Gas hydrates are complex lattice structures composed of water molecules in a crystalline structure:

Resembles dirty ice but has voids into which gas molecules will fit Most common compounds , Water, methane, and propane ,Water, methane, and ethane

The physical appearance resembles a wet, slushy snow until they are trapped in a restriction and exposed to differential pressure, at which time they become very solid structures, similar to compacting snow into a snow ball

Why Is Hydrate Control Necessary?

Gas hydrates accumulate at restrictions in flowlines, chokes, valves, and instrumentation and accumulates into the liquid collection section of vessels.

Gas hydrates plug and reduce line capacity, cause physical damage to chokes and instrumentation, and cause separation problems