Speciality chemical company Clariant has deployed its low-dosage hydrate inhibitor, HYTREAT ECO, across offshore fields in the UK and Norway. The technology complies with strict OSPAR regulations while ensuring flow assurance in subsea production systems.
Operators typically rely on high volumes of methanol or monoethylene glycol to prevent hydrate blockages. However, Clariant's solution required dosage rates of just 1% to 2% by volume during North Sea trials, significantly lowering chemical consumption and logistical requirements.
In the UK, the system replaced methanol injection at a gas condensate field under severe subcooling. Additionally, its use at a mature Norwegian asset enabled a well restart after a 24-hour shut-in.
Head of Clariant Oil Services George Nunes stated, 'As operators work to maximise production from existing offshore assets, technologies that improve both operational efficiency and environmental performance are becoming increasingly important.'
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