Modelling and Economic Evaluation of a Solar-Assisted Crude Oil Heating System for Flow Assurance in Pipeline Transportation

Aondofa Jacob Iorkyaa; Kingsley Samuel Onwuguzo; Onyeka Anthony Okpalaeze; Chukwudubem Emmanuel Uzomba; Esther Francis Akpan

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijecec.20261102.12

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Modelling and Economic Evaluation of a Solar-Assisted Crude Oil Heating System for Flow Assurance in Pipeline Transportation

Aondofa Jacob Iorkyaa^*

, Kingsley Samuel Onwuguzo

, Onyeka Anthony Okpalaeze

, Chukwudubem Emmanuel Uzomba

, Esther Francis Akpan

Published in International Journal of Electrical Components and Energy Conversion (Volume 11, Issue 2)

Received: 4 October 2026 Accepted: 16 October 2026 Published: 29 October 2026

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Abstract

Crude oil transportation in the Niger Delta requires effective thermal management to maintain flow assurance. Heat loss, wax precipitation, and increasing viscosity can restrict crude-oil flow and increase operational risks. This study developed an analytical techno-economic framework for solar-assisted heating of a representative 20 km crude-oil pipeline using Nigerian crude-oil properties and Niger Delta solar-resource data. Evacuated-tube collectors and a sensible-heat storage tank were sized, and a 25-year lifecycle cost analysis compared the hybrid solar-plus-gas system with gas-fired and electric-heating references. The model estimated a heating demand of 1.78 MW (15,622 MWh annually); polyurethane-foam insulation contributed 82.7% of total pipeline thermal resistance. An 8,549 m² collector field with 3,490 modules and a 546 m³ storage tank achieved an annual solar fraction of 38.7%. The solar system required USD 3.22 million in capital investment. After including supplementary gas for the 61.3% of annual demand not met by solar, and costing the conventional references against the full annual demand, the estimated annual OPEX was USD 139,840 for solar-assisted heating, USD 351,589 for gas-fired heating, and USD 1.698 million for electric heat tracing. Over 25 years at a 10% discount rate, the corrected lifecycle costs were USD 4.860 million, USD 5.594 million, and USD 17.316 million, respectively. The solar-assisted system had an estimated positive NPV of USD 0.734 million relative to gas-fired heating, an incremental-capital simple payback of 4.8 years, and a discounted payback of approximately 6.9 years. Its LCOH was USD 0.0343/kWh, about 13.1% below the gas-fired reference and 72.0% below electric heat tracing. Monte Carlo analysis using a simplified cash-flow formulation yielded a 100% probability of positive NPV for the investigated parameter distributions. The findings indicate potential for solar-assisted pipeline heating, but supplementary heating remains essential during low-solar periods. Pilot-scale validation and further assessment of hybrid backup strategies are recommended.

Published in	International Journal of Electrical Components and Energy Conversion (Volume 11, Issue 2)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijecec.20261102.12
Page(s)	41-61
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2026. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Solar-Assisted Pipeline Heating, Flow Assurance, Evacuated-Tube Collector, Thermal Energy Storage, Lifecycle Cost Analysis, Levelized Cost of Heat, Niger Delta

References

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Iorkyaa, A. J., Onwuguzo, K. S., Okpalaeze, O. A., Uzomba, C. E., Akpan, E. F. (2026). Modelling and Economic Evaluation of a Solar-Assisted Crude Oil Heating System for Flow Assurance in Pipeline Transportation. International Journal of Electrical Components and Energy Conversion, 11(2), 41-61. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijecec.20261102.12

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ACS Style

Iorkyaa, A. J.; Onwuguzo, K. S.; Okpalaeze, O. A.; Uzomba, C. E.; Akpan, E. F. Modelling and Economic Evaluation of a Solar-Assisted Crude Oil Heating System for Flow Assurance in Pipeline Transportation. Int. J. Electr. Compon. Energy Convers. 2026, 11(2), 41-61. doi: 10.11648/j.ijecec.20261102.12

