Project Overview
Client owns and operates a critical 1,703 km pipeline running from the Single Point Mooring terminal in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, to the Indeni refinery in Ndola, Zambia. Converted in March 2023 to transport 50 PPM Low Sulphur Gas Oil (LSG), the system features 7 Booster Pump Stations and operates at an average flow rate of 100 MT per Hour (2,400 MT per day). To maximize pipeline throughput and operational efficiency, client partnered with Qingdao Dimensional Copolymerization Energy Co., Ltd. (Dico Energy) to conduct comprehensive drag reducer field trials.
Trial Parameters & Execution
The primary objective of the project was to evaluate the technical and economic viability of Dico Energy’s DOD-G350H Drag Reducer, ensuring it met the strict requirements for safe and efficient pipeline operation. The field trials were executed meticulously between March 16th and March 22nd, 2024, divided into two strategic phases:
— Phase 1: Injection and testing in the pipeline section between the Kigamboni Tank Farm (which boasts a holding capacity of 230,000 m3) and the Morogoro station.
— Phase 2: An additional performance verification test conducted at the Iringa station.
Results & Impact
The field operations demonstrated that the DOD-G350H Drag Reducer is a highly reliable and effective solution for long-distance, multi-section piggable pipelines. Key findings include:
Enhanced Throughput: Our drag reducing agent solution was successfully applied in this 1,700 km pipeline project in Africa, dramatically helping to improve transportation efficiency and optimize overall pipeline throughput.
Operational Excellence: The findings confirmed the highlighted role of the DOD-G350H Drag Reducer in achieving the desired pressure and flow parameters vital for the client.
System Compatibility: Despite using a manual injection tool and navigating minor facility constraints, the DOD-G350H demonstrated exceptional adaptability, proving it is a reliable choice capable of performing well under real-world African operational conditions.