The formation of gas hydrates (GHs) in pipelines remains a major challenge to flow assurance in the oil and gas industry due to the risk of blockages during production and transportation. Despite their energy and environmental potential, gas hydrates can form and clump together, causing blockages and operational disruptions. These blockages can occur at various stages of hydrocarbon handling, including production, processing, and transportation, and also pose safety risks in pipelines and subsea production systems. Controlled hydrate formation, based on the management of thermodynamic and kinetic factors, is desirable. It allows the formation and development of hydrates to be managed in a controlled manner to prevent or reduce blockages within pipelines in order to ensure safe transport of suspensions, rather than seeking to eliminate them completely. Managing GHs through controlled formation methods improves the efficiency of oil and gas transportation in pipelines and reduces the risk of incidents due to blockages and shutdowns. In this context, environmentally friendly surface coatings appear as promising alternatives to current methods that use chemical additives and active heating, which are often costly and environmentally harmful. This review critically examines the progress made over the last decade. This study highlights the key role of wettability, roughness and interfacial surface properties in regulating the adhesion behavior of hydrates.
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