First-ever validation of a multiphase flow meter on extensive ranges of GVF (0-100), WLR (0-100), Pressure (4-30 bar), and flow regimes from stable to unstable in a well-controlled flow loop facility

摘要

This is a first ever test on a same flow lab in wet gas conditions and multiphase conditions in less than a week with the same meter and looking the extreme conditions in terms of flow regimes. Tests have been done from 3.5 Bara to 30 Bara, GVF from 60 to 100% and then WLR from 0 to 100% with multiple intermediate steps including in the inversion zone. This is the most complete investigation done up today, the number of data point is limited due to the time constraint and the flow loop capability which has been used to obtained high quality data. On the top of the already challenging conditions, the selection of the most unstable flow conditions have been made in the case of multiphase flow measurements; in the gas flow conditions it was the lowest pressure achievable on the flow loop which was set, to challenge the metrology of the Vx meter. Finally, the tests were conducted in blind mode, with no multiphase flow for preparation (previous flow or performance analysis) and this was audited by Bureau Veritas during the entire sequence to ensure the quality of the test and a fair demonstration of the performance. This is unique from the authors' point of view and should be seen as setting a new standard for the multiphase meter demonstration of the performance in future validation tests.