Cold Flow Concept Essay

4.4.1.1 Environmental Evaluation of SINTEF-BP Concept

Cold flow concept generally promises positive effect on the environment and humans as it reduces the need for usage of chemicals (Larsen et al. 2003). With cold flow technology, it is also possible to transport the subsea production stream directly to shore, thus elimination of surface piercing structures (for example; production risers, production platforms like tension leg platform (TLP), fixed bottom platform, and Spars) that may influence the environment is possible as well. Environment can be affected if hurricanes occur and destroy the production risers which can result in pollution. Furthermore, this can result in the reduction in the number of people needed for deepwater offshore operations and less disruption of wildlife (Larsen et al. 2003).

However, at the end of the subsea transportation to shore, the hydrate slurry needs to be melted back to free water and hydrocarbons. This requires a large usage of energy and CO2 will be evolved in the process and this must be dealt with onshore (Tvedt 2005).

4.4.1.2 Economical Evaluation of SINTEF-BP Concept

Cold flow technology (CFT) offers high cost savings when compared to other conventional or traditional solutions like chemical injection and insulations to flow assurance

It has some similarities with the SINTEF concept. This concept’s solution is based on forming small hydrate particles from an associated gas and water before they enter the pipeline. The hydrate will then flow with oil in a three-phase flow from there to shore (production site) together with surplus gas (Gudmundsson 2002). This will eliminate the problems of hydrate and wax deposit in the pipeline in a steady state. In this concept, the production stream has to be cooled at the heat exchanger unit, and hydrates created, before it reaches the