Saudi Arabian Oil Company

Vijay Ramakrishnan

Muhammad Arsalan

Robert W Adams

Max Deffenbaugh

Sakethraman Mahalingam

A method for determining a bulk velocity and a mixture speed of sound of a multi-phase fluid flowing in a pipe of a pipeline. The method includes the steps: obtaining a plurality of pressure signals from a plurality of pressure sensors, where each pressure sensor in the plurality of pressure sensors includes a diaphragm for sensing pressure, where the diaphragm of each pressure sensor is aligned with an inner wall of the pipe such that each pressure sensor is flush-mounted on the inner wall of the pipe; determining, using the plurality of pressure signals, a first time-of-flight of one or more flow eddies; determining, using the plurality of pressure signals, a second time-of-flight of one or more sound waves; determining, using the first time-of-flight, the bulk velocity of the multi-phase fluid; and determining, using the bulk velocity and the second time-of-flight, the mixture speed of sound of the multi-phase fluid.

Measurement of bulk flow velocity and mixture sound speed using an array of dynamic pressure sensors

A multiphase fluid is flowed from a flow pipe to a U-bend. Several differential pressures of the multiphase fluid flowing through the flow pipe and U-bend are measured. A total flow rate of the multiphase fluid is determined at least based on the measured differential pressures. In some cases, flow rates of each of the phases of the multiphase fluid can be determined at least based on the measured differential pressures.

Measuring flow rates of multiphase fluids

A multiphase fluid is flowed from a flow pipe to a U-bend. Several differential pressures of the multiphase fluid flowing through the flow pipe and U-bend are measured. A mixture density of the multiphase fluid is determined at least based on the measured differential pressures.

Measuring density of multiphase fluids

A multiphase fluid is flowed from a flow pipe to a U-bend. Several differential pressures of the multiphase fluid flowing through the flow pipe and U-bend are measured. A mixture density of the multiphase fluid is determined at least based on the measured differential pressures. A total flow rate of the multiphase fluid is determined at least based on the measured differential pressures. In some cases, flow rates of each of the phases of the multiphase fluid can be determined at least based on the measured differential pressures.

Multiphase fluid flow characterization

An electric submersible pump (ESP), comprising: an intake that suctions fluids into the ESP, wherein the fluids include a mixture of gas, water, and oil; a discharge that discharges the fluids from the ESP; an acoustic intake transducer that determines the speed of sound in the fluids suctioned into the ESP at the intake; and a first acoustic discharge transducer that determines the speed of sound in the fluids discharged from the ESP, wherein the speed of sound of the fluid at both intake and discharge is used to calculate a gas volume fraction difference of the multiphase fluid mixture across the intake and discharge of the pump, and wherein the gas volume fraction difference is used as feedback to control the ESP.

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Houston, TX, United States of America

Vijay Ramakrishnan