Lecture Notes on Hydroflight and Related Technologies

Introduction

• Hydroflight: Abbreviation of hydrate flow assurance consulting and technology.
• Background:
  • BSc in Chemical Engineering.
  • Experience as a university lecturer and production engineer in Iran.
  • Joined Heriot-Watt University in 1991 as a PhD student and graduated in 1995.
  • Achieved roles of lecturer (1997), senior lecturer (2001), and professor (2003).
  • Formed Hydroflight in 2006 after acquiring a company registered in 2005.

Company Background and Achievements

• Major achievement: Played a key role in Caterbots winning the Queen's Anniversary Award in 2015.
• Formation of Fact Green Solutions to focus on green energy and environmental sustainability.
• Hydroflight is a spin-off from Heriot-Watt University, maintaining a minority share (24%) from the university.

Research and Development History

• PVT research started in 1978; gas hydrate research in 1986.
• Established centers for gastroenterology research (2001) and for insurance research (2007).
• Focused on joint industry projects and had a strong demand from the industry for consultancy services.

Key Topics Covered

Hydrates

• Definition: Ice-like components formed by water and suitable size molecules at low temperatures and high pressures.
• Hydrate Formation: Can block pipelines; understanding hydrates is crucial for flow assurance.

Flow Assurance

• Goal: Ensure uninterrupted and cost-effective production from reservoir to end-user.
• Areas covered: Hydrates, wax, asphalt, scaling, corrosion.

PVT and Reservoir Properties

• Understanding the behavior of water-hydrocarbon systems under varying pressures and temperatures.
• Importance of accurate modeling to predict potential issues in production.
• Developments in predictive models for hydrate behavior and phase envelope tuning.

Consultancy and Training

• Provide consultancy services, technical advice, and experimental facilities.
• Training courses offered: Open courses, in-house training, and hands-on workshops on various topics including gas writing, wax, and asphalt.

Software Development

• Hydroflight has developed software for analyzing hydrate, wax, and asphalt properties.
• Software ranked best by independent evaluations.
• Available versions include academic discounts and trial options.

Innovations and Technologies

• Hydro check monitor: For detecting hydrate phase boundaries.
• Hydrosense: For early detection of hydrate formation.
• Kinetic hydrate inhibitors: Developed to enhance efficiency and environmental sustainability; techniques for recovery and reuse.
• Use of piezoelectric materials for detecting solid deposition.

Environmental Focus

• Innovations aim to improve production while minimizing contamination and environmental impact.
• Methanol injection techniques extended reservoir life significantly.

Conclusion

• Hydroflight plays a pivotal role in advancing technology in the oil and gas sector, focusing on both consultancy and innovative solutions for flow assurance and environmental sustainability.
• The company’s achievements highlight the integration of academic research with practical industry applications.