Practice in mechanical method to remove hydrate blockage of gas pipeline

For the wet gas gathering process used in Sulige Gasfield, research and comparison are carried out on several control methods of hydrate, including heating methods, stepping throttling, thermodynamic inhibitors injection, and mechanical removal methods. The results from site test indicated that on the basis of fully mastering hydrate frozen blockage time laws, the mechanical method can avoid blocking and effectively remove the hydrates and prevent the frozen blocks, with advantages such as directness, thoroughness, being easily operable, being pollution-free, and economic value. Based on the law of hydrate formation in pipeline operations, hydrate control methods based on mechanical methods are proposed, and recommendations on the process transform are made.