FLO FUSION 4000 increased crude flow rate by …...with FLO FUSION 4000—a slurry drag reducing agent (DRA) designed to reduce the friction associated with flow in crude oil pipelines.

Challenges

Existing pipeline flow rate limited by maximum operating pressure

CAPEX to increase throughput via equipment upgrades was not a feasible solution

Results

Enabled pipeline company to increase flow rate by more than 40%

A pipeline company experienced flow rate limitations on a multi-diameter pipeline that was transporting crude oil from West Texas oil fields to a major refinery more than 100 miles away. The majority of crude oil transported was West Texas Intermediate (WTI) with an average 43°API, and the flow rate was limited by maximum operating pressure. CAPEX constraints prevented them from installing upgraded equipment, so the operator reached out to Baker Hughes, a GE company (BHGE), for a more economical solution to increase the crude throughput. BHGE proposed a treatment program with FLO™ FUSION 4000—a slurry drag reducing agent (DRA) designed to reduce the friction associated with flow in crude oil pipelines. The efficacy of treatment was evaluated via a drag reduction field test along a 17-mile section of the pipeline. BHGE executed the field test at three separate dosages to fully characterize the percentage drag reduction achievable. A performance curve was fitted to the three dosages examined during testing (Figure 1).

As a result of the trial, the FLO FUSION

4000 treatment enabled the customer to

increase their flow rate by 40%+ at

moderate dosages.

The results seen in this application are

specific to the pipeline tested. Flow

improvement results will vary depending

on pipeline configuration and crude

oil properties. Contact BHGE for

more information.

Figure 1. Drag reduction performance curve.

FLO FUSION 4000 increased crude flow rate by more than 40%

bhge.com Copyright 2017 Baker Hughes, a GE company, LLC (“BHGE”). All rights reserved.

The information contained in this document is company confidential and proprietary property of BHGE and its affiliates. It is to be used only for the benefit of BHGE and may not be distributed, transmitted, reproduced, altered, or used for any purpose without the express written consent of BHGE.

Baker Hughes reserves the right to make changes in specifications and features shown herein, or discontinue the product described at any time without notice or obligation. Contact your BHGE representative for the most current information. The Baker Hughes logo and FLO are trademarks of Baker Hughes, a GE company, LLC. GE and the GE Monogram are trademarks of the General Electric Company.

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