Combined Dehydration of Gas and Inhibition of Liquid from a Well Stream

Abstract The present invention relates to a method for dehydration of a gas phase. The method comprising the steps of: receiving a first gas phase; cooling the first gas phase to condense out water, and optionally a hydrocarbon condensate, while keeping the first gas phase above a hydrate formation temperature thereof; separating off condensed liquids and a second gas phase from the first gas phase, the second gas phase having a lower water dew point than the first gas phase, adding a hydrate inhibitor to the second gas phase; cooling the second gas phase after mixing with the hydrate inhibitor to condense out water, and optionally a hydrocarbon condensate, while keeping the second gas phase above a hydrate formation temperature thereof; separating off condensed liquids and a third gas phase from the second gas phase, the third gas phase having a lower water dew point than the second gas phase; adding a hydrate inhibitor to the third gas phase; and separating off condensed liquids and a fourth gas phase from the third gas phase; wherein the fourth gas phase has a lower water dew point than the third gas phase; and wherein the hydrate inhibitor added to the third gas phase has a water content that is low enough to enable it to dry the third gas phase so that the fourth gas phase is able to satisfy pipeline transport specifications.