Spe 16242 Pa PDF
Spe 16242 Pa PDF
Spe 16242 Pa PDF
Introduction
Multiphase flow can occur throughout the entire
production system involved in flowing fluids from oil
and gas reservoirs to processing facilities at the
surface. The production system in this context
includes the reservoir; the well completion ; the
tubulars that connect the reservoir to the surface ; all
surface facilities on land, seabed, or offshore
platform; and any pipelines that carry produced fluids
to other processing facilities . The multiphase flow
encountered in producing oil and gas can be any
combination of a natural gas phase, a hydrocarbon
liquid phase, and a water phase.
A vast amount of technical information on
multiphase flow in pipes is available in the literature.
Many of these sources are related to other industries
and involve different types of fluids. The reference
list for this paper clearly demonstrates the diversity of
interest in multiphase flow in pipes. In particular,
significant contributions have been made in the
nuclear industry, where a major concern is a possible
loss-of-coolant accident in a nuclear reactor. These
studies involve the transient simulation of two-phase,
single-component (water) fluid flow in piping
systems.
Multiphase flow in the petroleum industry has
many unique features that create complications not
encountered by other industries . The fluids involved
are multicomponent mixtures whose phase behavior is
extremely complex . The range of pressures and
temperatures encountered in production systems is
extremely broad. Pressures can range from 15,000
psia [100 MPa] to near atmospheric conditions.
Copyright 1987 SOCiety of Petroleum Engineers
Historical Development
The development of tools to assist engineers in
predicting multiphase-flow behavior in wells, and thus
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Applications
Numerous applications have made use of the
developments presented in the previous section.
Essentially every technical paper pertaining to the
production of oil and gas in the literature involves
one of these applications. A thorough discussion of
all applications is beyond the scope of this paper.
Some of the more important applications are
described below. An exhaustive literature search on
these topics would fill pages, so only selected
references are given.
Total Production Systems Analysis. The concept of
using correlations to predict multiphase-flow behavior
through pipes, well completions, restrictions, and the
reservoir for analysis of flow behavior in the entire
production system has been recognized for more than
20 years. 35 ,36 This approach, often called nodal
analysis, was the SUbJect of another Distinguished
Author Series paper. 7 The objective of nodal
analysis is to optimize design calculations for oil and
gas wells. This permits evaluation of the interactions
of individual components in the production system.
Artificial Lift. The design of all artificial lift
procedures involves use of mUltiphase flow in pipe
Journal of Petroleum Technology, January 1987
,.
Fig. 5-Example of vertical multi phase flow pressure gradient curves.
ff
Conclusions
The production of oil and gas always involves upward
multiphase flow in pipes. Prediction of flow behavior
in wells is progressing from a highly empirical stage
20
Nomenclature
d
g
h
LE
p
Q
T
v
()
Subscripts
g = gas
L = liquid
m = two-phase mixture
S = superficial
References
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Journal of Petroleum Technology, January 1987
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.
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52. Rosina, L.R.: "A Study of Plunger Lift Dynamics," MS thesis,
U. of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK (1983).
g/cm 3
m3
m
C
.cm
kPa
std m 3 /m 3
JPT
This paper is SPE 16242. Distinguished Author Series articles are general, descriptive presentations that summarize the state of the art in an area of technology by describing recent developments for readers who are not speCialists in the topics discussed.
Written by individuals recognized as experts in the area. these articles provide key
references to more definitive work and present specific details only to illustrate the
technology. Purpose: To inform the general readership of recent advances in various
areas of petroleum engineering. A softbound anthology. SPE Distinguished Author Ser
ies, Dec. 19B1-Dec. 19B3, is available from SPE's Book Order Dept.
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