during the study. Flow speed of multi phase system on riser was 25, 35, 45, 55, 65, 75, 85, 95, 105, 115, 125 and 135 cm/s and circulation period of mixture was 10-12 hours in the study. It was defined that clog formation occurs at compressor well first range pipes when the flow speed of triple phased mixture is 25135 cm/s. It was found that when about 30 % oil with newton property was added to water phase in the content of triple phased mixture, clog is formed in tail section of first range pipes during 12 hours circulation period of resulting quadric-phased mixture. When the amount of oily phase in quadric-phased mixture is more than 50 %, this is observed by decrease of structural viscosity of system which causes settling of sand in first range pipes as a result. It was defined that increase of flow speed of multi component mixture along lift under the same condition up to 105 cm/s decreases clog formation and further increase of flow speed of the mixture accelerates clog formation in tail section of first range pipes. Oil model with non-newton property was made with paraffin and resin basis. It was found that oils with the same rheological properties under the same condition reduces clog formation in relation to paraffin based, tar based oil from non-newton oils and clog formation is reduced with increase of rheological properties of system. It was defined that when flow speed of multi phased mixture is 8595 cm/s under the same condition clog formation in compressor well first range pipes is in low level. However, further increase of flow speed of multi component mixture on riser reduces clog formation in first range pipes of compressor well.