2.8 Gas Hydrates Challenge
Gas hydrates is a major flow assurance challenge in long distance multiphase flow line. For better understanding of this phenomenon, gas hydrate would be looked at under the following headings:
1. A brief history of Natural gas,
2. The components of natural gas,
3. A brief history of natural gas hydrates,
4. The Basic structure of gas hydrates, and the conditions that are necessary for hydrates formation,
5. Hydrate formation and growth in pipeline.
2.8.2 A Brief History of Natural Gas:
The term natural gas refers to hydrocarbon-rich gas; it is a gaseous fossil fuel that is found in oil fields, natural gas fields, and coal beds (Carroll, 2010; Speight, 2007). The discovery of natural gas dates from ancient times in the Middle East. Thousands of years ago, it was noticed that natural gas seeps ignited by lightning created burning springs. In Persia, Greece, or India, people built temples around these “eternal flames” for their religious practices. However, the energy value of natural gas was not recognized until approximately 900 BC in China, and
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In Europe, natural gas was unknown until it was discovered in Great Britain in 1659, although it was not commercialized until about 1790. In 1816, Baltimore, Maryland used this type of manufactured natural gas to become the first city in the United States to light its streets with gas. Natural gas was discovered and identified in America as early as 1626, when French explorers discovered natives igniting gases that were seeping into and around Lake Erie. In 1821, William Hart, considered as America’s father of natural gas, dug the first successful natural gas well in the U.S. in Fredonia, New York. Eventually, the Fredonia Gas Light Company was formed, becoming the first American natural gas distribution company (Speight,