# Multiphase Flowline Hydraulics, Slugging & Hydrate Transient Study

- **Organization / Host**: EPPM
- **Client**: PMC Project · Naft Khana Oilfield Rehabilitation
- **Role**: Process Engineering Intern (PMC)
- **Timeline**: Jan 2026 – Aug 2026
- **Location**: Middle East / Iraq
- **Domain**: Flow Assurance & PMC Auditing

## Executive Summary
Served as process engineer on the Project Management Consultant (PMC) team for the Naft Khana Oilfield Rehabilitation project, executing rigorous technical review and auditing of the EPC engineering firm's design calculations, equipment sizing books, and flow assurance models. Independently validated multiphase gathering hydraulics in SLB PIPESIM, topside slug catcher dynamic surge response in Aspen HYSYS Dynamics, and chemical hydrate mitigation envelopes.

## Key Technical Metrics
- **PMC Scope**: EPC Design Audit (Calculation & Assumption Verification)
- **Flow Assurance**: PIPESIM & HYSYS (Multiphase Hydraulics & Slugging)
- **Design Audit**: API 12J & 14E (Separator & Flowline Sizing Review)
- **Hydrate Strategy**: Thermodynamic (Inhibitor Dosage & Subcooling Check)

## Engineering Challenge & Technical Mandate
Serving as process engineer on the PMC team required critically auditing the EPC engineering contractor's calculation books, simulation assumptions, and equipment specifications across an undulating gathering network. The challenge was to independently verify whether the contractor's steady-state sizing adequately accounted for hydrodynamic and terrain-induced slugging at turndown rates, cold restart risks within the hydrate formation zone, and severe liquid surges during pigging operations. Through rigorous technical audit of separator sizing calculations (API 12J / GPSA) and steady-state hydraulic modeling in PIPESIM with topside slug catcher surge verification in HYSYS Dynamics, I identified key discrepancies in contractor liquid retention assumptions and inhibitor injection rates, issuing formal Technical Queries (TQs) to safeguard downstream processing facilities.

## Process Simulation & Tools Used
- SLB PIPESIM
- Aspen HYSYS Upstream
- HYSYS Dynamics
- Bluebeam Revu

## Standards & Codes Applied
- API 14E (Design of Piping Systems)
- API 12J (Separators)
- ISO 13703
- GPSA Sec 7

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*Published by Hazem Mensi — Chemical Process Engineer (https://www.hazemensi.com)*