Development of a Steady-State Point Model for Prediction of Gas/Oil and Water/Oil Pipe Flow

Abstract

We report the development and testing of steady-state point models for two-phase gas–liquid and oil–water flow in pipes. A new point model for gas–viscous oil compared well with flow loop data using dense gas (SF6) and viscous oil. However, the flow regime prediction and the modeling of the transition from laminar to turbulent flow regime were found to be in need of further improvement. Data from stratified viscous oil–water experiments were analyzed using the point model for liquid–liquid flow. Traversing gamma densitometry was used to characterize the oil-in-water emulsion layer. Analysis of the measurements confirms the assumption of a flat interface between oil-continuous and water-continuous layers.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Keywords:

• Emulsion
• multiphase flow
• modeling
• viscous oil