SPE 12912 SPE ‘Sect of Puram nae FAME Fluid-Level Determinations Through Internal Flush Tubing Without Depth, Temperature, or Pressure Limitations by S.G. Weeks, Shell Western E&P Inc.; A.L. Podio, U. of Texas; and J.N. McCoy, Echometer Co. Mombers SPE-AIME ‘Copy 1964 Sony of Pevanom Ergraess 5 AE ‘rear was orate athe 1888 Rosty Moun Raps Meng tat Caspar WY. May beauna, Perino copy aed anabactt no more an SO Woe WH SPE B58 hea ME eee et “eves 72206 USA Tele Phos GOED AnsTRACT Potential hazards of wireline exposures to hostile 00, and ll,S environmenta often discourage running bottoh hole pressure (BHP) surveys. While surface pressure bullé-ups say be utilised for dry-gea vells, detailed analyses may be of Linited value vhere there {= also liquid production. ‘concurrent fluid level geterainations can be used co enhance che vaiue of surface build-ups. Other Practical applications of fluid leve! determinations include @ means of monitoring Lquid loading or depths of fluid displecenent, ‘uch as encountered during sone stimulation oF corrosion inhibition treatuents. Detatied testing, of a recently developed high-pressure acoustical well sounder, verifies thee fluid Jevels can now, be determined even under the aost adverse well conditions. auraopucr1: Subsequent]; attention has also been tovard applications pertaining to ti couprehensive gas t4 ‘nual published by ‘the Cegagign Energy Resources Conservation Board’ *"*"7, “Uses of basic fluid level data, along vith previous cane of obtaining this information are discuss publicatione. sn detail in thes Fluid levels may be determined by Generating a pressure pulse at the Gtrected dovm the vellhead - and recording the echoes from collars and ultinately any liquid level oxteting in the vellbore, Firing a blank cartridge (22-45 caliber or 10 gauge) was the Bost frequent source of « sound wave oF pulse until introduction of the Gas-Gun, and then implosion chanbers for higher pressure testing. A nicrophone wellhead attachment converts the Pulses, reflected by cnllara, Liqued obstructions, into electric: anplified, filtered and recor Paper. Until recently the most o Feoults were obtained by "shooting" éovn the casing-tubing annulue in packerless coupletions (Figure 1). Unforcunately, reflections fron Snternal tubing collars could not be defined, especially close~aakeup or internal {lush couplings. Continued search for gas reserves hat resulted in developnent of deeper objectives, a large nunber of which have been tight geopressured recervoize containing CO, and/or Hi. ratures approacKing 500°% Since most of the objectives have required high~voluse waterfrac treatments, water pay also be recovered for extended periods. All of these conditions contribute to a very corrosive ‘environaent. It 4s essential to know che pressure at the formation face to fully evaluate the performance of a gas well. Unfortunately, @ hostile environment often discourages the running of wireline pressure recorders. However, accurate wellhead pressures plus known height of wellbore fluid columns and fluid densities; can provide @ means of calculating dovahole sper gee wells, the ing: 48 isolated Fron the Production string by a packers and nest of the Production tubulars have internal flush Couplings. Thus, there hae been a need for a 1Lxs4060023" 185)FLUID LEVEL DETERMINATIONS TWROUGH INTERNAL FLUSH TUBING WITHOUT DEPTH, TEMPERATURE OR PRESSURE LIMITATIONS SPE 12912 ‘very sensitive AVS that can be used to detect Tula leveis down internal flush tubing--vithout pressure, teaperature or depth Limteati DEVELOPMENT OF HIGH PRESSURE LIQUID EBVEL ACOUSTIC TOOL Weltheads for geopressured completions routinely inciude 316 Stainless Steel (83), high pressure needle valves bolov ail vellhead pressure gauges. By removing the Communieation with the tubing or casing-tubing ‘annulus can be established by operation of the needle valve--vithout installation of any ‘dditional equipaent that vould interfere with Well operations (Figure No. 2), With chis in ind, @ single untt 30,000-pet test acoustic tool was designed for connecting