Multiphase Flow Meter Performance Evaluation Using Live Hydrocarbon Flow Loop Mimicking Real Field Conditions

Abstract

Abstract Over the last two decades, multiphase flow measurement (MPFM) has become accepted by the Oil & Gas industry worldwide. Nevertheless, the operators are in a pressing need to assess the measurement performances of each MPFM technology. Generally, this is performed through field trials of one or several MPFM technologies against typically a conventional test separator. In this paper, we will describe an accelerated new and cost effective methodology to evaluate the metrological performance of a multiphase flow meter in specialized facilities with live hydrocarbons mimicking the real field conditions. In this methodology, multiphase flow loops are used to reproduce real field conditions with live hydrocarbons fluids where pressure is the key parameter when attempting to mimic real multiphase flow in such controlled environment. Associated with proper test procedure design, these facilities have offered a framework to evaluate multiphase flow meters using live Hydrocarbons under comprehensive conditions in terms of flow regimes, flow rates, phase fractions distributions, salinity, pressure and temperature, ensuring good stability and very high level of accuracy in the reference measurement. The paper guides the reader through the technical considerations required to identify the flow loop test conditions and requirements and set standard procedures from an operator point of view to perform a successful performance evaluation. It also provides case studies where the performance benchmarking obtained in the flow loop has been confirmed and verified in real field conditions. Using a live hydrocarbon multiphase flow loop for evaluating and quantifying metrological performance specifications for multiphase flow meters has shown to be a very powerful and cost effective tool when associated with proper testing procedure design. This new approach also provides results that are translated to an expected and verifiable performance for real field applications with all their associated complexities. This paper provides a new testing methodology for any multiphase flow measurement technology where the conventional ways of testing may fail; it also provides valuable insight to multiphase flow meter performance measurement evaluation and specifications definition from an oil operator point of view.