Introducing Cork As An Alternative Insulator to Polyurethane in Field X Production Pipelines: A Simulation Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29017/scog.v48i3.1871Keywords:
Wax Deposition, Insulation, Polyurethane, Cork, Wax Appearance Temperature (WAT)Abstract
This study investigates the role of insulation in mitigating wax deposition and compares the performance of two insulation materials, cork and polyurethane, when it is applied to production pipelines. The objective is to evaluate their effects on wax layer thickness, thermal energy retention within the production pipe, and reservoir fluid temperature relative to the Wax Appearance Temperature (WAT). The methodology involves fluid characterization using Multiflash PVT Modeling & Flow Assurance software, combined with dynamic multiphase flow simulations to model production pipelines and assess flow assurance performance. The novelty of this research lies in introducing cork as an alternative insulation material to polyurethane, providing new insights into sustainable and effective solutions for wax deposition control.
References
Ajayi, O.E., 2013, ‘Modelling of controlled wax deposition and loosening in oil and gas production systems’, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim.
Burger, E., Perkins, T. & Striegler, J., 1981, ‘Studies of wax deposition in the Trans Alaska Pipeline’, SPE Journal of Petroleum Technology, pp. 1075–1086, SPE. DOI: 10.2118/8788-PA.
Cao, K., Pojtanabuntoeng, T., Esmaily, M. & Thomas, S., 2022, ‘A review of corrosion under insulation: A critical issue in the oil and gas industry’.
Cengel, Y.A., 2002, Heat transfer, second edition: A practical approach, McGraw-Hill Higher Education.
Chinwuba, I., Vivian, O. & Princewill, O., 2016, ‘Evaluation of flow assurance in onshore production facilities in the Niger Delta’.
Huan, Z., Zheng, S. & Fogler, H., 2015, Wax deposition: ‘Experimental characterizations, theoretical modeling, and field practices’, Taylor and Francis Group, USA.
Leiroz, A.T. & Azevedo, L.F.A., 2005, ‘Studies on the mechanisms of wax deposition in pipelines’, Offshore Technology Conference.
Kargarpour, M.A., Dandekar, A., Jain, A.K., Sharma, K., Negi, D.S., Sarkar, A., Tewari, D.C. & Theyab, M.A., 2017, ‘Study of fluid flow assurance in hydrocarbon production – Investigation wax mechanisms’, Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology. DOI: 10.18744/PUB.002061.
Karono, R. M., dkk., 2015, ‘Hydrate Mitigation for Deep Water and Long Distance Pipeline’, Scientific Contributions Oil & Gas, 38(2), 95–102. https://doi.org/10.29017/SCOG.38.2.544.
Masela, D., 2023, ‘Pengaruh Perubahan Diameter Pipa dan Jenis Insulasi Terhadap Pressure Drop dan Heat Loss di Lapangan Panas Bumi’, Lembaran Publikasi Minyak dan Gas Bumi (LPMGB), 57(3). https://doi.org/10.29017/LPMGB.57.3.1597.
Matzain, A., Apte, M.S., Zhang, H., Volk, M., Redus, C.L., Brill, J.P. & Creek, J.L., 2001, ‘Multiphase flow wax deposition modeling’, ETCE, Houston. DOI: 10.1115/ETCE2001-17114.
Miranda, E.N. & Vidales, A.M., 1998, ‘A relation between the thermal conductivity and the specific heat from entropy considerations’, Universidad Nacional de San Luis.
Montero, F., 2020, ‘Wax deposition analysis for oil and gas multiphase flow in pipelines’.
Morris, W., Kaplan, K.B. & Brown, 1979, ‘New technology in insulated offshore pipelines – Design and installation’.
Olajire, A.A., 2021, ‘Review of wax deposition in subsea oil pipeline systems and mitigation’, Chemical Engineering Journal Advances. DOI: 10.1016/j.cejadv.2021.100144.
Phillips, D.A., Forsdyke, I.N., McCracken, I.R. & Ravenscroft, P., 2011, ‘Novel approaches to waxy crude restart: Part 2 – An investigation of flow events following shutdown’, Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering. DOI: 10.1016/j.petrol.2011.04.003.
Rosvold, K., 2008, ‘Wax deposition models’, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim.
Rygg, O.B., Rydahl, A.K. & Ronningsen, H.P., 1998, ‘Wax deposition in offshore pipeline ja systems’, North American Conference on Multiphase Technology, Banff.
Sierra-Perez, J., Gracie-Perez, S., Blanc, S., Gabarrell, X., Rives, & Boschmonart, 2017, ‘The use of forest-based materials for the efficient energy of cities: Environmental and economic implications of cork as insulation material’. DOI: 10.1016/j.scs.2017.12.008.
Siljuberg, M.K., 2012, ‘Modelling of paraffin wax in oil pipelines’, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim.
Singh, P., Venkatesan, R. & Fogler, H., 2000, ‘Formation and aging of incipient thin film wax oil gels’, AIChE, vol. 46, pp. 1059–1074. DOI: 10.1002/aic.690460517.
Theyab, M.A., 2017, ‘Study of fluid flow assurance in hydrocarbon production – Investigation wax mechanisms’, London South Bank University, London. DOI: 10.18744/PUB/002061.
Theyab, M.A., 2018, ‘Fluid flow assurance issues: Literature review’, Scientific Federation Journal of Petroleum, pp. 1–11, Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research of Iraq, Iraq.
Tony, B., 2025, ‘Transient Simulation to Analyze Wax Deposition and Flow Pattern Behavior Along Tubing Under ESP Installation and Gassy Well Condition’. Scientific Contributions Oil & Gas, 48(3), 51–60.
Vandragi, S., Lemma, T., Mujtaba, S. & Pedapati, S., 2021, ‘Determination and analysis of leak estimation parameters in two-phase flow pipelines using OLGA multiphase software’, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS. DOI: 10.1016/j.suscom.2021.100564.
Venkatesan, R. & Creek, J.L., 2007, ‘Wax deposition during production operations: SOTA’, Offshore Technology Conference. DOI: 10.4043/18798-MS.
Xing, L. & Yeung, H., 2011, ‘Investigation of slug flow induced forces on pipe bends applying Star-OLGA coupling’, 15th BHR Group Multiphase Production Technology International Conference, pp. 327–344.
Zhu, T., Walker, J.A. & Liang, J., 2008, ‘Evaluation of wax deposition and its control during production of Alaska North Slope oils’, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Kansas. DOI: 10.2172/963363.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 © Copyright by Authors. Published by LEMIGAS

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors are free to Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format for any purpose, even commercially Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially.
The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms, under the following terms Attribution — You must give appropriate credit , provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made . You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.









