Volumetric Well Flow Meter Fluid Splitting for Measurement Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current well flow meters face challenges in accurately measuring fluid characteristics like flow rate, density, and flow restriction in well systems, particularly due to uncertainties in the inner diameter of the wellbore, which can lead to measurement errors and require additional equipment that may interfere with other downhole tools.
Innovation Solution
A well flow meter system that splits fluid flow into internal and external paths using a volumetric flow meter with a discharge grill component and measurement correction component, allowing for the measurement of pressure differentials and calculation of fluid characteristics like flow rate, density, and flow path resistance, independent of the wellbore diameter, without the need for additional control or power lines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional flow meters are used in well systems, then flow rate measurement can be obtained, but measurement precision deteriorates due to uncertainties in the inner diameter of the wellbore
Solution Approach 1:
The flow meter is divided into separate internal and external measurement sections. The internal section measures flow within the flow meter body while the external section measures flow in the wellbore annulus. This segmentation allows independent measurement of each flow path, eliminating the need for accurate wellbore diameter knowledge and improving overall measurement precision and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow meter acts as an intermediary device that creates controlled flow paths through its internal structure. By introducing the flow meter body as an intermediary element, the system transforms the uncertain external wellbore measurements into controlled internal measurements, thereby improving measurement accuracy without requiring precise wellbore dimension data.
2Measurement precision
If additional equipment is added to correct measurement errors, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The correction functionality is merged into the main flow meter body rather than being a separate external device. The internal and external measurement sections are integrated within a single flow meter assembly, allowing error correction to be achieved through the device's own structure rather than requiring additional separate equipment, thus improving precision while limiting complexity increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow meter is designed to perform multiple functions: it measures flow rate, provides measurement correction, and characterizes fluid properties all within a single device. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate correction equipment, improving measurement precision while keeping the overall system complexity manageable by consolidating multiple functions into one universal device.
3Measurement precision
If additional control or power lines are installed, then measurement capability improves, but ease of operation deteriorates due to interference with other downhole tools
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement and correction functionalities are extracted from any external control or power line dependencies and are instead achieved through the flow meter's own internal structure and integrated sensors. This extraction eliminates the need for additional control or power lines, improving measurement capability while maintaining ease of operation and avoiding interference with other downhole tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow meter performs self-measurement and self-correction using its integrated internal and external measurement sections without requiring external control or power lines. The device serves itself by using its own structure to create measurement paths and generate correction data, thereby improving measurement accuracy while maintaining operational simplicity and avoiding interference with other downhole equipment.
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
Enables continuous monitoring of well production and downhole pumping unit performance, correcting for measurement variances and providing accurate fluid property assessments without interfering with other downhole tools, while allowing for standalone implementation without additional power or control lines.
Implementation Method 1
a volumetric well flow meter to be positioned in a wellbore. The volumetric well flow meter includes a hollow cylindrical tubing to be positioned in the wellbore, the tubing to split well fluid through the wellbore into an internal fluid through the volumetric well flow meter and an external fluid through an annulus between the wellbore and the volumetric well flow meter
Implementation Method 2
The discharge grill component includes a tubing attached to the hollow cylindrical tubing at the outlet end of the volumetric flow meter, the tubing including openings through which the internal fluid flows to commingle with the external fluid
Implementation Method 3
The flow conditioner includes a conditioner tubing with a plurality of fins arranged to homogenize the well fluid, the conditioner tubing coupled to the hollow cylindrical tubing at the inlet end of the volumetric well flow meter
Implementation Method 4
an internal sensor of the hollow cylindrical tubing to measure a pressure differential of the internal fluid, an external sensor of the hollow cylindrical tubing to measure a pressure differential of the external fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A flow meter well tool includes a volumetric well flow meter to be positioned in a wellbore. The volumetric well flow meter includes a hollow cylindrical tubing to be positioned in the wellbore. The tubing splits well fluid through the wellbore into an internal fluid through the volumetric well flow meter and an external fluid through an annulus between the wellbore and the volumetric well flow meter. The hollow cylindrical tubing includes an internal portion, where an internal cross-sectional area of the internal portion is less than an internal cross-sectional area of the hollow cylindrical tubing.