Starting in 1987, a natural gas liquids and enhanced oil recovery project in the Sadlerochit Reservoir at Prudhoe Bay will produce up to 50,000 barrels per day of natural gas liquids (NGL). The Prudhoe Bay Unit (PBU), owner of the Prudhoe Bay oilfield, plans to transport this NGL through the Trans-Alaska pipeline System (TAPS). The NGL stream must be blended into the PBU crude oil stream prior to delivery to TAPS. Also, when delivered to TAPS, the blend must meet rigorous vapor pressure specifications.

This paper discusses the physical properties of the NGL/crude blend, and their effect on transportation of the blend. Furthermore, it reviews available literature, industry experience with blending similar streams, and the various blending options examined for Prudhoe Bay.

Keywords:
enhanced recovery, ngl, crude, maruyama, prudhoe bay, operation, dual jet, pipe diameter, variation, injection
Subjects:
Processing Systems and Design, Improved and Enhanced Recovery
Copyright 1985, Society of Petroleum Engineers
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