Multiphase and Virtual Flow Metering Solutions

ARC's Multiphase Flow Metering and Virtual Flow Metering Solutions Market Research delivers current market analysis plus a five year market and technology forecast. It is available in multiple editions including worldwide, all regions, and most major countries. The research covers Soft Sensors, Virtual Sensors, Production Allocation, Real-Time Well Monitoring, Strategic Analysis, Market Size, Industry Trends, Historical Analysis.

Real-time Flow Measurements Drive the Multiphase Flow Metering Solutions Market

ARC Advisory Group research on the Multiphase Flow Metering (MPFM) and Virtual Flow Metering (VFM) market reveals that owner-operators and independents are increasingly relying on multiphase flow metering and virtual flow metering solutions for real-time measurements for production monitoring, field surveillance, and production optimization. Multiphase flow metering solutions are enabling end users to save on the cost and space of production and test separators while simultaneously obtaining more real-time flow measurements. This provides real-time visibility, greater operational agility, and flexibility to adapt to changing flow regimes characteristic of mature oil and gas wells.

Multiphase Flow Metering Strategic Issues

In addition to providing a five-year market forecast, the Multiphase and Virtual Flow Metering Solutions market research provides detailed quantitative current market data and addresses key strategic issues as follows.

Suppliers Need to Act as Partners

Investing in a multiphase flow metering solution as part of an overall strategic approach to enhance oilfield operations is not a trivial matter given the relative expense of the actual unit and associated testing, installation, maintenance, and calibration related expenses, which some sources indicate can comprise 25 percent, 50 percent, or more of the cost of the hardware. In addition, there is the cost in downtime of stopping well production to install the multiphase flow metering unit on a well that is already producing. Therefore, end users are recommended to seek out suppliers that are willing to invest sufficient time, resources, product development/customization, and service and support necessary to enable the successful deployment and operation of the multiphase flow metering solution for the duration of the project. 

One area of consideration for end users lies in seeking partnerships involving well testing services, particularly in mobile well testing, as a means of outsourcing some or all aspects of this operational area to keep costs low and manage projects more effectively in lieu of likely reductions in staff due to the departure of seasoned personnel to due volatile oil and gas prices. Several suppliers have developed more extensive well testing service offerings and capabilities in recognition of this growing need to outsource some or all aspects of well testing and/or monitoring. Users seeking to consider virtual flow metering solutions should also expect their chosen supplier to work closely with them to ensure the development of the most robust and accurate models possible, as both parties have the same common objective in terms of deploying a solution that provides sufficient real-time accurate measurements to enable effective well monitoring, production optimization, or multiphase flow metering backup/validation.

Multiphase Flow Metering Solutions Should Be Designed to Handle Operational and Environmental Challenges

Users should take the time to investigate the expected flow regimes from the wells to be measured and determine the production envelope, and then select suppliers that can provide a multiphase flow metering solution with a corresponding envelope and the measurement technologies best suited to meet any specific challenges, such as high GVF, wet gas, heavy oil, etc. Since fluid flow in the bore is influenced by several factors, including pipe diameter, flow rate, fluid type and characteristics–density and viscosity–and well bore deviation, end users should make sure to work closely with suppliers and/or testing organizations to better understand the impact these factors can have on MPFM solutions. Since an increasing number of wells are being drilled horizontally or at least with some deviation from perfectly vertical, the challenges of multiphase flow measurement are even more complex.

Some customers may be dealing with light oil producing wells, which have low to moderate production. In such instances, ARC believes that an overly complicated MPFM solution may not be required, and it would be prudent for the end user to consider a solution based on less expensive technologies such as advanced Coriolis, water-cut meter, virtual flow meter, etc. In short, end users should only invest in multiphase flow metering solutions that are good enough in terms of accuracy, reliability, and repeatability to meet their requirements; otherwise, they run the risk of overpaying for performance that may be unwarranted for low production wells. Virtual flow metering solutions are based on models that can be tailored for the parameters of a specific well and by phase measurement. However, they need to be validated and calibrated in a timely manner to ensure that they are providing accurate real-time measurements in order to be worthy of the initial investment.