METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PREVENTING CLATHRATE HYDRATE BLOCKAGE FORMATION IN FLOW LINES BY ENHANCING WATER CUT

摘要

The present invention includes a method for inhibiting hydrate formation blockage in a flow line [40] used to transport hydrocarbon containing fluids. Water is added [46] to a hydrocarbon containing fluid to produce a water cut enhanced hydrocarbon containing fluid [40]. Salt may be added to the hydrocarbon containing fluids as well. Hydrate formation blockage is inhibited from forming within the flow line by the addition of the water and/or the salt. A salt dispenser [53] may also be included which is used to increase the salinity of the hydrocarbon containing fluid. The system may further include a water separator [44] to separate hydrocarbons [48] from water [54] which receives fluids from the flow line. The flow line [40], water separator [44] and water injection conduit [46] may cooperate to form a loop wherein water from the flow line may be separated by the water separator and a portion of the separated water [54] is delivered back to the water injection conduit [46] to be reinjected into the flow line [40].