Multiphase Fluid Analysis Using Slug Flow Pressure Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for monitoring individual oil well performance in oil fields are limited by the need for complex equipment and provide only real-time data for one well at a time, failing to offer continuous, reliable measurements due to frequent calibration and maintenance requirements.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that analyze multiphase fluid flow in oil wells using pressure data from pressure gauges, processing time-varying slug amplitudes and periods to provide a measure of well performance without the need for complex equipment, allowing for real-time monitoring and analysis of multiple wells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multi-phase meters and densitometers are positioned in the wells to provide real-time information on well performance, then real-time monitoring capability is improved, but device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the monitoring function from complex multi-phase meters and densitometers installed in wells, and relocates it to a centralized processing facility. Only simple pressure transducers remain in the wells, while the complex analysis is performed remotely on extracted pressure data signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces pressure transducers as simple intermediary devices in the wells that convert physical pressure into electrical signals. These signals are then transmitted to a centralized facility where complex multiphase flow analysis is performed, acting as a mediator between the well environment and the analysis system.
2Measurement precision
If test separator data are used to calibrate multi-phase meters, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to frequent testing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous monitoring and analysis of well performance through uninterrupted pressure data collection and real-time signal processing. The system continuously analyzes pressure fluctuations to identify slug flow patterns and calculate well performance parameters without requiring periodic shutdowns for testing or calibration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical test separator routing system with an electronic signal processing system. Instead of physically routing wells to test separators for calibration, the system uses electronic pressure transducers and computational algorithms to continuously measure and calibrate well performance parameters.
3Productivity
If all oil wells are hooked up to a common production manifold for processing, then productivity is improved by handling multiple wells, but loss of information occurs regarding individual well performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the pressure signal from each well individually, even though all wells are combined in a common production manifold. By analyzing pressure fluctuations specific to each well's slug flow patterns, the system extracts individual well performance information from the commingled flow stream.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a temporal dimension to the analysis by examining pressure fluctuations over time. This allows individual well performance to be distinguished from the commingled flow based on the unique time-varying pressure signatures of each well's slug flow, enabling individual well monitoring without physical separation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and a system of analysing multiphase fluid flow in at least one well or pipeline is provided, the method comprises characterising slug flow in the multiphase fluid flow by receiving a plurality of well pressure data from the at least one well, processing the plurality of well pressure data to obtain a time-varying slug amplitude and/or a time-varying slug period for slugs in the slug flow, analysing the slug amplitudes and/or the slug periods over a period of time to thereby determine a measure of well performance. Also an oil field monitoring system for an oil field comprising a plurality of wells is provided. Each well has a pressure gauge installed to measure a well pressure and is connected to a multiphase fluid flow analysing system. An oil field unit receives the measure of well performance from the multiphase fluid flow analysing system, and output the measures of well performance for each of the plurality of wells.