USE OF DRAG REDUCER CHEMICAL IN THE BASS STRAIT CRUDE OIL PRODUCING SYSTEM

Abstract

Esso Australia Ltd (on behalf of the Esso/BHP joint venture) operates a crude oil and natural gas processing system based on the offshore fields in Bass Strait.

Crude oil is discharged from the offshore fields via a 132-km pipeline to the crude stabilization plant at Longford. A 187-km pipeline is then used to transfer stabilized crude to Long Island Point, where the oil is held in storage prior to discharge to Australian refineries and to export.

Without the use of drag reducer chemical, Bass Strait crude production is limited by pipeline hydraulic capacity. Since the last quarter of 1983, drag reducer has been injected at both Halibut platform and Longford as required to meet the demand for crude oil. As a result, daily production rates have been increased by more than ten per cent.

Drag reducer chemical is a long chain polymer which acts to reduce the extent of turbulence in the flowing oil stream. The chemical is highly viscous, and specifically designed gear pumps are required to achieve satisfactory injection into the pipeline systems.