Abstract:
Multiphase flowmeters (MPFM) are commonly used in O&G industry to monitor & optimize production in real time. However, existing multiphase flow meters are either intrusive, radioactive or don't cover full range without requiring frequent calibration. Gases have much different density than liquids and the mixture density is linearly related with the fluid fractions over the full range but the devices to measure density either possess moving parts or rely on radioactive sources (e.g., gamma rays), which are hazardous. On the other hand, some non-density based MPFM relying on dielectric properties of multiphase mixture can be implemented without moving parts, but the dielectric properties have highly non-linear and non-monotonic response with respect to salinity of the produced water, making it extremely complicated to implement. That is why, existing dielectric based MPFM also use a radioactive source specially to measure gas volume fraction (GVF). This paper presents a novel non-radioactive microwave DMOR technology which solves the complex non-linear problem with the use of a digital twin model and custom designed AI algorithm. This unique approach provides a non-intrusive and non-radioactive solution to reliably measure the multiphase fractions without being dependent on fluid mixing conditions. Β© 2023, Society of Petroleum Engineers.
