Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Kaura 2005
Kaura 2005
Successful Field Surveillance Using Portable Multi-Phase Flow Meter in a High Gas-
Volume Fraction and High Water-Cut Application in East Kalimantan, Indonesia
S. Wangsa and R. Latief, Total Indonesia, and J. Kaura, D. Finley, and A. Ogilvie, Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
and optimize the gas-lift injection, a continuous and consistent (γ), water (β) and gas (α) are calculated from the equations
well-performance monitoring technique that used the temporary above.
testing facilities was required. Due to the logistics of the swamp
well locations, it was difficult to obtain direct measurement of The Water-in-Liquid Ratio (WLR) is defined as:
produced oil from each well, and with the time interval between
well tests continuing to increase (more than one month between β
tests), the field performance could not be properly evaluated. WLR = . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(2)
If the use of a portable MPFM could achieve quicker turn- β +γ
around time and effective work-over decisions, the MPFM The set of equations for the calculation of flow rates are
measurements could be used to: listed below:
• improve production allocations (calibration of current
procedure) Oil Flow Rate = A ⋅ V ⋅ γ
• identify trends per zone (shallow, main, deep, etc.) to Water Flow Rate = A ⋅ V ⋅ β . . . . . . . . . . (3)
better define priorities for work-overs
• identify work required on surface facilities. Gas Flow Rate = A ⋅ V ⋅ α
Multi-Phase Meter Operating Principle The cross sectional area of the pipe (A) is known, based on
The major parts of this MPFM are the Venturi insert and the the geometry of the Venturi; the velocity (V) is measured by
electrodes incorporated within the throat of the Venturi insert. cross-correlating the electrical signals from the electrodes; and
The flow rates of oil, water, and gas are calculated based on the the fractions of oil, water and gas are found from the set of three
measurements obtained by the electrodes and the measurement equations for the fractions, as indicated above.
of the differential pressure across the Venturi inlet. No
separating devices, mixers, by-pass lines or radioactive sources Operating Envelope
are used in this MPFM concept. Figure 1 shows the cross- The operational range for this multiphase meter is shown in
sectional view of the meter. The principle of operation is Figure 3. To make the diagram independent of piping and meter
summarized in the block diagram shown in Figure 2. The dimensions, the term flow rate divided by the pipe cross section
differential pressure is measured across the inlet of the Venturi area (also known as the superficial velocity) on the axes has
insert. The capacitance or conductance of the mixture flowing been used. This velocity can be explained also as the velocity of
through the Venturi insert is measured by the electrodes inside one phase, based on its flow rate, if the other phases were not
the Venturi throat. The velocity is found from cross-correlating present. The maximum limit (red line) of the operating range is
the high resolution time signals from pairs of electrodes within determined solely by the maximum limit of the differential
the Venturi insert. pressure cell. In this case, it is 2500 bar. The minimum limit
Unlike most other MPFMs, the MPFM used here does not (blue line) is determined by the lower limit of the differential
measure the fluid-mixture density directly, as there is no gamma pressure cell, as shown in the bottom left corner of the diagram
densitometer. However, the density is determined indirectly (solid blue line).
through the momentum equation (i.e., the “Venturi equation”). However, two other important effects have impact on the
The set of equations used in the calculations of the fractions lower limit of the range:
are listed below: A minimum liquid flow rate is needed to create a continuous
flow through the meter. This means that a certain momentum is
Cap . /Cond . = f (α , β , γ , ε oil / σ water ) 1) required to prevent back flow through the main metering section
in which the velocity is measured by cross-correlation. In this
Density = f ( DP,Velocity) = f (α , β , γ , ρ o , ρ w , ρ g ) . . (1) MPFM, this limit is lower than most other multi-phase flow
meters because of the fact that the velocity is measured in the
α + β + ρ = 1.0 Venturi throat, and thereby, creates a higher velocity. The limit
1)
Capacitance and oil permittivity (εoil) apply for oil-continuous is set at a superficial liquid velocity of 0.6 m/s (blue horizontal
mixtures while conductance and water conductivity (σwater) apply for line) in the main pipe line. An upper limit for the GVF is set at
water-continuous mixtures. 97% (dotted and blue line).
