Multiphase flow meter for subsea applications using hydrate inhibitor measurement
AssigneeWeatherford/Lamb, Inc.
InventorsJohn Lievois, Vijay Ramakrishnan, Babajide Adejuyigbe
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus for determining phase fractions (relative concentrations) within a multiphase fluid mixture, in the presence of an injected hydrate inhibitor. Combining this phase fraction information with a hydrate inhibitor injection rate (HIIR) enables resolving oil and water flow rates for the phase fractions. The liquid flow rates and a total combined flow rate of the fluid mixture—determined based on a differential pressure of the fluid mixture through a given area—enable resolving a gas flow rate.
Claims17
A method of determining flow rates of a fluid mixture in a conduit, comprising:
- determining an injection rate of a hydrate inhibitor;
- determining relative concentrations of liquids in the fluid mixture including a relative concentration of the hydrate inhibitor;
- calculating flow rates of the liquids other than the hydrate inhibitor injection rate (HIIR) based on the HIIR and the relative concentrations of the liquids in the conduit;
- and
- controlling, by a control unit, injection of the hydrate inhibitor based on a relative concentration of water in the fluid mixture.
A control unit for controlling a hydrate inhibitor injection rate (HIIR) in a fluid mixture of a well, wherein the control unit is configured to:
- determine an injection rate of a hydrate inhibitor;
- determine relative concentrations of liquids in the fluid mixture including a relative concentration of the hydrate inhibitor;
- calculate flow rates of the liquids other than the HIIR based on the HIIR and the relative concentrations of the liquids;
- and
- control injection of the hydrate inhibitor based on a relative concentration of water in the fluid mixture.
A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing a program for determining flow rates of a fluid mixture in a conduit which, when executed by a processor, performs operations comprising:
- determining an injection rate of a hydrate inhibitor;
- determining relative concentrations of liquids in the fluid mixture including a relative concentration of the hydrate inhibitor;
- calculating flow rates of the liquids other than the hydrate inhibitor injection rate (HIIR) based on the HIIR and the relative concentrations of the liquids;
- and
- controlling injection of the hydrate inhibitor based on a relative concentration of water in the fluid mixture.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.