MULTIFLOWMET - Multiphase Flow Reference Metrology

Europe, and the world, will be dependent for many decades to come on the production of oil and gas for its energy needs. Multiphase flow measurement is a fundamental enabling metrology in subsea oil and gas production. However, field measurements exhibit high measurement uncertainty, costing industry billions of euros in financial exposure and production inefficiencies. To improve this situation requires a reference measurement capability that is consistent and comparable across different test laboratories that offer this service. This joint European research project sought to address this need by establishing harmonisation of measurements between multiphase flow reference laboratories.

The project is now complete and highlights include the completion of an uncertainty methodology protocol.  This is a fundamental basis of harmonisation for intercomparison testing between labs and covers the requirements for the calculation and expression of measurement uncertainty specifically for multiphase labs; including common sources of uncertainty, facility design and multiphase flow pattern.

The final report details the results of the intercomparison tests and the findings of additional experimental research carried out at TÜV SÜD National Engineering Laboratory, DNV GL and NORCE.  Metrological comparability (ζ<1) was achieved for 94% of all test points for gas volume flow and 87.5% of all test points for liquid volume flow.  The results of the additional experiments conducted informed understanding of the reason for the outliers where metrological comparability was not achieved.  Upstream geometrical variances, phase transitions and pressure were identified as the parameters most crucial to control in order to achieve measurement comparability. 

All outputs and findings from the projects can be downloaded below.

Publishable Summary

Technical Papers

Guidance

Standardisation

Other Resources

This project MultiFlowMet II received funding from the EMPIR programme co-financed by the Participating States and from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme.