Insights into methane hydrate formation, agglomeration, and dissociation in water plus diesel oil dispersed system

•Hydrate agglomeration occurs at initial hydrate formation or under shutting down stages.•The agglomeration of hydrate is inhibited and dispersed with the action of anti-agglomerants.•The appearance of surface water may cause the agglomeration of hydrate during hydrate dissociation.•A mechanism was proposed to describe hydrate dissociation from water in oil dispersed system.