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51318-10627-Applying Higher C-Values in API RP 14E Erosion Velocity Calculations For Gas Condensate Wells – A Case Study

Successful trials on enhancing gas well threshold velocity beyond those recommended by API RP 14E.

Product Number: 51318-10627-SG
Author: Hamed Mansoori
Publication Date: 2018
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This paper presents the results of an Iranian Operator's successful trials on enhancing gas well threshold velocity beyond those recommended by API RP 14E. The API RP standard proposes recommendations on limiting velocity in tubing and pipelines to avoid or mitigate damage associated with erosion and/or corrosion. In this Standard, an empirical formula is used to estimate the threshold (erosion) velocity, beyond which damage would be expected to pipeline networks. In the current work, an oil operator launched field trials for a safe increase in the threshold velocity of its gas condensate wells. For those wells whose current production potentials were higher than anticipated, the recommendations in API RP 14E on erosion velocity limits were a considerable obstacle to increased production rates. For a certain period of time, the selected wells were produced at a higher rate and then the tubing and topside facilities were examined carefully using a combination of surface and downhole erosion/corrosion monitoring tools. New higher values for the C-factor in the API RP 14E erosion velocity calculation were achieved for selected wells and for the future development of the studied field. This work demonstrated the use of the new C-values in the API RP erosion velocity calculation and their verification by evaluation of field data.

Keywords: API RP 14E, erosion velocity, production tubing, corrosion, gas well.

This paper presents the results of an Iranian Operator's successful trials on enhancing gas well threshold velocity beyond those recommended by API RP 14E. The API RP standard proposes recommendations on limiting velocity in tubing and pipelines to avoid or mitigate damage associated with erosion and/or corrosion. In this Standard, an empirical formula is used to estimate the threshold (erosion) velocity, beyond which damage would be expected to pipeline networks. In the current work, an oil operator launched field trials for a safe increase in the threshold velocity of its gas condensate wells. For those wells whose current production potentials were higher than anticipated, the recommendations in API RP 14E on erosion velocity limits were a considerable obstacle to increased production rates. For a certain period of time, the selected wells were produced at a higher rate and then the tubing and topside facilities were examined carefully using a combination of surface and downhole erosion/corrosion monitoring tools. New higher values for the C-factor in the API RP 14E erosion velocity calculation were achieved for selected wells and for the future development of the studied field. This work demonstrated the use of the new C-values in the API RP erosion velocity calculation and their verification by evaluation of field data.

Keywords: API RP 14E, erosion velocity, production tubing, corrosion, gas well.

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