Analysis of the Application Effectiveness of Dynamic Hose Electric Heat Tracing Technology in Flow Assurance for Deepwater Oilfields

The development of deepwater oilfields with high-viscosity crude faces severe flow assurance challenges, particularly during production restart after shutdown, where high emulsion viscosity and hydrate formation risks significantly threaten operational safety and economic viability. Taking a specific deepwater oilfield as a case study, this paper systematically analyzes the application effectiveness of dynamic hose electric heat tracing technology in addressing the crude oil’s characteristics. The research begins by outlining the limitations of traditional diesel displacement under extreme conditions, specifically the predicament where the required displacement pressure substantially exceeds the pumping system’s capacity. Subsequently, it elaborates on the working principle, system configuration, and critical role of the electric heat tracing technology within the flow assurance strategy. By establishing comparative model scenarios, a quantitative analysis was conducted on key performance indicators during system restart under four different power densities: no heating, 50 W/m, 100 W/m, and 150 W/m. These indicators include maximum wellhead pressure, system displacement time, fluid arrival temperature, and viscosity. The results demonstrate that the electric heat tracing technology can reduce restart pressure, considerably shorten restart time (by up to 54% or more). This study substantiates the necessity and superiority of electric heat tracing technology for achieving safe and efficient restart in high-viscosity deepwater oilfields, while also discussing potential risks such as technical maturity and power reliability, thereby providing crucial technical reference and practical basis for the development of similar oilfields.