Capacitance or conductance, DP, and velocity are the input Initial Well Test Set-up Description and Results
measurements and are being measured by the electrodes and DP The initial well tests were conducted on a testing barge that
transmitter. The permittivity of the oil (εoil), water conductivity consisted of the standard well-test equipment with a three-phase
(σwater) and densities of oil, water and gas (ρo, ρw, ρg) are input separator and an atmospheric tank. The well-test equipment
parameters entered into the user interface. The fractions of oil occupied the majority of the topside on this 20 meter barge. The
MPFM was installed upstream between the wellhead and the
SPE 92053 3
choke manifold. The first set of well tests from the MPFM was ensure that the other essential parameters such as the superficial
not very promising when compared to the results obtained from liquid velocity (VLS) through the meter and the DP across the
the well test equipment. The MPFM total liquid rate was within MPFM did not fall below the minimum required to obtain
±25% of the separator readings, and the gas rate was within reliable data. As a result, a control valve was placed on the gas
±30%. The following subsections address in detail why the test line in order to assist with the above objective of reducing the
results deviated from those derived from traditional well-testing GVF while ensuring that at the same time, the required
results. conditions were met. Based on the fluid flow rates from the
wells being monitored, it was virtually impossible to achieve
Liquid Rate Comparison complete separation of the flow through the GVF control
Figure 4 shows the liquid rate comparison between the MPFM system. The GVF control system would partially remove some
and the three-phase separator reading after the first set of trials. of the gas before the multiphase flow enters the MPFM. The
It can be seen that the liquid rate is underestimated by the partially separated gas was measured using a separate gas meter,
MPFM. This is primarily due to the relatively high GVF of the and then, combined downstream of the MPFM with the gas
fluid going through the meter. The GVF was so high that it going through the MPFM to allow the total flow to go to the
overshadows the liquid droplets in the flow, and as a result, the pipeline carrying the gas to the gathering station. Figure 7 is a
liquid rate estimated was lower than the liquid actually flowing representation of the gas measurement using the MPFM and the
through the MPFM. GKO vessel. This is solved mathematically with:
reliable results; i.e., reducing the uncertainty related to the liquid GVF of the fluid flowing through the MPFM, the wells were in
flow rates and improve the accuracy. Figure 8 shows the the optimum part of the operating envelope. The uncertainty of
production and ID of the section where the GKO vessel change liquid measurement was reduced. Hence, results obtained for all
was implemented. Figure 9 shows the picture of the actual the fluid rates through the system were within the tolerance level
system after assembly. Upon deploying the system back into the of ±10% as specified by the operating company.
field on the same wells, favorable results were observed. These
are described below. Conclusions
Upon deploying the system back into the field, the same The following results have been obtained from the modifications
wells were tested again in order to verify the accuracy of the applied to the MPFM
modified MPFM system. Again, the results were favorable. • A simple and rugged gas-knock-out vessel design was
successfully applied in a field application and achieved high
Liquid Rate Comparison efficiency with the MPFM in this welltest application.
It can be seen in Figure 10 that the majority of the data points • The liquid-rate measurement uncertainty in a high-gas-
for the liquid flow rate are within the allowable error margin of volume fraction (GVF) environment can be reduced to
±10%. The results are shown in the comparison of the flow-rate provide better results by the use of a GVF control
readings between the MPFM and the standard well-test mechanism. This can be seen by the reduction in deviation
separator. These improved results are owing to the reduced GVF of the liquid-rate measurement from ±30% to ±10%. For the
going through the MPFM, which provides optimum conditions purposes of definition, deviation here is the difference
for the meter. between the flowing rates measured from the MPFM
It can be seen that there are two data points in Figure 10 that against that measured from the test separator.
are outside the prescribed limit, and these are attributed to the • The reduction in GVF was between 6% and 12%. This was
following conditions: dependent upon the varying flowing conditions in the wells
1. The point in the upper half of the diagonal in the graph is included in this case history.
due to the initial fine tuning problems with the gas • The MPFM with the GKO vessel is cost effective and
knock-out separator. inherently safe when compared to the traditional ways of
2. The second point in the lower half of the diagonal in the field surveillance, which employ a test separator, calibration
graph is due to low liquid rates going through the meter, vessels, burner booms, and additional piping. This cost
and as a result of the low liquid rate, the MPFM is at a efficiency results from the reduction in equipment needed as
lower operating limit with regards to the DP and VLS. well as the approximately 60% reduction in manpower
This shows that when the operating limits of the meter required to manage the equipment. In addition to providing
are not maintained, it cannot achieve reliable liquid greater cost efficiency, reducing manpower exposure to
readings. hazardous operating conditions and areas enhances
personnel safety.
Gas Rate Comparison • This system has preferred application in areas with strict
The gas-rate comparison between the MPFM and the separator environmental codes relating to flaring of the hydrocarbons.
is shown Figure 11. It is observed that majority of the gas This is due to the inherent measurement technique, which
measurement points are within the required ±10% deviation does not require separation of the liquid and gas for
margin compared to the standard-condition flow rate derived metering. Traditional field surveillance equipment requires
from the separator calculations. the separated gas to be flared unless an expensive
compression system is available to compress the gas and
GVF Reduction inject it back in to the pipeline.
