Petrofac

Flowlines and Manifolds

SECTION 2
FLOWLINES AND MANIFOLDS
1

Introduction

Well Flowlines

Production and Test Manifolds

Figures
2.1

Wellhead Gas Production Flowline

2.2

Production and Test Manifolds

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Flowlines and Manifolds

INTRODUCTION
Section 2 of the course examines the flow of hydrocarbons from the wellhead
to the first part of the process plant - separation.
In order to achieve this the fluids pass through individual flowlines and then
through production or test manifolds.

WELL FLOWLINES
Refer to Figure 2.1
Well flowlines are installed in order to transmit fluids to or from the
wellheads.
In the case of a dual completion well, gas is routed from the gaslift manifold
to the wellhead through the gas-lift flowline. Normally an injection flowline
would include at least two additional valves over and above those installed at
the wellhead. Typically these are an emergency shutdown valve (ESDV) which
can be used to isolate the supply of gas to the well during shutdown
conditions, and a choke valve which is used to control the amount of gas
passing to the well.
On the production side of the well the production flowline is used to transmit
the well fluids to the production or test manifold, the production flowline
will normally include a choke for controlling the amount of fluids passing
forward to the manifolds.
The flowlines can and normally do
facilitate the injection of chemicals
injection of scale inhibitor in order
carbonate scales, and the injection
formation of hydrates.

have, additional tappings in order to

as required. Typical of these are the
to minimise the formation of calcium
of methanol in order to prevent the

Also installed on flowlines are the various instrument tappings which are used
to communicate pressure and temperature indications of the fluids. High and
low pressure pilots are installed on the flowlines and will initiate alarm or
shutdown actions when the setpoints are reached.
Finally, well flowlines also provide the facility for sampling and monitoring
the contents of the flowline.

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Flowlines and Manifolds

PRODUCTION AND TEST MANIFOLDS

Refer to Figure 2.2
Individual well flowlines are routed to either a production manifold or a test
manifold.
Production Manifolds
The production manifold is designed to accommodate the total production
from all of the wells, and once the individual flows are combined in the
manifold they then pass on to the main separation train.
Where each flowline terminates at the manifold there will be valve isolation
available plus a non-return valve in order to prevent flow reversal back along
the individual flowlines.
In the event of problems arising within the system ie effective boxing in of
the manifold at both ends, then the manifold can be depressurised to the
flare systems through a blowdown valve arrangement, and then drained for
maintenance etc.
Test Manifolds
The test manifold is designed to accommodate individual wells by routing
them to a test separator. This is required so that individual wells can be
tested in order to ascertain their flow, and what the compositions of the
fluids are.
As with the production manifold the test manifold has the facility to be
depressurised and drained.

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Figure 2.1

Figure 2.2

Petrofac Training Services / June 2010