Instructive Value of Flow Assurance Assessment Based J-Curve Analysis on Pipeline Maintenance and Operation

This paper develops an optimization concept based on J-curve analysis in pipeline system design as a tool in the quantitative evaluation of pipeline operation efficiency and maintenance decisions. The method includes the creation of the J-curve (total Capex and Opex per unit volume versus the pipeline flow rate) of the as build system without maintenance, the improvement or changing of the J-curve after maintenance goal is achieved, and the return of expenditure curve of the maintenance at different flow rate based on the current commodity market price. The J-curve improvement and the return of expenditure curve will show the efficiency of the maintenance activities as basis for their priority and necessity. The return curve also help to set up the range of optimized flow rates that the pipeline should be operated at given the market price status. The creation of J-curve is based on the pipeline performance hydraulics model bench marked with pipeline measurement data.