Production problem (from article: http://petrowiki.

org/PEH:Well_Production_Problems#cite_note-r42-42)
Hydrates
Natural-gas hydrates are ice-like solids that form when free water and natural gas combine at high pressure and
"low" temperature. Its formed when a host molecule (water), through hydrogen bonding, forms a caged
structure that contain guest. Example Such solids can be formed with N2, H2S, CO2, C1, C2, C3, and iso-
butane. Larger molecules like n-butane and cyclopentane require the presence of some smaller molecules.

Prediction of hydrate formation.

From figure above, there are essentially five regions: 1) hydrate + gaseous hydrocarbon (+ excess liquid water),
2) hydrate + liquid hydrocarbon (+ excess liquid water), 3) ice + gaseous hydrocarbon, 4) liquid water + gaseous
hydrocarbon, and 5) liquid water + liquid hydrocarbon.

Control measure:

The first step is to understand which pressure and temperature conditions/locations in the specific
system are conducive to gas-hydrate formation.
The second control step is the comparison of this information with the measured or expected PT profile
within the production system. Or in other word is by producing the hydrocarbons under conditions that
avoid the hydrate PT formation zone or using a suitable inhibition method.

The alternative to production control is the use of inhibitors. Three types of inhibitors use is :
1) Antiagglomerates
2) Kinetic inhibitors
3) Thermodynamics inhibitors