Abstract
The operating experiences for more than 10 years of hydrate and wax
management of pipelines by direct electrical heating have proved high
reliability, robustness and operating simplicity. The system is in use for
pipelines ranging up to 40 km length and water depths down to approx.
500 m. As the oil and gas industry is moving towards deeper water and
longer transport distances, electrical heating becomes even more
attractive. In deeper waters plug removal by depressurization may be
impossible. Cost and weight are important issues when DEH are being
adapted for deep water installations. In general increasing the system
power frequency reduces the size and weight of electrical equipment
and higher frequencies are now being addressed in the new
development programme of DEH for deep water fields.
management of pipelines by direct electrical heating have proved high
reliability, robustness and operating simplicity. The system is in use for
pipelines ranging up to 40 km length and water depths down to approx.
500 m. As the oil and gas industry is moving towards deeper water and
longer transport distances, electrical heating becomes even more
attractive. In deeper waters plug removal by depressurization may be
impossible. Cost and weight are important issues when DEH are being
adapted for deep water installations. In general increasing the system
power frequency reduces the size and weight of electrical equipment
and higher frequencies are now being addressed in the new
development programme of DEH for deep water fields.