NMR Multiphase Flowmeter for Oil Gas Water Rate Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring the flow rates of components in multiphase fluids in oil and gas wells are inefficient, costly, and prone to measurement errors, especially in unconventional resources with high gas, water, and salinity content, lacking accurate and reliable online detection capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus using magnetization treatments and echo train signal analysis to determine the flow rates of oil, water, and gas components in multiphase fluids, employing pre-magnetization and detection magnetization treatments, and nuclear magnetic resonance principles to calibrate and measure fluid contents and velocities online.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If indirect measurement method (three-phase separation) is used, then measurement can be performed, but efficiency is low, cost is high, and data delay occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical three-phase separation system with a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) based direct measurement system. The NMR flowmeter uses magnetic field interactions with hydrogen nuclei in the fluid to directly measure flow characteristics without requiring physical separation of phases, thereby eliminating the inefficiencies of the separation process while maintaining measurement capability.
2Quantity of substance
If conventional flowmeters (Venturi, volumetric, mass) are used, then total flow rate can be detected, but component content measurement requires complex additional technologies
Solution Approach 1:
The NMR flowmeter integrates multiple measurement functions into a single device. It simultaneously measures total flow rate, phase content distribution (oil, gas, water), and flow velocity using the same NMR detection mechanism, eliminating the need for separate component measurement technologies and reducing overall system complexity.
3Measurement precision
If gamma ray absorption technology is used for component measurement, then radioactivity is introduced, but measurement capability is achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes gamma ray absorption technology with nuclear magnetic resonance technology. Instead of using ionizing radiation (gamma rays) to detect component content, the system uses magnetic field interactions with hydrogen nuclei, which are non-radioactive and eliminate the harmful radiation effects while maintaining component detection capability.
4Reliability
If existing sensors are used in unconventional oil and gas wells, then measurement is attempted, but measurement error rises exponentially due to high gas content, high water content, high viscosity, and high salinity
Solution Approach 1:
The NMR flowmeter measures the longitudinal relaxation time (T1) of hydrogen nuclei in the fluid, which is an intrinsic property that remains relatively stable across varying conditions of gas content, water content, viscosity, and salinity. By using T1 as the measurement parameter instead of properties that vary significantly with these conditions, the system maintains measurement precision and reliability in unconventional well environments.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach improves the accuracy of flow rate measurements by reducing the influence of high gas content, high water content, high viscosity, and high salinity, enabling precise online monitoring of multiphase fluid components.
Implementation Method 1
performing a first magnetization treatment and a second magnetization treatment on multiphase fluid in a pipeline in a target oil and gas well, respectively, to obtain a first magnetized multiphase fluid and a second magnetized multiphase fluid
Data Source
AI summary
The embodiments of the present application disclose a method and an apparatus for determining flow rates of components of multiphase fluid. The method comprises: performing a first magnetization treatment and a second magnetization treatment on multiphase fluid in a pipeline in a target oil and gas well, respectively, to obtain first magnetized multiphase fluid and second magnetized multiphase fluid; determining a first echo train signal set and a second echo train signal set corresponding to the first magnetized multiphase fluid and the second magnetized multiphase fluid, respectively; determining contents of an oil phase component, a water phase component, and a gas phase component of the multiphase fluid at a specified horizon position, and determining a flow velocity of the multiphase fluid at the specified horizon position; and determining flow rates of the oil phase component, the water phase component and the gas phase component in the multiphase fluid. The technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application can improve the accuracy of the determined flow rate of each component of the multiphase fluid.