to the needle valve (Figure 24). The couplete unit includes Pressure gauge, volune chanber, poppet or quick Opening relesse valve, and a bleed valve plus @ very sensitive alerophone (Figures 28 6 26), In anticipation of Linited exposure to CO, and #8, the vellhead etcachsent {2 constructed “from austenitic stainless steel. Due to easier ‘aachining, 303 $8 is utilized rather than 316 35. Ae shut-in vellnead temperatures vould be nominal, and actual exposure of the ‘acoustical ‘vellhead attachment to vellbore Hutds very Lintted, the 303 85 1s considered quite acceptable, The acoustie tool operates on the taplosion principle. To operate, the wing handle ta Fotates £0 a position vhere the poppet valve ts free ¢o travel upward tn an open position. After the chanber has bean exposed to the vell pressure, the wing hondle Se rotated sine che poppet valve ia forced shut, Theny the bleed Valve 49 used to reduce the volune fo approxinately 500 pat below the vell pressure, Further rotation of the wing handie renoves the ranp vhich holds down the pet valve and-allovs the greater well are £0 "pop" open the poppet valve, Ereates an {eplosion (negative) pressure pulee which travels chrough the needle valve, wellhead fd downhole tubulars via the ges aediua in the Wellbore to be reflected by collars, or other obstructions and ultinately any gae-Liquié evel. jute waver deflect the fe electrical stgnale which fn turn are transmitted to an auplifier = recorder (Figure 3). Depth to the 1iguid level can be deternined by counting the nuaber of collars to the Liquid level fron the surface or known reference point. Tie FLELD TRIALS AND EVALUTATIONS, Several aus (lds in South Texan voce setactes £6" senaation sf thence sell eomeees Giieat ete objectives in eke orecal-invane, ange xen 10,000 C0 25,000 feet "needed tee Ineluuee fe’ f'tor i Coy and p co 100998 Ag. shoot cepiatione tnaode P7)éniset Anternal flush tubing vith aa email as 0.0152 inch internal spacing bervean askeup of the couplings (Figure 4). Although, in most cases, the tubing is isolated from the production cesing by a packer; holes have been punched through the tubing imediately above the pecker, in sone of the lover pressure wella, to enable continuous lov-voluse corrosion inhibition. Initially, reconnaissance "shooting" was conducted to ascertain the seneitivity of the ew acoustic tool. This trial indicated the ‘equipnent to be vory versatile, with acceptable results indicated for shut-in pressures ranging. from 250 ped to over 10,000 poi. After minor Anprovenents in the quick opening release valve, further tests were made. Coupariaon of fluid level determinations reflected by the acoustic sounder, and vellbore liquid levels indicated by Static BHP curveys, woo First undertaken at a new gas discovery which hed been tested at a rate of 3.8 aillion cubic fest per day. Maximum SITP was 4,500 psi. To our bewilderment, the acoustic tool did not indicate any fluid level above the Landing nipple for the presaure boxb; although tthe production rate had also included 175 barrels condensate. Later, interpretation of the static Wireline BAP survey alo did not reflect, Hluid level. “Subsequent fractional analyses of fluid recoveries plus additional flow teste verified this completion to be in a retrograde Gee-condensate reservoir. That 1o, there wae no free quid je conditions, © botto A second butldup was conducted in a nearby field. In addition to pressure boabe run fon a utreline, dual pressure bosbe were installed at the surface for recording of wellhead Pressures, Stabalized flov from the 12,000-fo0t, ‘completion interval had been 6.15 million CFC plus 66 BUPD. “Maximus SITP vao 6,850 pel. After the Idé-hour buildup, a vireline static survey Andicated « fluid level at 10,600 feet. Final fluid level indicated by the acoustic tool wi 10,701 feet, or less than a 50 pei hydroe pressure differential. In another couparative field cest, final maxteum pressure recorded by dual. BHP’ boobe was 10,560 pet after a 115 hour shut-in period at 13,800 Calculated BUP vas 10,420 pot utilizing