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AMA Style

Iorkyaa AJ, Onwuguzo KS, Okpalaeze OA, Uzomba CE, Akpan EF. Modelling and Economic Evaluation of a Solar-Assisted Crude Oil Heating System for Flow Assurance in Pipeline Transportation. Int J Electr Compon Energy Convers. 2026;11(2):41-61. doi: 10.11648/j.ijecec.20261102.12

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@article{10.11648/j.ijecec.20261102.12,
  author = {Aondofa Jacob Iorkyaa and Kingsley Samuel Onwuguzo and Onyeka Anthony Okpalaeze and Chukwudubem Emmanuel Uzomba and Esther Francis Akpan},
  title = {Modelling and Economic Evaluation of a Solar-Assisted Crude Oil Heating System for Flow Assurance in Pipeline Transportation},
  journal = {International Journal of Electrical Components and Energy Conversion},
  volume = {11},
  number = {2},
  pages = {41-61},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijecec.20261102.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijecec.20261102.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijecec.20261102.12},
  abstract = {Crude oil transportation in the Niger Delta requires effective thermal management to maintain flow assurance. Heat loss, wax precipitation, and increasing viscosity can restrict crude-oil flow and increase operational risks. This study developed an analytical techno-economic framework for solar-assisted heating of a representative 20 km crude-oil pipeline using Nigerian crude-oil properties and Niger Delta solar-resource data. Evacuated-tube collectors and a sensible-heat storage tank were sized, and a 25-year lifecycle cost analysis compared the hybrid solar-plus-gas system with gas-fired and electric-heating references. The model estimated a heating demand of 1.78 MW (15,622 MWh annually); polyurethane-foam insulation contributed 82.7% of total pipeline thermal resistance. An 8,549 m2 collector field with 3,490 modules and a 546 m³ storage tank achieved an annual solar fraction of 38.7%. The solar system required USD 3.22 million in capital investment. After including supplementary gas for the 61.3% of annual demand not met by solar, and costing the conventional references against the full annual demand, the estimated annual OPEX was USD 139,840 for solar-assisted heating, USD 351,589 for gas-fired heating, and USD 1.698 million for electric heat tracing. Over 25 years at a 10% discount rate, the corrected lifecycle costs were USD 4.860 million, USD 5.594 million, and USD 17.316 million, respectively. The solar-assisted system had an estimated positive NPV of USD 0.734 million relative to gas-fired heating, an incremental-capital simple payback of 4.8 years, and a discounted payback of approximately 6.9 years. Its LCOH was USD 0.0343/kWh, about 13.1% below the gas-fired reference and 72.0% below electric heat tracing. Monte Carlo analysis using a simplified cash-flow formulation yielded a 100% probability of positive NPV for the investigated parameter distributions. The findings indicate potential for solar-assisted pipeline heating, but supplementary heating remains essential during low-solar periods. Pilot-scale validation and further assessment of hybrid backup strategies are recommended.},
 year = {2026}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Modelling and Economic Evaluation of a Solar-Assisted Crude Oil Heating System for Flow Assurance in Pipeline Transportation
AU  - Aondofa Jacob Iorkyaa
AU  - Kingsley Samuel Onwuguzo
AU  - Onyeka Anthony Okpalaeze
AU  - Chukwudubem Emmanuel Uzomba
AU  - Esther Francis Akpan
Y1  - 2026/10/29
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijecec.20261102.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijecec.20261102.12
T2  - International Journal of Electrical Components and Energy Conversion
JF  - International Journal of Electrical Components and Energy Conversion
JO  - International Journal of Electrical Components and Energy Conversion
SP  - 41
EP  - 61
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2469-8059
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijecec.20261102.12
AB  - Crude oil transportation in the Niger Delta requires effective thermal management to maintain flow assurance. Heat loss, wax precipitation, and increasing viscosity can restrict crude-oil flow and increase operational risks. This study developed an analytical techno-economic framework for solar-assisted heating of a representative 20 km crude-oil pipeline using Nigerian crude-oil properties and Niger Delta solar-resource data. Evacuated-tube collectors and a sensible-heat storage tank were sized, and a 25-year lifecycle cost analysis compared the hybrid solar-plus-gas system with gas-fired and electric-heating references. The model estimated a heating demand of 1.78 MW (15,622 MWh annually); polyurethane-foam insulation contributed 82.7% of total pipeline thermal resistance. An 8,549 m2 collector field with 3,490 modules and a 546 m³ storage tank achieved an annual solar fraction of 38.7%. The solar system required USD 3.22 million in capital investment. After including supplementary gas for the 61.3% of annual demand not met by solar, and costing the conventional references against the full annual demand, the estimated annual OPEX was USD 139,840 for solar-assisted heating, USD 351,589 for gas-fired heating, and USD 1.698 million for electric heat tracing. Over 25 years at a 10% discount rate, the corrected lifecycle costs were USD 4.860 million, USD 5.594 million, and USD 17.316 million, respectively. The solar-assisted system had an estimated positive NPV of USD 0.734 million relative to gas-fired heating, an incremental-capital simple payback of 4.8 years, and a discounted payback of approximately 6.9 years. Its LCOH was USD 0.0343/kWh, about 13.1% below the gas-fired reference and 72.0% below electric heat tracing. Monte Carlo analysis using a simplified cash-flow formulation yielded a 100% probability of positive NPV for the investigated parameter distributions. The findings indicate potential for solar-assisted pipeline heating, but supplementary heating remains essential during low-solar periods. Pilot-scale validation and further assessment of hybrid backup strategies are recommended.
VL  - 11
IS  - 2
ER  -

