Phase sampler probe and method of using thereof
AssigneeSchlumberger Technology Corporation
InventorsMalcolm Atkinson, Muhammad Adeel Zahid Khan, Bernard Theron
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for selectively capturing substantially separate phases from a multiphase fluid mixture flowing through a flowline. The apparatus is preferably substantially aerofoil shaped, and includes sample ports which are positioned on the apparatus in such an orientation that takes advantage of the low density and high density flow around the aerofoil shape, as well as the pressure distribution around the aerofoil shape.
Claims17
A probe for selectively capturing substantially separate phases from a multiphase fluid mixture flowing through a flowline, comprising:
- a) a probe body substantially having the shape of an areofoil, including a terminal end, a basal end, a front portion, a back portion, and lateral portions disposed therebetween, the probe body being shaped and oriented to create a plurality of different pressure regions at different portions of the probe body when the multiphase fluid flows through the flowline, the back portion having the lowest pressure region and the front portion having the highest pressure region of the plurality of different pressure regions;
- b) a first port positioned on the probe body facing in a first direction relative to fluid flowing through the flowline, the first port being positioned in the highest pressure region at the front portion;
- and
- c) a second port positioned on the probe body facing in a second direction, which is different from the first direction, the second port being positioned outside of the highest pressure region.
A probe for selectively capturing substantially separate phases from a multiphase fluid mixture flowing through a flowline, comprising:
- a) a probe body substantially having the shape of an areofoil, including a terminal end, a basal end, a front portion, a back portion, and lateral portions disposed therebetween, the probe body being shaped and oriented to create a plurality of different pressure regions at different portions of the probe body when the multiphase fluid flows through the flowline, the back portion having the lowest pressure region and the front portion having the highest pressure region of the plurality of different pressure regions
- b) a first port positioned on the front portion of the probe body adapted to capture a relatively high density fluid phase from the multiphase fluid flowing through the flowline, the first port being positioned in the highest pressure region at the front portion;
- c) a second port positioned on the back portion of the probe body adapted to capture a relatively low density fluid phase from the multiphase fluid flowing through the flowline, the second port being positioned in the lowest pressure region.
A probe for selectively capturing substantially separate phases from a multiphase fluid mixture flowing through a flowline, comprising:
- a) a probe body substantially having the shape of an areofoil, including a terminal end, a basal end, a front portion, a back portion, and lateral portions disposed therebetween, the probe body being shaped and oriented to create a plurality of different pressure regions at different portions of the probe body when the multiphase fluid flows through the flowline, the back portion having the lowest pressure region and the front portion having the highest pressure region of the plurality of different pressure regions;
- b) a first port positioned on the front portion of the probe body adapted to capture a predominantly oil phase from the multiphase fluid flowing through the flowline, the first port being positioned in the highest pressure region at the front portion;
- c) a second port positioned on the front portion of the probe body adapted to capture a predominantly water phase from the multiphase fluid flowing through the flowline, the second port being positioned in the highest pressure region at the front portion;
- d) a third port positioned on the back portion of the probe body adapted to capture a predominantly gas phase from the multiphase fluid flowing through the flowline, the third port being positioned in the lowest pressure region.
A method for selectively capturing substantially separate phases from a multiphase fluid mixture flowing through a flowline, comprising:
- a) providing a probe body substantially having the shape of an areofoil, including a terminal end, a basal end, a front portion, a back portion, and lateral portions disposed therebetween, the probe body being shaped and oriented to create a plurality of different pressure regions at different portions of the probe body when the multiphase fluid flows through the flowline, the back portion having the lowest pressure region and the front portion having the highest pressure region of the plurality of different pressure regions;
- b) placing the probe in the flowline, the probe being oriented such that at least one first port faces upstream with respect to the direction of flow of the multiphase fluid mixture and is located in the highest pressure region, the probe further being oriented such that at least one second port faces downstream with respect to the direction of flow of the multiphase fluid mixture;
- c) using the at least one first port to selectively capture a fluid which has a relatively high density from the multiphase fluid mixture flowing through the flowline;
- and
- d) using the at least one second port to selectively capture a fluid which has a relatively low density from the multiphase fluid mixture flowing through the flowline.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.