Improved Understanding of Flow Assurance for CO2 Transport and Injection

Abstract

This article presents the results of a research project on various technical aspects of CO2 flow assurance for pipeline and injection systems. The focus is on an experimental study of CO2 two-phase flow. The experiments include: steady-state single- and two-phase flow in a pipe with various inclinations, phase change process, shut-in and restart processes, fluid hammer effect, depressurization, and flow through a valve or a choke. This work gives improved understanding of the applicability of existing flow assurance tools, developed for oil & gas production, to CO2 transport and injection systems.

Keywords: CO2 two-phase flow; CO2 flow regime; Fluid hammer, Shut-in and restart