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This newsletter is e-mailed by McCrometer monthly to subscribers worldwide. It consists of flow measurement information of interest for professionals in this field.

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McCrometer July 2002 Newsletter

The Future For Wet Gas Meters

Sales of wet gas meters for oil and gas production worldwide are predicted to have modest sales of 60 units by the end of next year, but increasing to 1000 by 2006, and a staggering 16,000 by 2018 [1]. What meters are likely to meet the requirements for wet gas metering? Let's assume a definition for wet gas of 95% Gas Volume Fraction (GVF).

Up to 1% by volume of liquid, where historically no correction has been made for the presence of liquid or a Murdock correction factor has been applied for Orifice and Venturi Meters, the V-Cone Meter may well become the meter of choice. The V-Cone also has the advantage of requiring little-to-no upstream or downstream pipe runs. In the GVF range 95% to about 99%, the Dual Stream Meter, a combination of a Venturi Meter and another DP device, is currently being promoted.

Other possibilities for wet gas measurement include metering units incorporating mathematical techniques that enable "pattern recognition". These meters have potential, provided developments are adequately financed. On the other hand, much money has been invested in developing the Ultrasonic Meter as a wet gas device. Success though has been limited due to problems associated with liquid entrapment in the ports and liquid adherence to the pipe walls. Technologies, such as gamma detection, capacitance, microwave, which are being considered for multi-phase metering, are being adapted to try and find a place in the field of wet gas measurement.

Currently the market has still to decide what the ideal meter is, but the device that gains supremacy will undoubtedly capture a very large market. For more information about McCrometer's options for wet gas metering, contact McCrometer at 951-652-6811 or visit our web-site at www.mccrometer.com.

[1] Andrew Jamieson, 4C Measurement Ltd. Mr Jamieson presented a paper at last year's Flow Measurement Workshop in Kristiansand in Norway entitled "Wet Gas Metering - The Unexpected Challenge - Status and Trends on Technology and Applications."
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Copyright 2002 McCrometer