This thesis presents an improved model for gas-liquid two-phase flow in churn and annular flow regimes for small- and large-diameter in vertical and near-vertical pipes. This new model assumes that a net liquid film moves upward along the pipe wall and gas phase moves upward, occupying the majority of the central part of the pipes, and forming a gas core, in both flow regimes. The model is validated using field and laboratory experimental data from several different studies from the literature, in terms of pressure along the wellbore or bottomhole pressure for field conditions (for high-pressure flows in long pipes, and using hydrocarbons fluids), and pressure-gradient and liquid holdup for experimental laboratory data, for pipe diameters ranging from 0.0318 to 0.279 m (1.2520 to 11 in). The proposed model presents an overall better performance when compared to several other multiphase flow models widely used in the oil and gas industry.
This model is also tested in the application of prediction of liquid loading in gas wells. Liquid loading is generally associated with a reduction of ultimate recovery of gas wells. Liquid loading inception is simulated using nodal analysis technique. This study suggests that liquid loading initiates when the Inflow Performance Relationship (IPR) curve is tangent to the TPR curve. This study also proposes a new concept of a modified Tubing Performance Relationship (TPR) curve in order to predict the time liquid loading initiates and when the gas well will stop flowing after reaching this condition. Field data is used for validation of this approach. The use of conventional models shows a significant mismatch predicting the inception of liquid loading, while the use of the tangent concept reduces this mismatch significantly.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LSU/oai:etd.lsu.edu:etd-07012016-125344 |
| Date | 11 July 2016 |
| Creators | Viana Pagan, Erika |
| Contributors | Waltrich, Paulo, Kam, Seung, Williams, Wesley C |
| Publisher | LSU |
| Source Sets | Louisiana State University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Source | http://etd.lsu.edu/docs/available/etd-07012016-125344/ |
| Rights | unrestricted, I hereby certify that, if appropriate, I have obtained and attached herein a written permission statement from the owner(s) of each third party copyrighted matter to be included in my thesis, dissertation, or project report, allowing distribution as specified below. I certify that the version I submitted is the same as that approved by my advisory committee. I hereby grant to LSU or its agents the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible, under the conditions specified below and in appropriate University policies, my thesis, dissertation, or project report in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. I retain all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis, dissertation or project report. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis, dissertation, or project report. |
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