Multi-Phase Flow Meter (MPFM) Timeline – 1985 - 2025

National Engineering
Laboratory Leads EMPIR Design and
Real-Time Intercomparison Project - Construction of
Visualisation MultiFlowMet I Advanced Multi-Phase
Facility
Evaluation of Electrical National Engineering Laboratory leads
National Capacitance Tomography (ECT) for the first ever multi-phase intercomparison
multi-phase flow measurement A new, world-first facility
Engineering exercise, which aims to increase dedicated to the study of multi-
harmonisation of MPFM testing and phase and wet-gas flows at
Laboratory enhance multi-phase flow modelling high pressures (up to 140 bar)
MPFM In Situ is constructed, allowing study
Capability
Calibration under real process conditions
Benchmark Ultrasonic to Generate across the full gas volume
JIP Multiflow 1 of Gas Flow 4-Phase CFD Multiphase Flow Pattern
test came from Flow Meters Different fraction (GVF) at pipe diameters
the learning in Rates for Multiphase up to 12” Maps JRP
Flow
Evaluation of the first generation Multiflow 1 & An experimental Simulation
of MPFM’s Multiflow 2 Regimes on
Sonic nozzles are array of USM’s This Joint Research Project (JRP) aims to
fitted that allow and level Demand Wet Gas Demonstration use National Engineering Laboratory’s new
Development Equipment Upgrade to
in situ calibration measurement Facility of world leading Advanced Multiphase Facility to create
of the turbine sensors was The unique ability of tomography capability to do Lower Uncertainties a new generation of multiphase flow
Crude Oil Neural Heavy Oil Moved and
reference meters constructed to inject any phase 4-phase CFD maps under realistic process conditions to
Single Phase Meters Capability Networks for gas flow. This and tested for Capability at any point of Upgraded Allows real time simulations The reference densitometers replace the decades old data used today
allows frequent the metering the test section, visualisation at the with all phase used to quantify phase that was acquired under condition far from
Investigated various gas The ability to Evaluation of calibration thereby of multi-phase The ability to allowing different The rig is moved wellhead and flow interactions contamination, are upgraded to those observed in the field. This will allow
and oil mixing techniques to handle crude oil neural networks minimising the flows, achieving handle heavy oil flow regimes to a new building pattern detection parameterised, more accurate Coriolis-based manufacturers to increase the accuracy of
improve the accuracy of a in the facility is for high accuracy contribution of uncertainties of in the facility is to be created and upgraded to using Electrical and validate these devices, leading to lower MPFM’s which are based upon these maps,
standard turbine meter when demonstrated for multi-phase flow drift to the overall ±5% on gas and demonstrated for on demand, is handle 3 phases Capacitance against 3-phase uncertainties, including for and improve the reliability of simulation
used in gas and oil flows the first time analysis uncertainties ±40% on liquid. the first time demonstrated (water, oil & gas) Tomography (ECT) experiments water cut techniques widely used by industry

1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025

Cross World’s First Full Scale Multi- Flow Pattern High Pressure Water-Cut JIP Multiflow 3 Heavy Oils & Erosion Rig Saline API Standard MPFM Diagnostics
Correlation Phase Flow Facility Mapping Wet Gas Facility Device Test Emulsions Constructed Capability
Flow Meters Capability • Assess claims made for in- National Engineering Laboratory involved in Having collected three years
Following industry engagement on Vertical & Construction of National line MPFM’s with improved National Allows The ability to development of an API standard for MPFM’s worth of MPFM diagnostics on
specification, construction of a state-of-the-art horizontal 3-phase Engineering Laboratory’s uncertainty, improved Engineering experimental operate with a the Advanced Multiphase Facility,
Development of It is shown that sensors (nuclear gamma, creation of a tool to use diagnostic
signal analysis facility equipped with x-ray tomography for flow mapping & wet gas test loop rated the facility can Laboratory erosion studies saline water phase
2D flow visualisation, gamma densitometers, modelling slug to 63 barg pressure, dielectric, microwave) introduced heavy for validation of in the facility is information to provide real-time
techniques in operate with In-Situ Verification of MPFM’s feedback on MPFM performance
conjunction with perspex visualisation windows and USM’s flow to address industry’s 2 components • Evaluated new to the market oil and emulsion commonly used demonstrated for
2-phase (water & gas) high GVF based MPFM’s testing to support CFD modelling at the first time and further information on the
flow conditioners (water & oil) over ISCF funded project to develop methods for process stream
to enable CCF’s to testing needs the complete • Evaluated the sensitivity heavy oil fields solids levels as
high as 10%. the in-situ verification and calibration of
be used in gas and 0-100% fraction of MPFM PVT models MPFM’s, with the aim of greatly reducing the
oil flows range, allowing to variations in physical Subsequently cost of their deployment, and increasing the
the accurate properties numerous accuracy achieved over their service life
testing of water- manufacturers
cut devices use the rig for
JIP - Multi-Phase JIP Multiflow 2 lifetime-based
Automatic Sampling erosion studies of National Engineering Laboratory
• Evaluation of MPFM’s from 10 components Leads EMPIR Intercomparison
Water-in-oil testing at National operators and 6 meter manufacturers, Project - MultiFlowMet II
Engineering Laboratory to develop with 7 technologies evaluated
sampling systems and techniques • Discovered performance of MPFM’s Multiphase Erosion Modelling
with 15 partners Project aims to follow of from previous
degraded at high gas volume fractions intercomparison exercise by increasing
(GVF’s) – resulting in a change of National Engineering Laboratory collaborates with Schlumberger the number of manufacturers and
approach to develop experimentally validated CFD models of erosion under testing facilities participating
• Looked at performance versus multiphase conditions
viscosity and salinity change

Creation of Standard Establishing the True

Impacts Performance of MPFM’s JIP
National Engineering Laboratory
MMs installed worldwide chairs development of the first This JIP will provide independent
National Engineering Laboratory has led the world in the development of multiphase and wet-gas flow understanding ISO standard covering multi- benchmarking and performance testing of
8000
phase flow measurement: ISO/ MPFM’s with the aim of creating industry
7000
TR 21354. Due for publication in and regulator confidence in the devices
National Engineering Laboratory work has greatly accelerated the development of MPFM’s and their implementation by Dec 2018
By creating this confidence, more
6000
industry users widespread adoption of the technology,
5000 and use for new applications such as fiscal
metering, will be enabled
STANDARDS AND INDUSTRY GUIDANCE National Engineering Laboratory built the world’s first full scale multiphase facility in the late 80’s, and is now building a world 4000 8000
first facility for the study of multiphase flows under realistic process conditions - the Advanced Multiphase Facility 3000
INTERNAL RESEARCH Multi-Phase Flow Visualisation
2000
3314
CAPABILITY DEVELOPMENT National Engineering Laboratoryhas led the development of the first multiphase flow standard 1000 Flow programme project to use X-ray
1600 tomography for the visualisation of multi-
COLLABORATIVE WORK WITH EXTERNAL PARTNERS 0 phase flow patterns
2005 2010 2017
98% of the MPFM types in-service worldwide today have been tested at National Engineering Laboratory
JOINT INDUSTRY PROJECTS (JIP’S) Sources: 2005 & 2010 Oil & Gas Journal,
2017 Market Review