Breaking Hydrates in a Frozen Sump with QuadMelt
Quadra’s Account Manager received a message from an Operator at a customer’s gas plant in Dawson Creek, BC. The gas plant was dealing with a frozen sump and needed a solution, fast.
The Operator inquired about Hydrate Superbreak, a product typically used for above-ground piping and pipelines due to its lighter composition. However, given the nature of the issue, we recommended Quadmelt instead, as it is specifically designed for downhole applications and would likely be the best fit for the job.
The Solution: Deploying Quadmelt
After discussing Quadra’s solution and product effectiveness with operations, the customer reached out afterhours to confirm stock availability and dosage recommendations. While Quadra’s Account Manager knew Quadmelt could be mixed with methanol, the exact amount needed for this scenario at the time, was uncertain.
A clean pressure truck was quickly lined up to transport the product to the site. Once the truck arrived, they sucked out a drum of Quadmelt and combined it with methanol directly at the location.
The Result: Broke the Hydrate before A Couple of Hundred Liters Was Pumped Through
The hydrate blockage was successfully broken – a testament to the effectiveness of Quadmelt in demanding conditions.
Why it Worked
Rapid Action – Quadra’s Account Manager was quick on his feet proposing an effective solution to dissolve the hydrate, minimizing downtime of the gas plant on a Friday.
Versatile Application – While designed for downhole use, Quadmelt’s adaptability in this situation proved invaluable.
Reliable Results – The immediate impact meant operations could resume without extended delays into the weekend.
Quadra has the right chemical solutions on hand and the expertise to recommend the right product for the job. Whether it’s hydrate remediation, pipeline integrity or general energy sector chemical solutions, our natural gas team is here to help.
Got a similar challenge? Contact us to find the best solution for your operations!
