A Study of Multiphase Flow Behavior in Vertical Wells
A. Rashid Hasan, SPE, U. of North Dakota
C. Shah Kabir, SPE, Schlumberger Overseas S.A
Summary. This paper presents a physical model for predicting flow pattern, void fraction, and pressure drop during multiphase flow in vertical wells. The hydrodynamic conditions giving rise to various flow patterns are first analyzed. The method for predicting void fraction and pressure drop is then developed. In the development of the equations for pressure gradient, the contribution of the static head, frictional loss, and kinetic energy loss are examined. Laboratory data from various sources show excellent agreement with the model.
Conclusions
This study presents a model for predicting flow behavior of two-phase gas/oil mixtures in vertical oil wells. The major advantage of the proposed method is that it is based on the physical behavior of the flow and therefore is more reliable than available correlations under diverse production conditions. Data from various sources verify the accuracy of the model.
Specifically, the model is capable of predicting flow regime, void fraction; and pressure drop at any point in the flow string. Development of the model is summarized below and the proposed equations are presented in the Appendix.
1. The bubbly/slug transition criteria, void fraction, and pressure drop in bubbly- and slug-flow regimes are developed from our experimental work. Data from other sources are also used to support the proposed theory.
2. An appropriate model is proposed to handle two-phase bubbly and slug flow in an annular channel, such as in a tubing/casing annulus. Our laboratory data are used to develop this model.
3. Transition criteria for the existence of annular-flow and pressure-drop prediction are based on sound hydrodynamic theory. However, the same cannot be stated for the churn flow. Because of lack of extensive work, slug/churn transition criteria remain a weak link in the model.
汉语翻译
垂直井筒中多相流流动规律研究
摘要 本文提出了一个以预测的流动型态、孔隙率、多相流在垂直井筒中的压降的物理模型。首先要分析的是流体动力学的条件下提出的不同的流动型态。然后再分析预测孔隙率和压降的模型。在推导压力梯度方程式的过程中,验证了重力损失、摩擦损失和动能损失的影响,这一模型能与多种来源的实验数据相契合。
结论
本文给出了一格预测垂直油井中油气两相混合物流动特性的模型。这种方法的主要优点是它是基于流动的物理特性,因此在多种生产条件下比现有的关系式更可靠。从多种途径得到的数据证实了这一模型的准确性。
这个模型能够预测生产管柱中任意点的流动类型、空隙率和压降。
1.在泡状流和段塞流中,泡状流/段塞流的转换准则、空隙率和压降将通过我们的试验工作中得到。从其他途径得到的数据也用来证明这一推测。
2.提出了一个适当的模型来处理环空中的两相泡状流和段塞流,比如油套环空的流动。我们用试验数据来得到这个模型。
3.现有的环空流动的流型转换准则和压降预测是基于声波水动力学理论的。然而,因为工作上的很多不足,这一理论不能用于搅拌流,这个模型中的段塞流/搅拌流转换准则仍是一个弱点。