Abstract
The paper describes the challenges and uncertainties associated with the accurate flow measurement of gas, oil and water and also the results of a trial test conducted using four multiphase flow meters in wet gas-condensate producers at a wide range of flowing conditions. The measurement of these three phases is very critical for the reservoir monitoring and production diagnostics and obtaining the accurate three-phase data poses a significant challenge for the majority of conventional multiphase flow meters, because of the high-gas volume fraction (95 % and above) nature of the wells.
Multiphase flow meter technology has been successfully used around the world for over 15 years in oil and gas fields with a very low cost comparing with three-phase test separator use. This success encourages all the manufacturers to continue developing meters; to satisfy and meet the production test requirements and the acceptance criteria established by the operator companies.
At the end of 2010, Saudi Aramco conducted a second pilot test to evaluate the four wet gas and multiphase flow meters (WGMPFMs) from various leading manufacturers. The objective of this test was to confirm the accuracy and reliability of these meters for measuring gas, condensate and water flow rates in the wet gas stream. A high pressure test separator was the reference measurement and the test was repeated at several selected gas wells. After almost 4 months, the testing concluded that only a particular type of meter performed better than others and met the minimum Saudi Aramco acceptance criteria in measuring the three-phase flow with acceptable accuracy.
This paper also describes the Saudi Aramco’s experience of field testing the latest WGMPFM’s meters in real production condition, field test methodology, equipment setup and result analysis.
