Evaluation of two-phase flow test pipeline configurations for an offshore oil field

Conference · Tue Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1983 · Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5498549

Brill, J P; Dutta-roy, K; Schmidt, Z; Sharma, Y; Sifferman, T R

In a major oilfield in Saudi Arabia, detailed information on individual well performance is required for operating and planning purposes. Complete design data can only be obtained through the addition of extensive facilities for periodic testing of all production in the field. Three different test pipeline configurations were considered. Variables included pipe diameter, pipeline length, oil production rate, gas/liquid ratio, and water cut. Lengths up to approximately 10 miles (16.1 km) were considered. Three types of analyses were undertaken. The first analysis included steady state pressure losses in not only the horizontal segments but also the vertical risers and downcomers at the platforms. The second set of calculations involved transient simulations for both increasing and decreasing flow rates. Finally, slug length and period predictions for both normal and ''severe'' slugging were performed. Severe slugging occurs only at very low flow rates and negative pipeline inclination angles. Pressure drop calculations based on the Beggs and Brill correlation, with a rough pipe friction factor, showed that 10 in. (25.4 cm) pipelines were adequate for most cases. Transient simulation results indicated that, in general, less than two hours were required to reestablish steady state flow for both increasing and decreasing rates. Normally occurring slugs were found to vary in average length from about 200 to 600 ft (61 to 183m) with a maximum possible slug length of approximately 2500 ft (762 m). Liquid slug lengths for severe slugging varied from about 100 to 800 ft (30.5 to 244 m) depending on the pipeline length and riser height.

• Research Organization: University of Tulsa
• OSTI ID: 5498549
• Report Number(s): CONF-830397-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States) Journal Volume: SPE 11517
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300 -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
022000* -- Petroleum-- Transport
Handling
& Storage
ASIA
CALCULATION METHODS
DEPOSITS
DESIGN
DIMENSIONS
FLOW RATE
FLUID FLOW
FRICTION FACTOR
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
INCLINATION
INFORMATION NEEDS
MARINE RISERS
MINERAL RESOURCES
OFFSHORE PLATFORMS
OIL FIELDS
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
PIPELINES
PIPES
PLANNING
PRESSURE DROP
RESOURCES
SAUDI ARABIA
TWO-PHASE FLOW