Challenges and opportunities for equation-based hydrates prediction

Gas hydrates may form in any location where free gas, water, and the appropriate temperature and pressure exist, such as in natural gas production, transportation and processing systems. Hydrates may form and partially or completely constrict the gas flowrate in the well bottom zone of a layer; in the fountain tubing column or the annular space of a well bore; in well top pipes or near well top equipment; in field pipelines and installations; in transport gas pipelines and product pipelines; or in underground gas storage systems. FIG. 1. Comparison of guest molecule sizes and cavities occupied.3  The cost to the hydrocarbon processing industry to mitigate the formation of