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Author Information

Aondofa Jacob Iorkyaa

Department of Petroleum Engineering, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0006-3291-7886
Kingsley Samuel Onwuguzo

Department of Petroleum Engineering, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria

http://orcid.org/0009-0005-2597-9627
Onyeka Anthony Okpalaeze

Department of Chemical Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria

http://orcid.org/0009-0002-2762-9768
Chukwudubem Emmanuel Uzomba

Department of Petroleum Engineering, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria

http://orcid.org/0009-0005-9984-4346
Esther Francis Akpan

Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria

http://orcid.org/0009-0004-2848-100X

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Iorkyaa, A. J., Onwuguzo, K. S., Okpalaeze, O. A., Uzomba, C. E., Akpan, E. F. (2026). Modelling and Economic Evaluation of a Solar-Assisted Crude Oil Heating System for Flow Assurance in Pipeline Transportation. International Journal of Electrical Components and Energy Conversion, 11(2), 41-61. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijecec.20261102.12

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ACS Style

Iorkyaa, A. J.; Onwuguzo, K. S.; Okpalaeze, O. A.; Uzomba, C. E.; Akpan, E. F. Modelling and Economic Evaluation of a Solar-Assisted Crude Oil Heating System for Flow Assurance in Pipeline Transportation. Int. J. Electr. Compon. Energy Convers. 2026, 11(2), 41-61. doi: 10.11648/j.ijecec.20261102.12

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AMA Style

Iorkyaa AJ, Onwuguzo KS, Okpalaeze OA, Uzomba CE, Akpan EF. Modelling and Economic Evaluation of a Solar-Assisted Crude Oil Heating System for Flow Assurance in Pipeline Transportation. Int J Electr Compon Energy Convers. 2026;11(2):41-61. doi: 10.11648/j.ijecec.20261102.12

