A system and method for delivering heat to a fluid in a fluid production pipeline. Particles are injected into a line adjacent the fluid production pipeline. The particles include a microencapsulated liquid exothermic phase change material configured to undergo a phase change by solidification and release heat at a selected temperature. The released heat is transferred to the fluid production pipeline.

A system and method for delivering heat to a fluid in a fluid production pipeline. Particles are injected into a line adjacent the fluid production pipeline. The particles include a microencapsulated liquid exothermic phase change material configured to undergo a phase change by solidification and release heat at a selected temperature. The released heat is transferred to the fluid production pipeline.

A method includes providing a length of pipeline that has a housing defining a central bore extending the length of the pipe and a space formed within the housing and extending the length of the pipe. At least one condition within the space is continuously monitored within the space to detect in real time if a change in the housing occurs.

A method includes providing a length of pipeline that has a housing defining a central bore extending the length of the pipe and a space formed within the housing and extending the length of the pipe. At least one condition within the space is continuously monitored within the space to detect in real time if a change in the housing occurs.

A production method can include flowing a heterogeneous fluid mixture into contact with a homogenizing cutting tool, measuring a fluid mixture temperature so as to obtain a measured fluid mixture temperature, and determining a target fluid mixture temperature. The fluid mixture can be frictionally heated so as to obtain a heated and homogenized fluid mixture by driving the cutting tool at a rate based on (i) the target fluid mixture temperature and (ii) the measured fluid mixture temperature. The heated and homogenized fluid mixture can be flowed away from the cutting tool.

A production method can include flowing a heterogeneous fluid mixture into contact with a homogenizing cutting tool, measuring a fluid mixture temperature so as to obtain a measured fluid mixture temperature, and determining a target fluid mixture temperature. The fluid mixture can be frictionally heated so as to obtain a heated and homogenized fluid mixture by driving the cutting tool at a rate based on (i) the target fluid mixture temperature and (ii) the measured fluid mixture temperature. The heated and homogenized fluid mixture can be flowed away from the cutting tool.

The invention provides a cooler system for a hydrocarbon flow system and a method of use. The cooler system comprises a heat exchange conduit comprising a primary inlet for receiving a fluid to be cooled and a primary outlet. A return conduit is fluidly connected to the heat exchange conduit at a return location downstream of the primary inlet, and is configured to direct at least a proportion of fluid in the heat exchange conduit from the return location to a secondary cooler inlet system. The secondary cooler inlet system enables inflow of recycled fluid from the return conduit to the heat exchange conduit at a plurality of inflow positions along the hydrocarbon flow system, upstream of the return location. The method comprises flowing fluid into the hydrocarbon flow system at one or more of the plurality of inflow positions.

A method includes providing a length of pipeline that has a housing defining a central bore extending the length of the pipe and a space formed within the housing and extending the length of the pipe. At least one condition within the space is continuously monitored within the space to detect in real time if a change in the housing occurs.

A method includes providing a length of pipeline that has a housing defining a central bore extending the length of the pipe and a space formed within the housing and extending the length of the pipe. At least one condition within the space is continuously monitored within the space to detect in real time if a change in the housing occurs.

A technique mitigates or removes a plug of solid-state material such as wax or hydrate coalesced from hydrocarbon fluids in a subsea flowline pipe. In a normal flow mode, a flow of hot production fluids directed from a subsea well into a production flowline pipe extending toward a processing or storage location. Simultaneously, a contra-flow of service fluid such as monoethylene glycol (MEG) is transported along a service fluid pipe extending along and adjacent the production flowline pipe. The service fluid is injected into the well or flow of production fluid upstream of the flowline pipe. On determining plugging or a risk of plugging of the flowline pipe, a heating mode is activated wherein at least some of the flow of the production fluid is diverted into the service fluid pipe. This heats the service fluid pipe which, in turn, heats the flowline pipe to disperse the solid-state material.