Natural gas hydrates are fascinating compounds. In the production and processing of natural gas they are problematic, well known for plugging the pipes and damaging process equipment, which is the one of the biggest problems for the gas processing companies across the world. On the other hand, on the ocean bottom it is thought that vast amounts of hydrocarbons are trapped in these solid components, waiting for technically feasible means of production. Finally, hydrates have always been an academic curiosity. New aspects of hydrates are discovered annually and new theories must replace old ones. In 1811 Sir Humphry Davy, who gained fame for both his research on the methane-laden atmospheres in British coalmines and his synthesis of various new elements and compounds, witnessed the first chlorine hydrate crystallizing. 185 years later, natural gas hydrates have begun to play an important role in energy business. From being a mere chemical curiosity, they have proven to be a nuisance for the natural gas industry. Their importance increased in the 1970s, when they began to plug even the largest pipelines from offshore or arctic fields or the wells from high-pressure underground storage facilities.
Studies over the past two decades indicate that large gas hydrate plugs form most often after shut-in pipelines or wells begin to flow. When a pipeline is shut-in, the fluid separates into the gas water and hydrocarbons as the temperature decreases.
These days, I am looking into this phenomena and associated problems in local gas industry in Qatar. I will keep you all posted about the latest developments and technologies on hydrates problem in all aspects.
