Browsing by Author "Gbaden, Eric Tersoo"

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    Evaluation of the flow regime identification capability of gamma-based multiphase flowmeters
    (Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 2021-04) Gbaden, Eric Tersoo
    The application of a single beam, dual energy gamma densitometer unit in determining the flow patterns of vertically upward multiphase flow was investigated. A fast-sampling (250Hz) gamma densitometer was installed on a 3" schedule 160, 11.1mm wt inlet manifold riser in an onshore production facility, Delta-X, in the Niger Delta. Gamma radiation attenuation data for the caesium-137 radioisotope-based densitometer was collected for Well-X effluent of oil, water and gas mixture. Classification of the multiphase mixture's flow regimes was investigated through the analysis of the probability mass function (PMF) chart obtained from the soft gamma count data. The prevalent flow regimes identified during the trial period were bubbly, slug, churn, annular and transition (bubbly-slug and churn-annular) flows. The result showed consistency with similar test facility studies conducted using air, diesel oil and portable water. An economic model was proposed for evaluating the economic viability of replacing existing test separators with multiphase flowmeters. Results from the economic analysis showed that given the current cost of multiphase flowmeters, it is not viable to replace existing test separators with multiphase flowmeters on a per well basis. The valuation, however, favoured replacing an existing test separator with a single multiphase flowmeter. Sensitivity study indicated that installing multiphase flowmeters on a per well basis will be economically viable with over 60% reduction in multiphase flowmeter present CAPEX for an 8-well production facility