On Low Flow Operation in Wei-Jing Pipeline

With the approaching of the late production period of the oilfields in east part of China, the throughput rate of Wei-Jing (Weigang-Jingmen) Pipeline decreases progressively year after year, which requires an economical and rational transport mode. The oil transportation with depressant has cut down the requirement of inlet temperature to stations, and reached the lowest throughput rate of 1.35 mt/a with two pumps and two boilers runing in one station; Intermittent transportation is another way to flow reduction. According to the relavent regulations specified by Pipeline Bureau, Wei-Jing Pipeline operation with intermittent transportation can shut down 67 times with the lowest throughput rate of 1.35 mt/a; For lower rate requirement, forward and reverse pumping is a rational alternative. The economical comparisons made among these three methods indicate that, with advanced equipment and instruments and cooperation from refinary, the choice shall be intermittent transportation for a throughput rate ranging from 1.68 to 1.35 mt/a and forward-reverse pumping for a rate lower than 1.35 mt/a. If the cost of depressant can be cut down, transport with depressant will be a more economic choice. Transport with depressant is a promising method.