Continuous-phase fluid velocity measurement for oil field flows using local optical probe and tracing method

Rogerio T. Ramos; Andrew Holmes

doi:10.1117/12.411729

29 December 2000 Continuous-phase fluid velocity measurement for oil field flows using local optical probe and tracing method

Rogerio T. Ramos, Andrew Holmes

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 4202, Industrial Sensing Systems; (2000) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.411729
Event: Environmental and Industrial Sensing, 2000, Boston, MA, United States

Abstract

The measurement of the velocities of oil and water phases in the bore-hole of a producing well, together with volume fraction measurement, gives the flow rate of each fluid phase. Even though radioactive tracers methods provides a good velocity measurement, safety concerns and regulations makes their use unattractive. We propose a method of measuring fluid velocity using local optical fiber probes and tracer techniques. A fluorescence dye is injected into the bore-hole where it is mixed with the fluid of interest. An optical fiber probe is positioned down-stream from the point of injection detects the passage of the tracer with the flow. The time between injection and detection enables one to calculate the flow velocity for a given distance between injector and detector. The same local probes cold also be used for hold-up estimation. We describe laboratory experiments using a flow loop, fluorescence dye as tracer and an optical fiber probe. The dependency of the injection to detection distance to the flow mixing is observed. Best results for average velocity estimation can be achieved for long distances. Measurements at short distances are possible but some kind of flow model may be needed to interpret the results.

Citation Download Citation

Rogerio T. Ramos and Andrew Holmes "Continuous-phase fluid velocity measurement for oil field flows using local optical probe and tracing method", Proc. SPIE 4202, Industrial Sensing Systems, (29 December 2000); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.411729

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