Roxar, a technology solutions provider to the upstream oil and gas industry, today announced the
launch of its third generation multiphase meter, the Roxar multiphase meter 2600, based on its new Zector technology.
The Roxar MPFM 2600 is the third generation multiphase meter and comes with
new measurement principles. The meter’s Zector technology consists of new field
electronics, new electrode arrangements and sophisticated voxel-based signal processing,
which will provide higher accuracy than was previously available. The new technology
allows for a large number of simultaneous sectors of the flow to be investigated with a
measurement rate of 12,000 measurements per second, giving unparallelled possibilities
for interpretation.
The technology allows for an accurate understanding of flow regimes, mixing
effects and velocity profiles, and can detect rapid changes in compositon, thereby making
the measurements even more accurate and consistent than other available technology. The
new technology measures multiple oil and gas flow velocities as a function of its 4D
location, for example, near wall velocity will be different to centre of pipe velocity.
Velocities will also vary over time due to composition, turbulence, viscosity and other
effects.
A simple and light-weight design
The MPFM 2600 comes in a new simple and light-weight design which, at 110kg
(220lbs) and 650mm (25.5in), is 80% lighter and 50% shorter than previous Roxar
multiphase meters. This allows the operators to install the MPFM 2600 on individual
wells and in previously inaccessible locations. The standard version of the MPFM 2600 is
without radioactive technology and covers the full operating range 0%-100% watercut and
0%-100% GVF. For special applications or GVF (gas void fractions) above 95% it is
recommended to add a compact gamma density system to the meter.
Roxar CEO Gunnar Hviding said, “With 25 years of innovation and as the industrial inventor of multiphase
metering, Roxar has shaped many of the key milestones in the evolution of multiphase
metering. Today’s introduction of the MPFM 2600 and its Zector technology is another
such milestone. There are two important factors behind the MPFM 2600 – one technological and
one commercial. The technological aspect is that this meter introduces a completely new
measurement principle; a non-radioactive algorithm and capacitance based signals to
measure density.”
“From a commercial perspective, the meter is also more compact, comes
with higher performance, and, due to its suitability for installation on individual wells,
will, I believe, significantly drive the adaptation of this technology globally. According to Rystad Energy Global, 12% of global oil and gas production is
facilitated by Roxar multiphase meters. We expect the MPFM 2600 and its innovative
Zector technology to play a crucial role in increasing this percentage over the coming
years,” he concluded.
Multiphase meters simultaneously measure oil, gas and water from an oil or gas
well and are used in the industry as a ‘speedometer’ for producing wells. If a well is
overproduced the well may be damaged, resulting in loss of oil recovery from the field. If
a well is under-produced, the operator will loose near term cash flow. The multiphase
meters help the operator maximise cash flow through maximum production rates but
reduce the risk of overproduction and therefore loss of late recoverable oil. The meters
are also used to allocate revenue between different partners in a field.
A pioneer and global market leader
Roxar is the pioneer in multiphase metering and is today the global market leader.
Roxar has developed multiphase meters since 1984, and launched the first generation
multiphase meter operating on a single velocity basis (meaning that only the velocity of
oil was measured) in 1992. In 2001, Roxar introduced the second generation, dual-velocity
meter, where the individual velocities of oil and gas are measured.
The most important new feature of the Roxar MPFM 2600 is the Zector
technology which has three main elements: the Voxel-based signal processing, the DP26
electrode geometry and new impedance electronics.
The Voxel-based signal processing defines the flow into separate volumes –
voxels or volumetric pixels as they are known. The system, which operates
alongside the electrode geometry and field electronics, is in 4D.
Rather than a velocity model consisting of two discrete velocities, Roxar can
now boast a multi-velocity system. This improves accuracy and performance in less than perfect flow conditions. Near wall measurements and
cross-volume measurements also provide a comprehensive mapping of the
dynamics of the flow.
The new compact DP26 electrode geometry sensor allows for measurements
in separate sectors in addition to the full cross sectional area. This results in
more combinations and more accurate fraction measurements and velocities
for each segment.
The electrode assembly also comes with a completely new mechanical design
with no internal wires or soldering points, making calibration simpler and
faster and ensuring greater consistency between meters.
The new field electronics system allows for capacitance and conductance
measurements to be combined. Rather than switching between oil and water
continuous mode in a matter of seconds, operators can now switch modes in
milliseconds. Furthermore, whereas contact electrodes have traditionally
suffered from variable surface resistance, this is overcome by the MPFM 2600
using four of the six electrodes in the six-electrode geometry for conductivity
measurement.
A field replaceable insert venturi also allows for extended service life and
operating range, and removes uncertainties in sizing meters based on uncertain
production forecasts. A compact isolation valve and a multi transmitter for
pressure, temperature and differential pressure enables highly accurate
differential pressure measurements.
The MPFM 2600 also includes an analog devices Blackfin® processor with low
energy requirements. This enables fast and extensive signal processing at the front-end
electronics.
Roxar creates value for its customers through its reservoir interpretation,
reservoir modelling, reservoir simulation, well and completion, production and
process solutions and consultancy services.