Published:
A new research study will focus on pipeline coatings in the oil and gas industry - with the aim of advancing sector understanding on the potential flow assurance benefits of internal coatings.
The research is in partnership with Heriot-Watt University, The Oil & Gas Technology Centre (OGTC) and The Oil & Gas Innovation Centre (OGIC) and will be led by Crondall Energy's in-house Flow Assurance team in Aberdeen.
The methodology for the project will consist of a three tiered approach. Initially data mining will be used to exploit existing published data coupled with expert knowledge to develop computational models of the polymeric coating behaviour, which will be analysed and evaluated in the subsequent experimental phase.
This will be followed by the experimental phase which will focus on correlating wax deposition behaviour with coating surface parameters and flow characteristics. These experiments will use in-situ monitoring of the coatings under operating conditions. The final stage of the project will establish potential alternative polymer materials for improved internal coatings.