STARTING BEHAVIOR OF GATHERING LINES AND PIPELINES WHEN FILLED WITH GELLED PRUDHOE BAY OIL

The rheology of Prudhoe Bay crude oil was systematically studied in concentric-cylinder viscometers. The apparent yield strength of Prudhoe Bay crude is influenced by (1) previous thermal history, (2) previous shear history, (3) aging, and (4) composition. It behaves as a pseudoplastic material to very low values of shear rate, but grades into a Newtonian-like behavior at high shear rates. It is thixotropic, but degraded gels can substantially rebuild upon quiescent aging for several tens of hours. Rheological behavior has been correlated on a dimensionless rheological plot involving shear rate, shear stress, and shear strain. Equations describe the yield behavior of gelled Prudhoe Bay crude oil in pipes. The concepts and equations developed are believed to be generally applicable to any oil.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Held in Houston, Texas, October 4-7, 1970.
• Corporate Authors:

  AIME-Society of Petroleum Eng Ann Fall Mtg (45th)

  6200 North Central Expressway
  Dallas, TX  United States  75206
• Authors:
  • Perkins, T K
  • Turner, J B
• Publication Date: 1970

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Operations; Pipe flow; Pipeline transportation
• Old TRIS Terms: Pipeline flow theory; Pipeline operating problems
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Design; Marine Transportation; Pipelines; Terminals and Facilities;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00056439
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: American Petroleum Institute
• Report/Paper Numbers: SPE #2997 Preprint
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 15 1974 12:00AM