Simulation on characteristics of gas-liquid mixed transportation in the gathering pipeline network of Shunbei Oil and Gas Field

The gathering pipeline network in the Shunbei Oil and Gas Field has the characteristics of large gathering radius, high gas-oil ratio, undulating terrain and complex flow patterns, which often result in complex process problems such as large amount of liquid accumulation and slug flow in the low areas of pipeline. Thus, a hydraulic calculation model of gas-liquid mixed transportation pipeline network was established by numerical simulation and corrected with the field data of Shunbei Oil and Gas Field. Thereby, a simulation calculation program was developed for the oil-liquid mixed transportation pipeline network. Further, the simulation and parameter prediction were performed for the gas-liquid mixed transportation characteristics of pipeline network in Shunbei Block-1. The result shows that the error between the simulation results of the hydraulic calculation model and the measured data is basically within ±6%, which satisfies the operation requirements. Besides, the pipeline sections in the network are at a low liquid holdup and in the main pattern of stratified and annular flows. Moreover, recommendations on optimization and protection were put forward for the pipeline sections with great pressure and temperature drop, low transportation efficiency and large liquid accumulation. Generally, the research results could provide strong technical support for the design and safe operation of gas-liquid mixed transportation pipeline network.