Methods and systems for optimizing pipeline operation are disclosed, including an operating system for optimizing a pipeline objective for a pipeline system comprising a plurality of pipeline sections, the operating system comprising a controller configured to: (i) generate a current state of at least one section of the pipeline, the current state comprising the measured state of at least one pipeline object and at least one fluid object; (ii) generate a line fill; (iii) generate a predicted future state of the at least one section of the pipeline from the line fill, and a schedule of planned additions of fluids and planned flow rates; (iv) generate an optimized future state of the at least one section of the pipeline with an optimization function; and (v) determine one or more setpoints to implement the optimized future state.

An oxyalkylated branched aliphatic compound produced by oxyalkylating a branched aliphatic compound having 12 or more carbon atoms in which the branched aliphatic compound having 12 or more carbon atoms is grafted with a polyether via a crosslinking reaction, wherein the polyether is a polymer of ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, and combinations thereof, may be useful as an inverting aid for increasing the dissolution rate of a latex-based drag reducing agent in a liquid hydrocarbon.

A natural gas hydrate inhibitor having a structure of formula (1) or formula (2). The inhibitor of the present invention is synthesized on the basis of N-vinylpyrrolidone by introducing a new structural group to achieve terminal modification of the polymer chain, which thereby improves the inhibitory effect.

##STR00001## wherein R is a C.sub.1-8 hydrocarbon group.

A natural gas hydrate inhibitor having a structure of formula (1) or formula (2). The inhibitor of the present invention is synthesized on the basis of N-vinylpyrrolidone by introducing a new structural group to achieve terminal modification of the polymer chain, which thereby improves the inhibitory effect.

##STR00001## wherein R is a C.sub.1-8 hydrocarbon group.

An oxyalkylated branched aliphatic compound produced by oxyalkylating a branched aliphatic compound having 12 or more carbon atoms in which the branched aliphatic compound having 12 or more carbon atoms is grafted with a polyether via a crosslinking reaction, wherein the polyether is a polymer of ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, and combinations thereof, may be useful as an inverting aid for increasing the dissolution rate of a latex-based drag reducing agent in a liquid hydrocarbon.

A method of starting up flow of viscous oil in a pipeline, wherein the pipeline has an inlet and an outlet and wherein the viscous oil is initially stationary within the pipeline, includes supplying water to a first section of the pipeline through an inflow control device; initiating a flow of viscous oil within the first section towards the outlet by pressurising the water; supplying water to a second section of the pipeline through a further inflow wherein the first section is closer to the outlet of the pipeline than the second section; and initiating a flow of viscous oil within the second section towards the outlet by pressurising the water.

A method of starting up flow of viscous oil in a pipeline, wherein the pipeline has an inlet and an outlet and wherein the viscous oil is initially stationary within the pipeline, includes supplying water to a first section of the pipeline through an inflow control device; initiating a flow of viscous oil within the first section towards the outlet by pressurising the water; supplying water to a second section of the pipeline through a further inflow wherein the first section is closer to the outlet of the pipeline than the second section; and initiating a flow of viscous oil within the second section towards the outlet by pressurising the water.

The process begins by obtaining a first batch of monomers selected from a group of acrylates with a molecular weight equal to or less than butyl acrylate and/or methacrylate with a molecular weight equal to or less than butyl methacrylate. A second batch of monomers is then selected from a group of acrylates with a molecular weight greater than butyl acrylate and/or methacrylate with a molecular weight greater than butyl methacrylate. A mixture is then prepared by mixing the first batch of monomers and the second batch of monomers, wherein the second batch of monomers are greater than 50% by weight of the mixture. Finally, the mixture is polymerized to produce a drag reducing polymer. The drag reducing polymer is capable of imparting drag reducing properties in liquid hydrocarbons.

The process begins by obtaining a first batch of monomers selected from a group of acrylates with a molecular weight equal to or less than butyl acrylate and/or methacrylate with a molecular weight equal to or less than butyl methacrylate. A second batch of monomers is then selected from a group of acrylates with a molecular weight greater than butyl acrylate and/or methacrylate with a molecular weight greater than butyl methacrylate. A mixture is then prepared by mixing the first batch of monomers and the second batch of monomers, wherein the second batch of monomers are greater than 50% by weight of the mixture. Finally, the mixture is polymerized to produce a drag reducing polymer. The drag reducing polymer is capable of imparting drag reducing properties in liquid hydrocarbons.

The invention provides a method for enriching diluents with butane so as not to violate pre-defined limits for liquid hydrocarbon fuels with respect to density, volatility and low density hydrocarbon content.