Single and Multi-phase Flow Loop Testing Results for Industry Standard Inflow Control Devices

Abstract

Abstract Nozzle/orifice, tube, and helix Inflow Control Devices (ICDs) have been tested for flow performance at the Statoil multi-phase flow loop facility in Porsgrunn, Norway. The test results are given as performance curves for single phase oil, water and gas. Two phase tests have also been run for oil/water and oil/gas. Results confirm that single phase ICD flow performance characteristics can be accurately described with a physical model, and corrected by an error function which is predominately dependent on the Reynolds Number. For the fluids tested, the gas and water cut multi-phase data exhibits reasonable correlation to the single phase loss coefficient values for nozzle/orifices, water cut only for tube ICDs, and does not exhibit correlation to the water or gas cut multi-phase loss coefficient values for helix designs, especially at higher choke settings.