Steady state flow assurance is relatively straightforward even though the task may be complicated by the fact that through life of field both the composition of the fluids and the environment will change.

The pressure drops and their effects on flow can be modelled with a variety of existing commercial software packages. These tools are an invaluable aid in designing and improving the pipeline and completion network provided that the models are run on a representative sample of life of field conditions. Ingen personnel are well versed in using a variety of flow assurance packages for designing completions and infrastructure.

Dynamic flow assurance, which aims to predict the changes in very short timeframes, such as a cold start up, is much more complicated. Most companies do not have the in house capabilities to do this but it is still a requirement during the design stage to ensure that the operating conditions remain within the design parameters. Moreover significant production losses can be incurred by dynamic behaviour such as slugging or gas lift valve cycling which again require dynamic expertise to analyse. Ingen uses OLGA software, which is the leading dynamic simulation software in the industry, for its unsteady state simulations

The traditional perspective on Flow Assurance is that before embarking on the development of a pipeline development tied back to a host facility, knowledge is required
of how the fluid will behave within the pipework and how this will vary through the producing life of the field. Developing this understanding and then ensuring facilities are
designed and operate to meet the challenges is what flow assurance is all about.

For smaller subsea accumulations of hydrocarbons, where there is insufficient reserves to justify fixed facilities, subsea tiebacks are the natural means of development. The size of
accumulation that can be successfully developed has reduced over time, whilst tie-back distances and maximum water depths have all increased.

Whilst Ingen agree in principle with this perspective we believe that this goal must be pursued within the context of developing the appropriate integrated conceptual solution
where life of field reservoir understanding is incorporated within this design stage. This must access and respond to the subsurface teams view on what could be delivered to the
production network and host facility that will produce the hydrocarbons. In this consideration should be given to how the potential production rates could be enhanced.
This is where knowledge of the overall depletion strategy and the applicable artificial lift methods is required. It is our belief that these goals can only be truly realised if there is a
strong subsurface understanding and ability to integrate this cross discipline expertise within the project and Ingen has this expertise.

In addition to determining what the production network looks like, flow assurance has a key role in determining the appropriate temperature management strategy for the system
and also in setting design conditions for all the components. Flow assurance also considers the impact of the chemistry of the fluids in terms of material selection and
defining any treatments that are required to maintain flow.

The field life, future plans, risks and opportunities play an important role in the decision making process.