In the modern oil and gas industry, ensuring stable pipeline system operation under complex conditions has become a core requirement for production safety and efficiency. FAC Institute is a leading technical service organization specializing in research and engineering applications of flow assurance technologies. It is committed to delivering comprehensive and precise technical support for pipeline system design, operation, and optimization.
Core Concept: Diagnosing System Risks Through Flow Behavior
Flow assurance refers to ensuring the “smooth, safe, and efficient” flow of oil and gas within wells, pipelines, and gathering systems. Due to the complexity of fluid composition and environmental variability, issues such as wax deposition, hydrate formation, corrosion/erosion, flow instability, and liquid loading often arise. These not only reduce transportation efficiency but can also cause equipment damage or safety incidents.
FAC Institute leverages a methodology centered on “system modeling + multiphase simulation + risk identification + strategy optimization” to focus on problem prediction, prevention, and process optimization—offering end-to-end services from risk diagnosis to solution design.
Core Technical Service Areas
🔬 Wax Deposition Simulation and Analysis
Using OLGA, LedaFlow, WaxPro, and the self-developed FA Master software, FAC Institute dynamically predicts wax deposition rates and layer thickness, identifies high-risk zones, and optimizes pigging cycles and chemical injection strategies.
❄ Hydrate Prediction and Mitigation
By integrating TUFFP models, PVTSim, and MultiFlash, FAC Institute accurately predicts hydrate formation conditions and develops holistic mitigation strategies including heating, chemical injection, and flow optimization—ensuring safe transportation under low-temperature, high-pressure environments.
🛠 Startup and Shutdown Simulation
Simulating critical transitional conditions such as startup, shutdown, restart, and ramp-up/down operations, with a focus on evaluating thermal effects and restart pressure feasibility after cooldown during shutdown.
⚙ Corrosion / Erosion Analysis
Using multiphase flow models and tools such as ECE and OLGA, FAC Institute assesses corrosion/erosion rates across pipeline segments to support material selection, coating strategies, and integrity management.
📉 Liquid Loading and Flow Instability Analysis
Assessing risks such as flow instability and liquid slugging at compressor inlets due to liquid loading in gas wells and pipelines. FAC Institute offers technical solutions including choking, liquid unloading, and structural optimization.
🔄 Flow Control Optimization and Integrated Design
Combining results from steady-state and transient simulations, FAC Institute supports process optimization at the system level—ranging from well architecture, gas lift parameter design, and pipeline layout to energy consumption evaluation.
Simulation Tools and Proprietary Platforms
FAC Institute boasts strong modeling and simulation capabilities, with a comprehensive software portfolio including:
- OLGA / LedaFlow: Transient multiphase flow simulation
- SPS: Transient simulations under special conditions
- PVTSim / MultiFlash: Thermodynamic property modeling
- WaxPro / ECE: Wax deposition and corrosion evaluation
- PIPESIM / PipePhase: Steady-state multiphase modeling
- FA Master: FAC Institute's proprietary platform for flexible modeling, custom development, and scenario comparison under complex couplings
Deliverables
- 📄 Technical Reports: Including simulated conditions, modeling assumptions, risk identification, parameter distributions, and conclusions
- 📊 Optimization Recommendations: Providing engineering suggestions for wax mitigation, corrosion protection, insulation, pigging, and chemical dosing
- 🗂 Data Packages and Model Files: Enabling verification, integration, and future reuse by clients
- 📞 On-site Technical Support: Assisting through all stages of design, commissioning, and implementation
Our Advantages
- Comprehensive Software Ecosystem: Covering steady/transient, multiphase/single-phase, and physical/thermodynamic analyses
- Self-developed Tools: FA Master enables efficient model building and result interpretation for complex coupled simulations
- Interdisciplinary Team: Integrating expertise across process, chemistry, materials, thermal, and structural engineering
- Extensive Project Experience: Proven in onshore, offshore, and desert environments with scalable and implementable solutions
Contact Us
FAC Institute is committed to “scientific risk identification, quantitative strategy formulation, and engineering-oriented simulation analysis.” We look forward to supporting your oil and gas operations with safer, more economical, and more efficient flow assurance solutions.
📧 For more details about our services, feel free to contact us or scan the QR code below for personalized assistance!
