Virtual Flow Metering Solutions Offer Owner Operators Attractive Options in Multiphase Measurements
ARC recently expanded its coverage of the market for multiphase flow metering based on growing demand from owner operators, independent E&P firms and suppliers to develop a quantitative assessment of the market for virtual flow metering (VFM) solutions. Although VFM solutions have been around since the mid-1990s, when MSi Kenny (part of Wood PLC) first started deploying them in the North Sea, there has not been much market coverage of these lower cost and more flexible multiphase measurement solutions. Interest in this growing market segment has only intensified as advancements in advanced analytics, machine learning and modeling simulation software has improved the performance of VFM solutions to the point where they can operate as a backup to a MPFM in the event of a failure or even help calibrate the accuracy of the MPFM itself.
Virtual flow metering solutions offer flexibility in operational conditions
VFM solutions are model-based and extremely flexible with some VFM suppliers indicating they can develop a unique model for each well and by phase of measurement. VFM models can be classified as hydrodynamical or data-driven. In the hydrodynamical approach ones typically solves the phase conservation equations in pipe geometry, which requires the choice of an adequate math model, appropriate numerical method, and availability of a large number of input data. An advantage of this approach is that one can estimate various parameters at arbitrary points of the flowline.
The data-driven approach is a system identification tool, which requires the user to accept one of generic model structures. Such models exploit no prior knowledge on the flow and produce essentially data descriptions. In practice, it is easier to setup a data-driven model as compared to a hydrodynamical one. However, data driven predictions do not have a physical interpretation and it is not possible to estimate parameters with no historical data. Data driven VFMs offer the ability to not only predict rates, but also to forecast rates at future time instants. The use of data driven VFMs is gaining greater adoption. It is believed that both approaches require periodic calibration based on actual well testing to compare actual rates from a meter or separator as compared to the model derived rates.
Virtual flow metering relies on conventional measurements for analysis and modeling
Virtual flow metering (VFM) solutions are software model based and typically ….. To learn more check out https://bit.ly/2KxHhKu