Multiphase Flow Measurement in Oil and Gas Production

C-G. Xie, I. Atkinson, C. Lenn

Schlumberger Cambridge Research Limited, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0EL, U.K, Email: xie@cambridge.oilfield.slb.com

ABSTRACT

Multiphase flowmeter (MPFM) technology continues to improve, bringing significant benefits to the oil and gas industry. This paper describes the increasingly important role that MPFM plays in enhancing individual well production, optimizing field production and maximizing reservoir recovery. In the downhole production logging arena, a new sensor array tool is described that enables the mapping of fluid velocities and holdups of oil-water-gas flows along the diameter of a deviated/horizontal wellbore cross-section at every survey depth. By using the sensor array tool, operators can better identify and quantify zonal oil and water productions, to make more informed decisions about planning interventions to optimize oil production. The potential of process tomography for improving MPFM accuracy remains to be demonstrated and fulfilled through continued research and development.

Keywords Multiphase flow measurement, oil-gas production, production logging, imaging, tomography