Author : Ego C. Obukohwo, Okologume C. Wilfred, Dulu Appah and Marcus B. Umeleuma

Multiphase flow metering (MPFM) use has seen considerable growth and adoption in the oil and gas industries. The real time multiphase flow metering is an advanced technology for production allocation and monitoring. It is a virtual metering technology that is located either remotely in a control room or on the MPFMs. The challenge of real-time MPFM in exploration well monitoring and optimization is to resolve the uncertainty of the well conditions so that the monitoring operation maybe carried out in a controlled and safe manner. In this study, a computer program was developed to show a real-time (MPFM) model utilizing Coriolis meter principle to convert volumetric rates and faction at test condition to standard condition. The systems have mostly been pipeline model enabling it to simulate process state in pipeline in real time reaching from well to inlet facilities on a production unit. The study result generated by the real-time MPFM for the inputted parameters was observed to be a steady state flow rate at standard condition of pressure and temperature measurements. A deterministic economic model was also developed to consider the economic viability to install the multiphase flow meter (MPFM) as an effective alternative to test separators, test lines and offshore test barges for production monitoring, allocation and well testing operation. Analysis of the economic evaluation model was performed by calculating the production life of the well, which is directly linked with the working duration of the MFPM to give reliable analysis as production declines and new flow regimes prevail. Capital expenditures (CAPEX) and operating expenditures (OPEX) for the brand of MFPM to be installed is provided and the depreciating service life of the MPFM is calculated using a straight-line depreciation method. The NPVs calculated shows that it was economically viable to install the multiphase flow meter (MPFM) considered.

Keywords: OPEX, CAPEX, Coriolis meter, MPFM, Multiphase flow, Metering.

Article published in International Journal of Current Engineering and Technology, Vol.5, No.4 (Aug-2015)