Study on flow characteristics of Yanchang Dingjing pipeline transporting heated waxy crude oil

Author of the article:FU Jianyang1, LI Xiaoming1, WANG Jing2, DANG Xinlong3, WANG Shuai3,4

Author's Workplace： 1. Hangzhou Urban & Rural Construction Design Institute Co., Ltd., Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310009, China; 2. CPECC Southwest Company, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China; 3. School of Petroleum Engineering and Environmental Engineering, Yan'an University, Yan'an, Shaanxi, 716000, China; 4. Yan'an Oil and Gas Efficient Pipeline Transportation and Flow Assurance Engineering Technology Research Center, Yan'an, Shaanxi, 716000, China

Key Words：Waxy crude oil; Transportation after heating; Temperature drop; Flow characteristics

Abstract： In view of the operation problem of frequent pigging cycle of Dingjing waxy crude oil pipeline, taking the waxy crude oil in Yanchang Oilfield as the research candidate, the best heat treatment temperature and rheological characteristics were determined by measuring its crude oil composition, physical properties and rheological properties through experimental analysis. In order to accurately analyze the temperature drop and pressure drop of the pipeline, the combination of experiment and theoretical analysis was carried out for this research, taking the optimum heat treatment temperature as the initial station pipeline transportation temperature for analysis. The research shows that the optimal heat treatment temperature of crude oil is 75℃, the wax precipitation point is 51℃, and the abnormal point is 32℃. The temperature drop and pressure drop characteristics of the whole pipeline after heat treatment are obtained, and the optimal heat treatment temperature of pipeline transportation and the flow characteristics of pipeline transportation under the optimal heat treatment temperature are determined, providing experimental support and scientific basis for the safe and reliable operation of waxy crude oil pipeline.