Abstract
The use of a polymeric drag reducer to increase the flow capacity of crude oil pipelines is described in this paper. The first commercial drag reducer application began in July 1979, in the Trans Alaska Pipeline. By 1980, flow through the TAPS line had increased to the 1.5 million bbl/D (9,940 m3/h) level. Approximately 200,000 bbl/D (1,300 m3/h) of this throughput was a direct result of injecting a drag reducing additive. In 1981, drag reducers continue to contribute to the TAPS throughput.
In commercial operations, a drag reducer must be shear stable during line flow and must be effective at very low concentrations. In addition, the treated crude must not cause any downstream refining problems. CDR™ Drag Reducer meets these requirments and has proven to be a viable means of increasing pipeline flow rates.
Recent modifications of the polymeric additive have raised drag reducer performance levels. New performance data from 8, 12, and 48-inch diameter pipelines are discussed. Offshore production operations would clearly benefit from improved performance. Shipping and handling of products present a special problem in onshore operations … particularly in periods with bad weather. Reducing the required storage will proportionally reduce platform space and weight requirements.
