Removing heavy hydrocarbons to prevent defrost shutdowns in LNG plants

A method for preventing heat exchanger operation loss by removing contaminants, the method comprising the steps of:

• introducing a natural gas stream to an LNG facility, wherein the natural gas stream has been transported long distances in pipelines requiring compression, such that the natural gas has come into contact with a lubrication oil, wherein the lubrication oil comprises a contaminant, and wherein the natural gas stream comprises methane, ethane, and a plurality of heavy hydrocarbon species;
• reducing the temperature of the natural gas stream in a heat exchanger such that the contaminant in the lubrication oil allows for a conglomeration of the heavy hydrocarbon species;
• and
• removing the conglomeration of the heavy hydrocarbon species from the heat exchanger through a drain, such that the conglomeration of the heavy hydrocarbons is removed preventing a blockage in the heat exchanger, wherein the blockage would require a defrost to remove,
• wherein the removing step comprises removing an upstream heavy hydrocarbon stream using an upstream piping low point drain line, wherein the upstream heavy hydrocarbon stream comprises the conglomeration of the heavy hydrocarbon species, and
• wherein the contaminant is selected from a group consisting of:
• an additive in a lubrication oil additive package, a plurality of C20+ compounds, a plurality of C40+ compounds, an additive which causes conglomeration of hydrocarbons, and combinations of the same.