ABSTRACT
Subsea production of oil and gas is totally dependent on reliable methods to prevent the formation of natural gas hydrate blockages and plugs. The importance of gas hydrate flow assurance is reflected in the large volume of literature on the topic in recent decades. Extensive deposits of natural gas hydrate are found world-wide on-land and subsea at depths where both pressure and temperature are within the hydrate envelope. Oilfield chemistry conferences are held regularly and general oil and gas conferences have sessions on gas hydrate. Numerous doctoral theses have emanated from the world-wide research community on gas hydrates. Gas hydrates are also called clathrate hydrates, meaning enclosed or trapped inside. A water molecule is located at each of the corners of a hydrate dodecahedron in a tree-dimensional structure. The structure of hydrate cages is held in place by hydrogen bonding.