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ijecec.20261102.12,
  author = {Aondofa Jacob Iorkyaa and Kingsley Samuel Onwuguzo and Onyeka Anthony Okpalaeze and Chukwudubem Emmanuel Uzomba and Esther Francis Akpan},
  title = {Modelling and Economic Evaluation of a Solar-Assisted Crude Oil Heating System for Flow Assurance in Pipeline Transportation},
  journal = {International Journal of Electrical Components and Energy Conversion},
  volume = {11},
  number = {2},
  pages = {41-61},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijecec.20261102.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijecec.20261102.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijecec.20261102.12},
  abstract = {Crude oil transportation in the Niger Delta requires effective thermal management to maintain flow assurance. Heat loss, wax precipitation, and increasing viscosity can restrict crude-oil flow and increase operational risks. This study developed an analytical techno-economic framework for solar-assisted heating of a representative 20 km crude-oil pipeline using Nigerian crude-oil properties and Niger Delta solar-resource data. Evacuated-tube collectors and a sensible-heat storage tank were sized, and a 25-year lifecycle cost analysis compared the hybrid solar-plus-gas system with gas-fired and electric-heating references. The model estimated a heating demand of 1.78 MW (15,622 MWh annually); polyurethane-foam insulation contributed 82.7% of total pipeline thermal resistance. An 8,549 m2 collector field with 3,490 modules and a 546 m³ storage tank achieved an annual solar fraction of 38.7%. The solar system required USD 3.22 million in capital investment. After including supplementary gas for the 61.3% of annual demand not met by solar, and costing the conventional references against the full annual demand, the estimated annual OPEX was USD 139,840 for solar-assisted heating, USD 351,589 for gas-fired heating, and USD 1.698 million for electric heat tracing. Over 25 years at a 10% discount rate, the corrected lifecycle costs were USD 4.860 million, USD 5.594 million, and USD 17.316 million, respectively. The solar-assisted system had an estimated positive NPV of USD 0.734 million relative to gas-fired heating, an incremental-capital simple payback of 4.8 years, and a discounted payback of approximately 6.9 years. Its LCOH was USD 0.0343/kWh, about 13.1% below the gas-fired reference and 72.0% below electric heat tracing. Monte Carlo analysis using a simplified cash-flow formulation yielded a 100% probability of positive NPV for the investigated parameter distributions. The findings indicate potential for solar-assisted pipeline heating, but supplementary heating remains essential during low-solar periods. Pilot-scale validation and further assessment of hybrid backup strategies are recommended.},
 year = {2026}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Modelling and Economic Evaluation of a Solar-Assisted Crude Oil Heating System for Flow Assurance in Pipeline Transportation
AU  - Aondofa Jacob Iorkyaa
AU  - Kingsley Samuel Onwuguzo
AU  - Onyeka Anthony Okpalaeze
AU  - Chukwudubem Emmanuel Uzomba
AU  - Esther Francis Akpan
Y1  - 2026/10/29
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijecec.20261102.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijecec.20261102.12
T2  - International Journal of Electrical Components and Energy Conversion
JF  - International Journal of Electrical Components and Energy Conversion
JO  - International Journal of Electrical Components and Energy Conversion
SP  - 41
EP  - 61
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2469-8059
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijecec.20261102.12
AB  - Crude oil transportation in the Niger Delta requires effective thermal management to maintain flow assurance. Heat loss, wax precipitation, and increasing viscosity can restrict crude-oil flow and increase operational risks. This study developed an analytical techno-economic framework for solar-assisted heating of a representative 20 km crude-oil pipeline using Nigerian crude-oil properties and Niger Delta solar-resource data. Evacuated-tube collectors and a sensible-heat storage tank were sized, and a 25-year lifecycle cost analysis compared the hybrid solar-plus-gas system with gas-fired and electric-heating references. The model estimated a heating demand of 1.78 MW (15,622 MWh annually); polyurethane-foam insulation contributed 82.7% of total pipeline thermal resistance. An 8,549 m2 collector field with 3,490 modules and a 546 m³ storage tank achieved an annual solar fraction of 38.7%. The solar system required USD 3.22 million in capital investment. After including supplementary gas for the 61.3% of annual demand not met by solar, and costing the conventional references against the full annual demand, the estimated annual OPEX was USD 139,840 for solar-assisted heating, USD 351,589 for gas-fired heating, and USD 1.698 million for electric heat tracing. Over 25 years at a 10% discount rate, the corrected lifecycle costs were USD 4.860 million, USD 5.594 million, and USD 17.316 million, respectively. The solar-assisted system had an estimated positive NPV of USD 0.734 million relative to gas-fired heating, an incremental-capital simple payback of 4.8 years, and a discounted payback of approximately 6.9 years. Its LCOH was USD 0.0343/kWh, about 13.1% below the gas-fired reference and 72.0% below electric heat tracing. Monte Carlo analysis using a simplified cash-flow formulation yielded a 100% probability of positive NPV for the investigated parameter distributions. The findings indicate potential for solar-assisted pipeline heating, but supplementary heating remains essential during low-solar periods. Pilot-scale validation and further assessment of hybrid backup strategies are recommended.
VL  - 11
IS  - 2
ER  -

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