Weatherford/lamb, Inc.

Babajide Adejuyigbe

John Lievois

Espen S Johansen

Vijay Ramakrishnan

Methods and apparatus for determining phase fractions (relative concentrations) within a multiphase fluid mixture, in the presence of an injected hydrate inhibitor. Combining this phase fraction information with a hydrate inhibitor injection rate (HIIR) enables resolving oil and water flow rates for the phase fractions. The liquid flow rates and a total combined flow rate of the fluid mixture&#x2014;determined based on a differential pressure of the fluid mixture through a given area&#x2014;enable resolving a gas flow rate.

Multiphase flow meter for subsea applications using hydrate inhibitor measurement

Methods and apparatus enable monitoring a hydrocarbon well for water within a flow stream of the well. A water detector includes a light source for emitting into a flow stream infrared light that includes a water absorbent wavelength band. A detector detects attenuation of the water absorbent wavelength band upon the infrared radiation passing through at least a portion of the flow stream. The water detector outputs a presence of water and/or a phase fraction or quantification of water as determined based on the attenuation. Detecting attenuation of a substantially transmissive wavelength band with respect to water simultaneously with detection of the attenuation of the water absorbent wavelength band can enable correction for non-wavelength dependent attenuation.

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Porter, TX, United States of America

Babajide Adejuyigbe