Multiphase Flow Metering

Over the last two decades the development, evaluation and use of MFM systems has been a major focus for the Oil & Gas industry worldwide. Since the early 1990's, when the first commercial meters started to appear, there have been around 2,000 field applications of MFM for field allocation, production optimisation and well testing. So far, many alternative metering systems have been developed, but none of them can be referred to as generally applicable or universally accurate. Both established and novel technologies suitable to measure the flow rates of gas, oil and water in a three-phase flow are reviewed and assessed within this book. Those technologies already implemented in the various commercial meters are evaluated in terms of operational and economical advantages or shortcomings from an operator point of view. The lessons learned about the practical reliability, accuracy and use of the available technology is discussed. The book suggests where the research to develop the next generation of MFM devices will be focused in order to meet the as yet unsolved problems. The book provides a critical and independent review of the current status and future trends of MFM, supported by the authors’ strong background on multiphase flow and by practical examples. These are based on the authors’ direct experience on MFM, gained over many years of research in connection with both operators and service companies. As there are currently no books on the subject of Multiphase Flow Metering for the Oil & Gas industry, this book will fill in the gap and provide a theoretical and practical reference for professionals, academics, and students.

• Written by leading scholars and industry experts of international standing
• Includes strong coverage of the theoretical background, yet also provides practical examples and current developments
• Provides practical reference for professionals, students and academics

Professor Hewitt is an Emeritus Professor of Chemical Engineering at Imperial College London. Professor Hewitt has worked on a variety of subjects in the general field of chemical engineering but his speciality for several decades now has been in mutliphase flow systems, with particular reference to channel flow and heat transfer. He has published many papers and books in this industrially important area and has lectured on the subject widely throughout the world. He has had a wide experience of industrial application through extensive consultancy and contract work and through his founding of the Heat Transfer and Fluid Flow Service (HTFS) at Harwell and Hexxcell Ltd., a spin-out of Imperial College London operating in the area of heat transfer and energy efficiency. Professor Hewitt's contributions to the field have been recognised by his election to the Royal Academy of Engineering (1985), the Royal Society (1990), and the US National Academy of Engineering (1998) in addition to several international awards including Donald Q. Kern Award by AIChE (1981), Max Jakob Award by ASME (1995), and the Luikov Medal by ICHMT (1997). In 2007, he was presented the Global Energy Prize by Vladimir Putin at the World Economic Forum.