Continuous gamma-ray densitometry in a borehole flow meter

Author

Fitzgerald, John B. ; Stephenson, Kenneth E.

Author_Institution

Schlumberger Cambridge Res., UK

Volume

2

fYear

2003

fDate

19-25 Oct. 2003

Firstpage

732

Abstract

In-situ, continuous, downhole monitoring of fluid flow rates is necessary for optimal control and operation of a hydrocarbon well. In this paper, we will discuss an extremely simple and robust device that provides model independent measurement of oil, water and gas flow rates in multiphase flow. The device, composed of a Venturi and a gamma-ray densitometer, is insensitive to well deviation and flow regime. The densitometer utilizes an extremely low activity radioisotope source but is capable of monitoring fluid mixture density to very high precision. In the paper, we will detail the theory behind the densitometer, review flow loop measurements for oil/water and oil/gas flows, present the results of Monte Carlo modeling of the effects of natural activity on the densitometer, and show the results of a field test of the device.

Keywords

Monte Carlo methods; densitometry; flow measurement; flowmeters; gamma-ray detection; multiphase flow; oil drilling; optimal control; well logging; Monte Carlo modeling; Venturi; borehole flow meter; continuous gamma-ray densitometry; flow meter; fluid flow rates; gas flow rates; hydrocarbon well; in-situ continuous downhole monitoring; low activity radioisotope source; mandrel; model independent measurement; multiphase flow; oil flow rates; optimal control; production logging; simple robust device; water flow rates; Density measurement; Fluid flow; Fluid flow measurement; Hydrocarbons; Monitoring; Monte Carlo methods; Optimal control; Petroleum; Radioactive materials; Robustness;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Nuclear Science Symposium Conference Record, 2003 IEEE

ISSN

1082-3654

Print_ISBN

0-7803-8257-9

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/NSSMIC.2003.1351803

Filename

1351803