ABSTRACT

A high priority and challenging task for PETRONAS R&D Centre is to obtain field-transferable laboratory data for novel technologies aiming to reduce the effect of wax deposition during offshore transportation of waxy crude. In addition to existing tools in use at PETRONAS, a bench-scale rotational apparatus described in this paper has been designed and commissioned. Performing the tests under turbulent flow is essential for obtaining "field-like" laboratory conditions and was one of the critical criteria considered for designing the new tool. A high-accuracy rheometer with a rotational parallel-plate disk ("Physica MCR") was integrated into a custom-designed base-stage and fluid conditioning system. Theoretical calculations of speed – torque operation conditions required for achieving turbulent rotational flow are further validated in the laboratory using a Particle Image Velocimeter (PIV) for direct measurement of turbulence.

Keywords:
production logging, multiphase 7, bhr group 2010, viscosity, deposition, mechanism, waxy crude, concentration, thickness, turbulent flow
Subjects:
Drilling Fluids and Materials, Well & Reservoir Surveillance and Monitoring, Pipelines, Flowlines and Risers, Production logging
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2010. BHR Group 2010 Multiphase 7
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