Two Phase Flow in Surface Facilities

Abstract

Surging and fluctuations in plant pressure resulting from two phase flow cause difficulties in plant operations. Two phase flow pressure drop and simple economics were used to identify the range of diameters, flow rates, and physical properties expected in the wellhead to separator piping. Mapping these conditions on a modification of the Dukler two phase flow regime chart showed that such systems operate in the boundary region between stratified and annular flow. Any obstructions or bends in the pipeline will alter the flow of liquid and vapor differently causing discontinuous flow rates and giving rise to unstable operating conditions. In designing a control system and apparatus for handling the two phase flow from well to the separator it is necessary to take in to account the characteristics of the flow regime.