the final WAP, a6 measured veing & deadweight tester, plus fluid colusns as indicated by the AUS’ (Figure 5). Although this he a pressure disference of 140 pet, or 1.3%; the final pressure readings for the tvo BHP boabe (pre-calibrated) differed by 110 pat and, WP's Tacorded by two surface bonbe differed from 67 to 123 pei when checked vith the dead-veighe tester, Thus, the calculated BMP ts certainly within the range of BHP data to be determined by routine vireline prasaure surveys, Fluid levels have b¢ conjunction with surface bomb: decersined sn oF a digital TRTOGOOTIE 706SPE 12912, $8. G. Weeks, A. L. Podio & J. N. Me Coy a CO \ At one special inte: Pressure monitor, and SHP boubs at several ‘additional locations. The average fluid level Fetlected by the AS has been vithin one percent of the fluid levels indicated by the wireline ‘static surveys. Additional acoustical fluid levels have since been obtained in most of the geopresaured gas vella in four active, mildly Ttelde, The f1uid level date to date has e180 been utilized aa an aid in determining the rate of fall, of displacement, of corrosion inhibitor ‘and possible Liquid losd-up, Tn one area of perations, ten velle were "shot" after linited shut-in periods, Only evo welle reflected « static fluid level within the tubing. Previously, 1¢ was considered necen nitrogen to assure displaceaent of the thtbitor fo the bottor of the cubing. Results of the flutd level determinations indicate that future trogen displacenent, at least in eight of the wells, will not be neceseary. Thia reaulted in @ sizable savings tn operation expense. ry to use vhere there had bean & continuous buildup in casing preseure, fluid Jevel deterainations down the tubing and tubing-casing annulus were made to afd in locating the point of possible comunication. This date was then utilized to evaluate and plan required renedial work. ¢ location, only oninal fim rates of vary eoxte gee were Tecovered.” The nev acoustic tool vas utilized £0 evaluate failure of apparent lack of productivity, The objective Smackover fornation id been perforated in the interval 13,082 to 13,687 feet. Open-ended production tubing vas run below the perforations and the wellbore fluids ultinacely displaced vith nitrogen, Later, an acid-wash vas perforned and sl6o displaced vith nitrogen.” Although cose gas ves recovered, containing about 30F #6 plus 6% COs, sustained flow could not be established. Fluié level deterninations by use of the AVS indica 4 fluid level in the tubing at 13,000 feet with 250 psd TP, and a fluid Level at 13,700 feet in the tubing-casing annulus with 385 pat CP. As this was considered ineufficient Liquid loading to preclude formation fluid entry, the well vas abandoned without further expenditure. PROJECTED ADDITIONAL APPLICATIONS rree at the formation ‘Thus, frequent calculated DMP analyses can be made for more thorough well perforuance Cost of acquisition of thie Se very nosinal, and vithout riak, compared to several thousand dollars plus the potential hazards of wireline BEP surveys. Conceivably, auch tests could be taken along vith routine well tests, In contrast, there have never been any BEP eutveye run in an area where production includes from 25 to 45% HS and up to" 10% COy- These vells are equipped Gith open-ended tubfeg land & corrosion inhibitor > %0 (8) ‘There are disagreements'°1® over the exact value of n to be used in Eq. 4. The value of n is affected dy impurities in the liquid®, the way bubbles are intro- duced into the column!? and the distance these bubbles travel from the point of injection’. Many workers have used a negative value for the exponent n and expressed a/(1—a)™ as a function of superficial gas velocity. For ‘example, Mensman'* proposes the following relation- ship. = 048 whey cage yma sey ® (=a Akita and Yoshida’® propose a similar equation ‘with slightly different grouping of properties and values of constants. A number of correlations are proposed ‘with e as a function of (u)*. Thus Hikite and Kikukawa'® suggest = 108 (ug) 0/07) He/ny — (8) where the subscript w