Modernising Standards to Meet Today's Needs

Client name: Confidential

Industry: Chemical and Process

Profile: The current wet-gas measurement standards are acknowledged by industry and regulators to be limited and in need of revision. To advance these standards and to provide guidance for measuring wet-gas flows, TÜV SÜD National Engineering Laboratory carried out a number of pieces of research in its gas flow facility and in its Advanced Multiphase Facility. This work provided a better understanding of how installation effects and line pressure impact on meter performance. The main benefits of this research were a reduction in measurement uncertainty and financial exposure from flow meters installed in the field, as well as lowering the cost of wet-gas meters.

Business challenge: The push to recover hydrocarbons from more difficult fields, optimise production, and lower its environmental impact present new measurement challenges. The exploitation of tighter geological formations and subsea lead to the need for non-standard meter installations (i.e. deviations from traditional horizontal meter installations). The industry is also facing the challenge of accurate flow measurement in the presence of water and at high and low line pressures. The current wet gas measurement standards ISO/TR 11583:2012 and ISO/TR 12748:2015 are acknowledged by both industry and regulators to be in need of revision. Gaps in the standard are having a significant effect on the development of new gas fields in the UK and, so, subsequently posing a risk to the UK’s energy security and the energy transition. Natural gas is expected to be a key vector in the energy transition, not just due to its current uses but to produce blue hydrogen.

Our approach: To address these issues and to advance standards and guidance for measuring wet gas, TÜV SÜD National Engineering Laboratory used both its gas flow facility and its Advanced Multiphase Facility to investigate the impact that the orientation of installed meters and line pressure have on measurement accuracy. The facilities (which have the capability for three-phase testing), were also used to undertake an assessment of the measurement effects of water when it is present in production fluids.

Our solution: This research provided a better understanding of how installation and line pressure affects meter performance (including measurement uncertainty and stability). The work allowed the development of reference data and correction factors to reduce measurement bias.

Business benefits: The main benefits of TÜV SÜD National Engineering Laboratory’s research are a reduction in measurement uncertainty caused by flow meters installed in the field. The significance of this work will be substantial. Gaps in the standard have created measurement uncertainties, sometimes larger than 10%. This means that, due to inadequate standards, industry and stakeholders are facing substantial financial exposure every year.

For further information on this work please contact [email protected]

Related services: National Measurement System | Chemical Testing | Flow Measurement | Flow Meter Calibration | CFD Modelling