Abstract
Continuous and accurate water cut measurement is a challenging aspect in well testing and production monitoring in Petroleum Development Oman LLC (PDO). As PDO's fields are ageing and water cut is increasing, the need for more accurate water cut measurement is becoming essential. A field trial of different water cut measurement technologies was conducted in October 2004. As a result, near-infra red absorption measurement principle was found to be a promising technology. Therefore, the first near-infrared based water cut meter was first introduced in PDO in 2005
Today more than 300 units of the above mentioned water cut meter are installed in PDO. Different applications and installations of the same water cut meter across PDO are discussed in this paper. These applications include well testing, gathering and production stations production monitoring and monitoring water in oil from test separator oil leg outlet. This paper highlights the pros and cons of each of the applications where the near-infra red absorption based water cut meter is used in PDO operations. To get more accurate well test in high water cut wells, PDO deployed the same water cut meters together with Coriolis flow meters for well testing in the highest oil producer field in PDO, with high water cut (above 90% on average). This paper presents PDO's experience as an end user.
Although using near-infra red absorption based water cut meters is relatively new in the oil and gas industry, it shows a promising potential for better water cut measurement accuracy. Caution must be given to the surrounding conditions that can affect the performance of the meter, specifically the homogeneity of the flow. Configuration and proper setting of the water cut meter is an essential first step for accurate water cut measurement
