New method to interpret two-phase profiles from temperature and flowmeter logs

The conventional method to measure two-phase flow rates downhole combines flowmeter and holdup measurements. This method requires assumptions about slip velocity to interpret the flow profile for both phases. Uncertainty about the slip velocity and errors in both holdup and velocity measurements often reduce the reliability of the method. As a consequence, there has been substantial effort concentrated on developing new tools for two-phase flow well measurements. This paper presents a new way to use conventional tools, a temperature and a flowmeter log, to determine the flow rate of each phase for wells producing oil and water. The method is based on a simultaneous solution of mass and energy balances, which provides independent sets of information, if the oil/water heat capacities are different, to infer the flow rates of both phases with depth. The new method does not depend on slip velocity assumptions. This paper presents the mathematical model of the new method, and discusses the feasibility and reliability of the method. We illustrate the method with both synthetic and field cases with satisfactory results.

New method to interpret two-phase profiles from temperature and flowmeter logs Conference Paper