First Results of the JIP on Ultrasonic Meters in Wet Gas ...€¦ · First Results of the JIP on Ultrasonic ... - Based on dimensionless numbers from fundamental multiphase flow equations

First Results of the JIP on Ultrasonic

Meters in Wet Gas Applications

Dennis van Putten - DNV-GL

Henk Riezebos - DNV-GL

DNV GL © 2013 March 17th 2015 SAFER, SMARTER, GREENER DNV GL © 2013

March 17th 2015

Dennis van Putten, Henk Riezebos

OIL & GAS

JIP US meters in wet gas applications

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First results

DNV GL © 2013 March 17th 2015

Overview

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JIP Project:

• Background and Goals

• Organization

JIP Project Outline

• Literature study

• Test Section Design and Procedures

JIP Preliminary Results

• First Test Results and General Physical Behaviour

• Development of Correction Algorithm

Conclusions


JIP Project: Background

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Main drivers for USM wet gas field application:

- Proven track record for accurate fiscal metering purposes in dry gas

- Generic design well equipped for wet gas field development:

• Large range-ability, nearly full bore and negligible differential pressure

- Continuous improvement of USM design for wet gas environments (geometry, diagnostics)

- Also clamp-on technologies available

US meters are already used widely in wet gas applications, but:

- No generic test guidelines or qualification program for US meters in wet gas

- Not a lot of independent (third party) test results

- No agreed correction algorithm for gas volume flow w.r.t. wetness fraction


JIP Project: Project goals

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Main goals of the JIP:

- Build solid foundation for widely accepted use of USM in wet gas applications

- Develop commonly accepted correction algorithm for gas volume flow w.r.t. wetness fraction based on:

• Solid theoretical framework from fundamental multiphase physics

• Experimental data from testing: JIP US and published literature


JIP Project: Organization

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Project members and organization:

Technical Reference Committee

(manufacturers)

Steering Committee(E&Ps + DNV GL)

Project Manager(DNV GL)

Project Sponsor

Technical Lead – mechanical / Loop

Teachnical Lead – Testing & Algorithm

Technical Experts

Manufacturers

Instrumentation Engineer

Testing Coordinator

Operator (Head)


JIP Project Outline

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Literature study:

- Not a lot of public literature published by third parties

- Data from manufacturers (potentially biased/filtered data)

- Missing data on physical properties mandatory for correction algorithm

Zanker et al., 2000 Brown, 2010


JIP Project Outline

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Literature study:




Test section design:

- Design choices by all project partners: horizontal 6” test line

- Design manufacturer specific: cross-talk boundaries, upstream development length

- Design for correction algorithm: stabile multiphase flow regimes for all US meters

Top view test section


JIP Project Outline

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Literature study:




Test section design:

- Design choices by all project partners: horizontal 6” test line

- Design manufacturer specific: cross-talk boundaries, upstream development length

- Design for correction algorithm: stabile multiphase flow regimes for all US meters


JIP Project Outline

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Core test matrix definition:

- Based on dimensionless numbers from fundamental multiphase flow equations relevant for US meter

- Expected dominant dimensionless numbers for wet gas flow

- Core test matrix:

• Frg = [0.7 1.2 1.7 2.2] + 2.5

• XLM = [0.01 0.02 0.04 0.08 0.15 0.3]

• DR = [0.01-0.03], 6 levels

• Pressure levels chosen such that: DR gas/oil (low p) and DR gas/water (high p) coincide

- Additional variations:

• Liquid phase oil or water: strong effect on surface tension and so on Weg

• Temperature: strong effect on liquid viscosity and so Rel

• Liquid mixtures: strong effect on liquid viscosity and so Rel

- Approximately 200 test points


JIP Project Outline

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Strict test protocol:

- Baseline test consisting of 8 dry gas test points, after which adjustments can be made to the US meter to match reference

- Wet gas “blind” test matrix, no access to test setup for the manufacturers

- Test witnessed by steering committee

Data logging:

- Two output signals from US meter to DNV GL DAQ system (averaged over 10 min):

• Volumetric flow rate (subject to internal reconstruction algorithm)

• Speed of sound

- Manufacturers log diagnostics for test point validation (traffic light system)

Additional data, visualization of flow regimes:

- Liquid level monitored manually and video logging (upstream/downstream)

- No change in flow regime observed


JIP First Results: Baseline

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Baseline test all US meters:

- Out-of-the-box performances: 250, 500, 750, 1000 m3/h (solid dots)

- Dry gas data points: 2 check points after baseline and during wet gas matrix (open circles)

Note: • Presentation of results in public

domain

• All presented data is labelled “green” by manufacturers

• No distinction between manufacturers


JIP First Results: Wet gas

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Define over-reading and plot as function of Froude and LM:

- All manufacturers with “green” labelled data


JIP First Results: Wet gas

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Define over-reading and plot as function of Froude and LM:

- All manufacturers with “green” labelled data


JIP First Results: Development of correction algorithm

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First version of correction algorithm has been developed: - Discussion ongoing between JIP members to further improve the algorithm

- Including data from references: Cameron, Flexim, SICK and Daniel

- Extension of data to e.g. Frg = 5.5, p = 75 bar, D = 4” and 8”, different fluids


JIP First Results: Development of correction algorithm

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First version of correction algorithm has been developed: - Discussion ongoing between JIP members to further improve the algorithm

- Including data from references: Cameron, Flexim, SICK and Daniel

- Extension of data to e.g. Frg = 5.5, p = 75 bar, D = 4” and 8”, different fluids


JIP First Results: Ramp up tests

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Ramp-up of liquid flow:

- Frg = 1.2 with water injection up to 13% LVF

- Similar behaviour for Frg = 2.4 and for oil injection

- 3 US meters continued to give data


JIP First Results: Speed of Sound

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SOS dependence:

- No systematic behaviour observed as a function of XLM

- Theory supports experimental data


Conclusions

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Setup of test matrix in terms of dimensionless numbers aids in the development of the correction algorithm

Strict test protocols manage the expectations and avoids discussions about tweaking meters

A correction algorithm seems feasible and data from literature seems to support the current correction algorithm


SAFER, SMARTER, GREENER

www.dnvgl.com

Thank you!

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[email protected]

+31 50 700 9744

Documents

First Results of the JIP on Ultrasonic Meters in Wet Gas ...€¦ · First Results of the JIP on Ultrasonic ... - Based on dimensionless numbers from fundamental multiphase flow equations