Process for transporting a multiphase system through a pipeline

Abstract

The invention relates to a process for transporting a multiphase system through a pipeline. An oil-soluble polymer with a weight-average molecular weight (Mw) of at most 1,500 kg/mol has been added to the system. Preferably the process is applied for the transport of a natural gas-condensate system or for the transport of a petroleum-gas system. The polymer may be an olefin polymer which contains monomer units of ethylene and at least one alpha olefin or an olefin polymer which contains monomer units of ethylene, at lease one alpha olefin and at least one non-conjugated polyene.

1 - 14 . (canceled)  
     
     
         15 . A process for transporting a multiphase system through a pipeline, wherein a multiphase system is transported to which an oil-soluble polymer has been added with a weight-average molecular weight (Mw) of at most 400 kg/mol.  
     
     
         16 . A process according to  claim 15 , wherein the polymer is an olefin polymer which contains monomer units of ethylene and at least one alpha olefin or the polymer is an olefin polymer which contains monomer units of ethylene, at least one alpha olefin and at least one non-conjugated polyene.  
     
     
         17 . A process according to  claim 15 , wherein the alpha olefin is propylene.  
     
     
         18 . A process according to  claim 16 , wherein the olefin polymer contains 15-80 mole % monomer units of ethylene and 20-85 mole % monomer units of an alpha olefin or the olefin polymer contains monomer units of ethylene, units of an alpha olefin and 0.1-10 mole % monomer units of the polyene wherein the monomer units of ethylene and the alpha olefin have the same molar ratio as in said (first) olefin polymer.  
     
     
         19 . A process according to  claim 18 , wherein the olefin polymer contains 35-75 mole % monomer units of ethylene and 25-65 mole % monomer units of an alpha olefin.  
     
     
         20 . A process according to  claim 16 , wherein the olefin polymer has a crystallinity of at most 5%.  
     
     
         21 . A process according to  claim 16 , wherein the olefin polymer contains polar groups.  
     
     
         22 . A process according to  claim 21 , wherein the olefin polymer containing polar groups is an olefin polymer grafted with maleic anhydride and/or an ester of maleic acid.  
     
     
         23 . A process according to  claim 15 , wherein the multiphase system is a gas petroleum system.  
     
     
         24 . A process according to  claim 15 , wherein the multiphase system is a natural gas-condensate system.  
     
     
         25 . A process according to  claim 15 , wherein the multiphase system has a stratified, an annular flow or a slug flow.  
     
     
         26 . A multiphase system wherein the multiphased system an oil-soluble polymer has been added with a weight-average molecular weight (Mw) of at most 400 kg/kmol.