refers to property values for water. Hikita ot al.!7 suggest a similar equation with different values for exponents. Although the three types of correlations mentioned above in Eqs. 6, 7 and 8 use widely differing values for the exponent 1, predictions of these equations do ot vary greatly because the spplicability of these cor- lations is limited to © narrow range of void frac tion - usually @ < 0.1. Fundamental problems with ‘thete equations are that they are true for only ideal bubbly flow where no entrainment of bubbles in each others wake take place and where bubble concentration ‘across the channel does not vary. These two conditions, however, are never satisfied in an oil well annulus, 790 SPE_13638Lxalues for the parameter O, and property groups (or SPE 13638 A.R. HASAN & C.S. KABIR 3 Zuber and Hench’ suggested modification for the ideal bubbly flow to include the effect of bubble entrain- ent. Wallis® incorporated Zuber and Hench’s modification ‘ind included the effect of variable bubble concentra- tion and velocity across the flow channel. Their sug- gestion leads to the following equation for in-situ gas velocity, vy tg = uy /= Coluy + up) +lig/a) (0) where the flow parameter C, accounts for the variable velocity of the two-phase mixture and the variable con- centration of the gas bubbles from the channel wall to the center. Zuber and Hench'® also suggested that Eq. ‘3 with n= 0 can be used for jgy in this situation, wl gives ig + 1.58|90 (69 — #6)/ 0591" = aaa a (qa) where Cp = ven = 1.63I90 (0g — o4)/09]° The data of Zuber and Findlay"® agrees very well with Eq. 11 when C, = 1.2. If typical property values for crudes (0 = 20 dynes/em, py <1 g/em*) are used, Cx becomes equal to 0.6 ft/sec. and Eq. 11 becomes the Godbey-Dimon? equation for uy < 2 ft/sec. A number of researchers have exprested their void fraction data in the form given by Eq. 11 with different bastante) for the paramter C}°-?, For instance, Hughmark'® correlation is similar to Eq. 11 and for ‘typical erude property values he obtains C, = 2 and Cy = 0.75 ft/sec. Mashelkar®®, Haug”! and Zahradnik!212 also used Eq, 11 and they all obtained C, = 2 and C, = 0.984 ft/sec... Bhaga and Weber™ used an equa- tion similar to Eq. 11 with C, = 109 and C= 0.91 (1-4) v0. All these works, however, were conducted in chan- nels with circular crose-sectional area. Consequently, Eq, 11 may not adequately represent void fraction when ‘g21 is produced through an annulus, For example, the data gathered by Podio et al.* from a constant annular area does not agree with Eq. 1. Concerning Slug Flow At higher gas velocities the agglomerated bubbles become so large that they almost fill the entire avail able flow cross-section, The liquid slugs in between bubbles give the name of the flow pattern, the dynami of which is quite different from bubbly flow. The equs- tions derived for void fraction relationship for bubbly flow is, therefore, not applicable for the slug flow region. For vertical slug flow, the forces of inertia, viscosity and surface tension are the important variables. However, if the dimensionless inverse viscosity Ny|= (Doo — 0)07)"/?/uy] is greater than 300 and the Eotvos num ber [= (gD%(oy — o,)/o] is greater than 100, which are ‘true for all oil wells, the flow is inertia dominant. Under such circumstances, Yee = KlpDlog — o4)/04]'? ~KViD (az) Also for slug flow, the void fraction is given by ‘Wallis a=——“t__ (13) pF uy Foe which, for a stagnant liquid column, reduces to eae rs io % SFKDer~aveT®PREDICTING LIQUID GRADIENT IN A PUMPING WELL ANNULUS SPE 13638 For circular channels, the value of K is experimen- tally found to be 0.345 by White and Beardmore” and 0.346 by Dumitreseu”®. From theoretical analysis, slightly different values of K are arrived at by Davis and Taylor®” and by Dumitreseu®*. Using K = 0.345 and an equaivalent diameter of 3.1 inches for D, Eq. 8 gives em Tha (18) Eq, 16 is suggested by Godbey and Dimon’ for es- timating a when u, > 2 ft/sec., the slug flow transition velocity in their assumption. The applicability of either Eq. 14 