METHOD FOR MANAGING HYDRATES IN A SUBSEA PRODUCTION LINE

A method for managing hydrates in a subsea pro-duction system is provided. The production system includes a host production facility, a control umbilical, at least one subsea produc-tion well, and a single production line. The method generally com-prises producing hydrocarbon fluids from the at least one subsea production well and through the production line, and then shutting in the production line. In addition, the method includes the steps of depressurizing the production line to substantially reduce a so-lution gas concentration in the produced hydrocarbon fluids, and then repressurizing the production line to urge any remaining gas in the free gas phase within the production line back into solution. The method also includes displacing production fluids within the production line by moving displacement fluids from a service line within the umbilical line and into the production line. The displace-ment fluids preferably comprise a hydrocarbon-based fluid having a low dosage hydrate inhibitor (LDHI).