Method of inhibiting hydrate formation

摘要

The present invention provides a method of inhibiting formation of solid hydrates in a conduit used to contain a flowing, water-containing hydrocarbon, which method comprises introducing into said hydrocarbon in said conduit a gas which raises the pressure threshold for hydrate formation for said water-containing hydrocarbon, said gas being introduced in a manner which causes it to travel along at least part of said conduit in the direction of hydrocarbon flow.