Print this pagePredicting Sand Effect from Pressure Drop in Gas Flow in from Inclined Pipeline
The calculation of pressure losses for sizing of surface flow lines and transmission lines for inclined flow over hilly terrain, and for offshore-to-onshore facilities, is a necessity. This makes it very important for field engineers to obtain accurate pressure drop prediction for oil and gas wells. One key factor that alters the prediction is concurrent flow of sand in the pipeline. This could either lead to overestimation or underestimation of the pressure drop due to fluid flow. Consequently, the design of surface flow lines, and artificial lift installation are severely faulted.
Most literatures treated the sand flow with gas as homogenous without considering the interdependent variables involve. This paper checks the effect of sand flow along with gas for inclined pipeline. Software that automates pressure drop correlations for single phase and multiphase flow, with or without sand effect is also presented in detail.
AAPG Search and Discover Article #90100©2009 AAPG International Conference and Exhibition 15-18 November 2009, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil