Improving Gas-Condensate Recovery Factor and Addressing the Flow Assurance Issue with an Innovative and Highly Accurate Fluid Sensors for Wet Gas Business

Abstract In wet gas business, the fundamental challenge from a metrology point of view is to detect either condensed water or first formation water entry. This need is related to the flow assurance concerns, mitigation process to be started with chemical injection, and detection of water breakthrough at reservoir level. In recent years, operators have requested multiphase and/or only wet gas meter manufacturers to solve these challenges by additional measurement and specifically the ‘salinity’ measurement (i.e. conductivity). Most of the manufacturers have responded by incorporating additional sensors into their conventional meter, which address the fundamental problems that their technology is facing and to correct the bias coming from a change of salinity, but unfortunately, it is also increasing the entire complexity and equipment cost. This paper is describing the development of the most innovative solution to obtain this additional conductivity measurement and thru this versatility in the installation of the sensor becoming an enabler for some oil and gas operators that can obtain a very cost effective solution in some field developments. The paper is explaining the fundamental principle, and the entire process of qualification encountered over 4 years for obtaining a commercial solution including for high pressure and temperature conditions. The performance of the conductivity measurement will be check against the best flow loop references around the world. The paper demonstrates that even in control conditions with only few tenth to hundredth ppm of liquid (0.001%), it is possible to discriminate the different phases, even the condensate formation inside the pipe (crossing the dew line). This innovative solution is a breakthrough for any wet gas development where flow assurance is critical.