ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the critical components required to move the gas from the gas meter at the wellhead to the gas processing plant. It gives an overview of wellhead operations, gathering systems, and compressor stations. It discusses the importance of pigging operations and describes how pig launchers and receivers work. The chapter then discusses gas hydrates, what they are, when they form, and how to avoid hydrate formation using various kinds of inhibitors. Equations and figures are given so that hydrate formation conditions can be estimated, and the amount of hydrate inhibitor be determined. Methanol is a common inhibitor but is volatile. Curves are given to estimate the total amount of methanol needed to provide protection from hydrate formation. The chapter concludes with an overview of liquid slug catchers and inlet receiving.