The tests performed with the GKO vessel resulted in the desired • As it stands today, MPFM technology is applicable to oil-
lower GVF going through the MPFM. The reduction in the GVF bearing fields with gas-volume fractions (GVF) of up to
was between 6 to 12 percent, depending upon which well was 85% at flowing wellhead conditions. However, beyond this
tested. Figure 12 shows the GVF before and after using the GVF, the uncertainty associated with the MPFM reading
GVF control system during a well test on a particular well. It can increases. Use of the gas knock-out vessel has reduced this
be seen that the reduction in GVF is achieved as soon as the uncertainty, and as a result, has shifted the operating
GKO vessel is operated to control the GVF. The change in the envelope towards the “Optimum” region of the MPFM
GVF was closely monitored on all the wells and recorded during operating envelope. This has resulted in increased operator
the entire test period. The gas line on the GKO separator was confidence in the system.
intermittently checked for any liquid carryover. No signs of • The footprint of the MPFM is very small, and with the
liquid carryover or traces of liquid were seen in the gas line. inclusion of gas knock-out vessel, there is no significant
Figure 13 is a bar-graph illustrating GVF comparison for increase in the systems footprint. In addition, the physics of
different wells on which the system was tested before and after measurement of this particular MPFM; i.e., no radioactive
the GVF control skid was used. Upon achieving the reduction in source for density determination, makes this system
SPE 92053 5
WC Flow
Fraction Oil
Rate
Models Models
Density GVF
Water
Capacitance and
Conductance
Electrodes
X-Correlation (Velocity) Gas
Venturi for
Differential
Pressure
Flow Direction
10,0
Max limit
Liquid Flow Rate / Pipe area [ m/s ]
8,0
Min limit
DP Min limit
VLS = 0,6 m/s
6,0
GVF = 97 %
4,0
Operational Range
TopFlow Multiphase
Multi-Phase Meter
Flow Meter
2,0
0,0
0 5 10 15 20 25
Actual Gas Flow Rate / Pipe area [ m/s ]
Figure 3 ― Operating Envelope of the MPFM
OUTPUT
3000
FastQ
3" FastQ meter
Liquid Flow Rate
Balikpapan
2500
TFE
INPUT
2000
Flow With
Extremely
FastQ (bpd)
High Water
Cut (80 –
100%) 1000
500
0
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000
OUTPUT
2500
– 99%) &
Very High
Water Cut
(80 to 100%) 1000
500
0
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500
Separator (mscfd)
MPFM
Gas
meter
Partial Gas
scrubbing MPFM
system
2” 2” gas
wellstream
Production Gas
Wing Valve 6” dia X Turbine
Swab PI Meter
ES 10’ height MPFM
Valve
DV
Service
Wing 39 Master
39 Valves 2” liquid
Annulus 39
Valves
39 Knock Out Pot
FROM
RESERVOIR
Gas Outlet
Gas KO
pot
Multiphase
MPFM
Fluid Inlet
OUTPUT
Liquid Rate Comparison between the FastQ & Separator with the Gas KO in use
3000
INPUT 2700
Extremely 2100
High GVF (90
– 99%) & 1800
Very High
Separator
– 100%) 1200
900
600
300
0
0 300 600 900 1200 1500 1800 2100 2400 2700 3000
FastQ w ith the gas KO pot
OUTPUT
Gas Rate
LiquidComparison Between
Rate Comparison between the MPFM
the FastQ & Separator and
with the Gas KO inSeparator
use
With the Gas KO in Use.
3000
INPUT 2700
Flow with
2400
Extremely 2100
High GVF (90
– 99%) & 1800
Very High
Separator
1500
Water Cut (80
– 100%) 1200
900
600
300
0
0 300 600 900 1200 1500 1800 2100 2400 2700 3000
FastQ w ith the gas KO pot
0.9
0.85
GVF through the meter
when the GKO pot is
clos ed.
0.75
GVF through the m eter
when the GKO pot is
opened.
0.7
0.65
11:45:00
11:53:00
12:01:00
12:09:00
12:33:00
12:41:00
12:49:00
12:57:00
13:13:00
13:29:00
13:37:00
13:45:00
13:53:00
14:30:00
14:46:00
15:02:00
15:10:00
15:18:00
15:26:00
15:50:00
15:58:00
16:06:00
16:14:00
16:22:00
16:30:00
16:54:00
11:37:00
12:17:00
12:25:00
13:05:00
13:21:00
14:38:00
14:54:00
15:34:00
15:42:00
16:38:00
16:46:00
hh.mm
120
GVF before deploying GKO pot
GVF after deploying GKO pot
100
80
GVF
60
40
20
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Wells
Figure 13 ― GVF comparison before and after use of the GKO vessel.