This technology covers the whole range of design tools, methods and equipment as well as knowledge and professional skills.

All these are needed to ensure safe, uninterrupted and simultaneous transport of gas, oil and water mixtures through wells/pipelines from the reservoir to an offshore or land-based processing facility.

More than 25 years of intensive research and development, numerous tie-backs of satellite fields and some recordbreaking long-distance gas condensate pipeline projects mean that Statoil is now regarded as one of the world’s leading multiphase flow specialists.

Multiphase flow transfer has become the rule rather than the exception for new offshore developments.

In many cases, the key to profitability is the ability to pipe untreated wellstreams over considerable distances in order to avoid the construction of costly offshore surface installations.

Environmental or climatic considerations may make this approach to developing offshore hydrocarbon resources essential for some projects in the Arctic.

Specific technologies, know-how and experience

  • A leading role in developing the Olga multiphase flow model over 25 years, in cooperation with other oil companies and research institutes.
  • Extensive application of multiphase flow modelling in the design and operation of multiphase pipelines.
  • Operational experience from several very long (50-150 kilometre) gas and condensate pipelines as a basis for extending the limits of multiphase flow to even longer distances in the future.
  • Development of novel methods for hydrate and wax control, based on 20 years of continuous in-house R&D.
  • Development of new methods for fluid characterisation, based on advanced in-house laboratories.
  • A leading role in qualifying and applying wet gas and multiphase flow metering for allocation, well testing and production optimisation. Advanced test facilities in the K-Lab at Kårstø are widely used to qualify new metering technology.

Key applications and projects

  • Simplified offshore processing – long-distance multiphase transfer of gas and condensate to the Kollsnes processing plant: Troll 67 kilometres and Kvitebjørn 145 kilometres.

  • Use of existing infrastructure for gas and condensate processing: Huldra 150 kilometres.
  • Establishing new offshore infrastructure: Åsgard (Midgard) 53 kilometres.
  • Satellite-to-satellite developments – a stepped development using existing subsea infrastructure: Mikkel to Åsgard via Midgard 90 kilometres.
  • Long-distance subsea oil field tie-back: Tyrihans 45 kilometres (2008).
  • Long-distance wellstream transfer to land in the Arctic: Snøhvit 140 kilometres (2007).
  • Long-distance gas condensate transfer to shore internationally: South Pars 100 kilometres (2007)