Journal of Petroleum & Environmental Biotechnology

A new correlation for the prediction of upward two phase flow characteristics in pipes

6^th International Conference on Petroleum Engineering

June 29-30, 2017|Madrid, Spain

Kwame Sarkodie, Andrew Rees Fergusson and Nura Makwashi

London South Bank University, UK

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Pet Environ Biotechnol

Abstract:

Almost all hydrocarbons wellbores experience multiphase flow in the form of varied combinations of gas oil and/or water fractions. The prediction of multiphase flow characteristics such as the pressure drop and phase fractions is an important requirement in the prediction of the tubing performance relationship (TPR) in these wellbores. Numerous multiphase flow models/correlations exist for these predictions but present limitations in their applicability for varied flow conditions, fluid properties and well configurations. In order to extend a range of applicability, this paper presents a new correlation derived from approximation of seven (7) flow correlations using regression analysis. A dimensionless two phase pressure gradient, flowrate and phase fraction relationships were established which is expected to present a good prediction of flow characteristics in varied flow conditions especially for bubble and slug flow regimes. The performance of this correlation was validated with field data derived from literature and compared with the existing correlations used for the approximation. The pressure gradient prediction and phase fraction Results from the comparative analysis showed an adequate +/-0.05% - 2% deviation from the experimental data.

Biography :

Email: sarkodik@lsbu.ac.uk