Characterization of Oil-Water Flow Patterns in Vertical and Deviated Wells

Abstract

Summary An oil-water flow pattern classification and characterization for wellbores is proposed based on the integrated analysis of experimental data, including frictional pressure drop, holdup, and spatial phase distribution, acquired in a transparent test section (2-in. i.d., 51-ft long) using a refined mineral oil and water (ρo / ρw = 0.85,μ o /μw 20.0, and σo-w = 33.5dyn/cm at 90°F). The tests covered inclination angles of 90°, 75°, 60°, and 45° from horizontal. The oil-water flow patterns have been classified into two major categories given by the status of the continuous phase, including water-dominated flow patterns and oil-dominated flow patterns. It was found that most water-dominated flow patterns show signifi- cant slippage but relatively low frictional pressure gradients. In contrast, all the oil-dominated flow patterns exhibit negligible slippage but significantly larger frictional pressure gradients. Six flow patterns have been characterized in upward vertical flow; three were water dominated and three were oil dominated. In upward inclined flow there were four water-dominated flow patterns, two oil-dominated flow patterns and a transitional flow pattern. Flow-pattern maps for each of the tested inclination angles are presented. A mechanistic model to predict flow-pattern transitions in vertical wells is proposed. The transitions to the very-fine- dispersed flow patterns were evaluated by combining the concepts of turbulent kinetic energy with the surface free energy of the droplets, while the transitions to the churn flow pattern and the phase inversion were predicted based on the concept of agglomeration. The model compares favorably with the measured data.