Method and apparatus for measuring multiphase flows
AssigneeSchlumberger Technology Corporation
InventorsGerard Segeral, Peter Long, Ian Atkinson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A device for measuring flow rate of multiphase fluids such as oilwell effluents, containing liquid hydrocarbons, gas, and water includes first and second sections situated at a distance one from the other in the flow direction, each including a passage provided with structure such as venturis for inducing a change of speed therein, and respective means for measuring the resulting pressure differences, the pressure difference signals obtained in the respective sections being suitable for cross-correlation to produce a signal representative of the total volume flow rate.
Claims30
A method of measuring flow rate for a multiphase fluid, such as the effluent of an oilwell, which may contain a mixture of liquid hydrocarbons, gas, and water, comprising the steps of:
- changing the flow velocity respectively in a first section and in a second section situated at a distance from each other in the flow direction to produce a first and a second pressure difference;
- measuring said first and second pressure differences to obtain a first and a second pressure difference signals;
- and
- determining a time lag corresponding to maximum correlation between said first and second pressure difference signals to derive a third signal indicative of the total volume flow rate q.
A device for measuring the flow rate of a multiphase fluid, comprising:
- first and second sections spaced from each other in the flow direction, each including a passage provided with means for inducing a change of velocity therein;
- and
- first and second means for measuring a pressure difference along respectively said first and second sections and generating first and second pressure difference signals suitable for cross-correlation with each other, said cross-correlation producing a third signal indicative of the total volume flow rate.
A method of determining the production from a well, comprising:
- (a) measuring flow rate of multiphase fluids flowing from the well by changing the flow velocity of the flowing multiphase fluid respectively in a first section and in a second section spaced from each other in the flow direction of the fluids;
- measuring pressure differences along respectively said first and said second section to obtain a first and a second pressure difference signals;
- and comparing said first and second pressure difference signals to derive a third signal indicative of the total volume flow rate q of the flowing multiphase fluid;
- and
- (b) using the measured flow rate to determine the production from the well.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.