ABSTRACT
Current methods for characterizing slug flow behavior are examined in light of experience with their use in multiphase pipeline design. Isograms of slug flow properties, displayed on a flow pattern map, are used to examine slug flow characteristics and identify conditions under which current prediction methods perform well. Using this technique, the equilibrium film simplification is shown to not be justified for a large portion of the slug flow region. Slug length isograms on a flow pattern map are shown to be particularly useful for visualizing slug length behavior. New methods are developed for predicting the existence of slug flow, modeling slug length behavior in inclined flowlines, and for predicting pigged slug length under slug flow conditions. Methodology is developed to determine slug flow characteristics and is applied to an example pipeline connecting the Eldfisk and Ekofisk fields in the Norwegian North Sea.
