Inverse venturi meter with insert capability

Abstract

An insert meter can be run into an inverse venturi on wireline and make use of the existing pressure taps to allow accurate measurement of reduced flow rates that could not be accurately measured with the inverse venturi meter. The insert meter has seals and can lock into position with peripheral sealing to direct the new and lower flow rate into the throat of the insert meter that is preferably a standard venturi. The venturi devices can be in meter or eductor service and located downhole, subsea or on the surface.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The field of the invention is venturi meters used in conjunction with flow from subterranean formations and more particularly inverse venturi meters that can accept an insert for measuring lower flows than the inverse venturi as production from a formation trails off. Surface and subsea applications are contemplated.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Inverse venturi meters have been used to measure very high flows. They are essentially a bulge in the tubular string with associated pressure taps as illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 6,915,707 FIG. 6. FIG. 5 in that patent illustrates the classical shape of a standard venturi that tapers down to a throat dimension where one of the pressure taps is located while the other pressure tap is at an end of the venturi in the larger dimension. With the inverse flow meter there is also an end tap and one in the enlarged portion.[0003]Well productivity varies with time and when a high producing well starts to trail off in pr...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes an insert meter that can be used to accurately measure small amounts of fluid flow. This meter can be inserted into an inverse venturi and attached to existing pressure taps. It has seals and can be locked into position to direct the fluid flow into the meter. This insert meter can be used in a variety of settings, such as downhole, subsea, or on the surface. Overall, this patent provides a solution for accurately measuring small flow rates that would be difficult to measure with traditional methods.

Problems solved by technology

Well productivity varies with time and when a high producing well starts to trail off in production the measurement equipment designed for high flow ceases to be accurate or function at all primarily because there is no longer a sufficient differential pressure in an inverse venturi at the new and significantly lower flow rates.

Pulling out the production string and running in a new meter also takes time and has associated costs for running back in with the new meter but production that is interrupted and the risk of a lower rate when production is resumed due to the interruption in production for the replacement meter installation.

These issues can also affect other types of installations where there is a dramatic change in flow rates that requires meter replacement in a subterranean location.

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