Offshore staff
HOUSTON -- Schlumberger has announced the first ever application of multiphase flow metering technology for steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) wells.
"Multiphase flow measurement is a new service for heavy oil and bitumen SAGD production," says Dr. Bruno Pinguet, multiphase domain champion, Schlumberger. "Extreme operating conditions such as high temperatures, unpredictable emulsion properties and a fourth phase—steam—have, until now, meant this type of flow monitoring was not possible with conventional technology in thermal heavy oil operations."
The multiphase flowmeter uses Vx technology to measure the flowrate of each phase from the wellhead without the need for separation tests. The technology enables better understanding of the production dynamics of SAGD wells operated with high-temperature electric submersible pumps (ESP).
This test marks the first-ever multiphase metering operation in SAGD applications, and demonstrates the production optimization potential of this technology for more viscous oils. The test was completed at the site of a Canadian operator, Suncor Energy, in Alberta, Canada.
05/01/2008
