Abstract
Previous multiphase pipe flow tests have mainly been conducted in horizontal and vertical pipes, with few tests conducted on multiphase pipe flow under different inclined angles. In this study, in light of mid–high yield and highly deviated wells in the Middle East and on the basis of existent multiphase flow pressure research on well bores, multiphase pipe flow tests were conducted under different inclined angles, liquid rates, and gas rates. A pressure prediction model based on Mukherjee model, but with new coefficients and higher accuracy for well bores in the study block, was obtained. It was verified that the newly built pressure drawdown prediction model tallies better with experimental data, with an error of only 11.3%. The effect of inclination, output, and gas rate on the flow pattern, liquid holdup, and friction in the course of multiphase flow were analyzed comprehensively, and six kinds of classical flow regime maps were verified with this model. The results showed that for annular and slug flow, the Mukherjee flow pattern map had a higher accuracy of 100% and 80–100%, respectively. For transition flow, Duns and Ros flow pattern map had a higher accuracy of 46–66%.
Highlights
Multiphase flow of oil, gas, and water universally exist in the course of oil and gas exploitation as the multiphase flow in well bores have a great impact on the selection of rational oil production method, the adjustment of production parameters, improvement in lift efficiency, and achievement of optimal profits [1,2,3]
At the same liquid volume, as the gas volume increases, the flow pattern in the horizontal state tends to convert from laminar flow to slug flow and to transition flow, whereas in the inclined state, the flow pattern tends to convert from slug flow to transition flow and to annular flow
The Beggs–Brill flow pattern map, Mukerherjee flow pattern map, and Aziz flow pattern map are the most accurate for the judgment of annular flow, with an accuracy of 100%; the Mukherjee flow pattern map and Duns and Ros flow pattern map have a 80–100% accuracy in judging slug flow; and the Duns and Ros flow pattern map has a 46–66%
Summary
Multiphase flow of oil, gas, and water universally exist in the course of oil and gas exploitation as the multiphase flow in well bores have a great impact on the selection of rational oil production method, the adjustment of production parameters, improvement in lift efficiency, and achievement of optimal profits [1,2,3]. In line with multiple well types, complicated casing program, various inclined angles, high production proration of single well, high gas–oil ratio (GOR > 100 m3 /m3 ), low viscosity (1.2–5.7 cp), and heavy crude (19–29 API◦ ) in the Middle East, it is necessary to conduct experimental research on multiphase pipe flow at high yield and different inclined angles This will help find the flow patterns of gas and liquid in oil wells with high yield and different inclined angles accurately and optimize the multiphase flow pressure gradient computation method suitable for high-yield inclined pipes
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