Assessment of Flow Assurance Challenges in Offshore Gas Condensate Pipelines in the Gulf of Guinea

Flow assurance in offshore gas condensate pipelines involves managing a complex set of multiphase flow and thermodynamic challenges that can impair production continuity and pipeline integrity. This study assesses the primary flow assurance challenges encountered in offshore gas condensate pipelines in the Nigerian sector of the Gulf of Guinea, drawing on technical case studies from the Abo Field, the Okwuibome condensate system, and the Brass River export pipeline. The research adopts a technical literature synthesis methodology combined with analysis of operational data and production chemistry reports from the studied systems. Flow assurance issues reviewed include hydrate formation, wax deposition, asphaltene precipitation, corrosion product deposition, and severe slugging in pipeline-riser systems. The study evaluates the integrated flow assurance management strategies employed, including chemical treatment programmes, operational flow rate adjustments, pigging schedules, and thermal management measures. A significant component of the study involves multiphase flow simulation using OLGA software models calibrated against historical production data to predict operational envelopes and identify flow assurance risk windows. Findings highlight severe slugging in riser systems as the most disruptive operational challenge, with slug volumes significantly exceeding topside separator design capacity at low production rates. Recommendations include active slug control systems, enhanced pigging frequencies during low-rate production periods, and integration of flow assurance modelling into field development planning. Keywords: flow assurance, gas condensate, offshore pipeline, slugging, Gulf of Guinea.