STUDY OF MULTIPHASE FLOW BEHAVIOR IN VERTICAL OIL WELLS: PART 1 - THEORETICAL TREATMENT.

In the first part of this two-paper set, the authors present a theoretical model for predicting pressure drop during multiphase flow. Model development consists of studying the hydrodynamic conditions that give rise to the various flow pattern transitions. The method for estimating pressure drop in each flow regime is then developed. In developing the equations for pressure gradient, the contribution of the static head, the frictional loss, and the kinetic energy loss are examined. This aspect of the study points out the importance of the static head term and the necessity of estimating the insitu gas void fraction accurately. Laboratory data, are presented in support of the proposed model. The agreement between the theory and experimental works is excellent.

STUDY OF MULTIPHASE FLOW BEHAVIOR IN VERTICAL OIL WELLS: PART 1 - THEORETICAL TREATMENT. Conference Paper