MIT researchers develop surface coatings to inhibit buildup of methane hydrates that can block deep-sea oil and gas pipelines

Clathrate hydrate formation and subsequent plugging of deep-sea oil and gas pipelines represent a significant bottleneck for deep-sea oil and gas operations. Researchers at MIT, led by associate professor of mechanical engineering Kripa Varanasi, say they have found a solution, described recently in the RSC journal Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics. Methane hydrates can freeze upon contact with cold water in the deep ocean, are a chronic problem for deep-sea oil and gas wells.One of the crucial issues in making deep wells viable is “flow assurance”: finding ways to avoid the buildup of methane hydrates. The MIT team’s new method would use passive coatings on the insides of the pipes that are designed to prevent the hydrates from adhering.