Multiphase Flow Regime Characterization and Liquid Flow Measurement Using Low-Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Area of Science:

• Petroleum Engineering
• Flow Measurement Technology
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Background:

• Multiphase flow metering is crucial for the petroleum industry, facing challenges with diverse flow profiles.
• Existing systems often struggle with accuracy across varying fluid properties and production volumes.
• Low-field magnetic resonance (MR) offers a potential solution for robust, real-time multiphase flow measurement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the application of low-field MR technology for metering two-phase air-water horizontal flows.
• To assess the capability of MR in measuring instantaneous liquid holdup and velocity.
• To determine the accuracy of MR-based flow rate determination across different multiphase flow conditions.

Main Methods:

• Utilized low-field magnetic resonance (MR) measurement technology.
• Employed a constant gradient low flip angle Carr-Purcell Meiboom-Gill (LFA-CPMG) pulse sequence.
• Analyzed correlations between liquid holdup and liquid flow velocity for flow profile characterization.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated that low-field MR can measure instantaneous liquid holdup and velocity in air-water flows.
• Showcased the LFA-CPMG sequence's effectiveness in sampling holdup-velocity correlations.
• Achieved accurate liquid flow rate determination, independent of multiphase flow profiles in horizontal pipes.

Conclusions:

• Low-field MR technology is a viable and accurate method for multiphase flow metering in the petroleum industry.
• The LFA-CPMG pulse sequence enables robust characterization of multiphase flow profiles.
• This MR-based approach offers a wide dynamic range for flow rate determination, overcoming profile-dependent inaccuracies.