Field trial of a gamma-ray multiphase flow meter on Thevenard Island

Abstract

A multiphase flow meter (MFM) for the determination of the flow rates of oil, water and gas in oil well production pipelines has been trialed at Thevenard Island on Australia's North-West Shelf. The flow meter is based on two γ-ray transmission gauges mounted on a pipe carrying the full flow of oil, water and gas. Measurements were made with two MFMs mounted on a test pipeline linking the test manifold and the test separator. One was mounted on a vertical (upflow) pipeline, and the other on, in different phases of the trial, a vertical (downflow) section of the pipeline and two different horizontal positions. The MFMs measured flows of oil, water and gas from eight single wells and up to 17 commingled flows of two or more wells. These flows were in the range of 6570-33,500 BPD for liquids and 1200-4500 MSCF/D for gas. Water cut ranged from 25% to 95.6%. The MFM mounted on the vertical upflow pipeline determined the flow rates to 4.0% relative for liquids, 7.5% for oil, 4.5% for water and 7.9% for gas. Water cut was determined to 3.6% relative. The MFM mounted on the vertical downflow pipeline determined flow rates to 3.3% relative for liquids, 6.1% for oil, 4.5% for water and 7.7% for gas. Water cut was determined to 3.7%. These relative errors include both separator and MFM errors