or Eq. 15 to our problem is doubtful. For instance, Nicklin et al # points out that variable bubble concentration needs to be accounted for by incorporating another parameter in Bq, 14 much like Eq. 11. Grifith®® shows that for gas slugging through annuli, the outer dismeter - instead of the equivalent diameter - should be used in Eq, 14. In additon, Grifith?? finds K to be dependent upon the ratio of the inside to outside diameter of the tubings. Knowledge of transition point between bubbly and slug flow is required to determine when Eq. 15 appli Godbey and Dimon? suggest that the transition occurs, at a superficial veolicty of about 2 ft/sec. However, Radoveich and Moissis® and Grifith and Snyder** con- clude that, for low liquid flow rates, the transition oc- ‘curs whenever void fraction is greater than 0.3. Taitel and Dukler®? agree with this conclusion and present a theoretical analysis for this fow pattern transition that leads to the following equation for u, in » stagnant li quid column where py >> py by = 0.457(90/p)"/* (18) Amore recent work by Taitel et al.®* recommends aaslight modification of Eq. 16, 0.383 instead of 0.457 as the constant. For typical crude property values, these suggestions yield a transition gas velocity between 0.15 to 0.30 ft/see. Thus there are disagreements regarding the point at which transition to slug flow oceurs. More importantly, all these transition correlations are for cireular cross-sectional channel and may not necessar apply to annular geometry - the system of our interest. PROPOSED o-CORRELATIONS ‘Bubbly Flow For bubbly fiow in an oil well annulus, we propose ‘that void fraction may be estimated by an expression of the form given by Eq. 11. (11) ity FG Recent works in circular cross-sectional channel in- dicate that C; is usually greater than vo. For example, Mashelkar?*, Haug” and Zabradnik™? obtained C) = 0.984 ft/sec with air-water system for which ve. 0.8 ft/sec. Values of C. much higher than 1.2 are also reported by others. We could rewrite Eq. 11 in the fol- lowing form. pape °= Fa, + Bates an) For gas bubbling through an annulus, the values of the parameters A and B, are likely to depend on the in- side and outside diameters, We note that the parameter ©, ia introduced by Zuber and Hench'® to account for the variable bubble concentration and velocity across the flow channel. The variation in bubble concentration and velocity will be accentuated in an annulus by the presence of an inner tube. Additionaly, the inner tube is likely to cause an increase in bubble entrainment. Both of these effects will result in = lowering of gas ‘void fraction with consequent increase in the value of the parameter A. The larger the diameter of the inner ‘tube compared to that of the outer tube, the greater is the increase in A. Assuming this increase in A to be linearly dependent on the inner to outer diameter ratio, ‘we propose that A=A, + Ai(Di/D.) (18) Eq, 18 of course needs to be verified by experimen- tal work.SPE 13638 AcRy HASAN & C.S, KABIR 7 Slus Flow For estimating void fraction during slug flow, we propose a modified form of Eq. 14. As suggested by ‘Wallis, Eq. 19 accounts for variable bubble concentra- tion and velocity eee ity + Kites aed eee Aatiy + Kuy/aD (64 — ¢9)/04 = mae (19) where: K, = K,K =0.345K, if and Bu = Key oD(ey— pe)iog For high velocities, Nicklin et al.°* experimentally determined A, and K; to be 1.2 and 1.0, respectively. Because high velocities are inherent in a slug flow, these Values for the constants appear to be reasonable. However, just as the parameter A in bubbly flow is influenced by the annulus diameters, we expect A, to bbe dependent on the tubing and casing diameters and wish to express this dependency linearly by Ae = Aue + ui (Ds/Do) (20) Influence of annular diameter on bubble rise velocity during slug flow is demonstrated by Grifith?®. His data, indieste an approximate linear dependence of K present [in Eq. 12 on Dy/D,. We therefore propose that Ky = Ky + Ku(Di/Do) (21) We also propose to use the equivalent diameter of the annulus D,(= Dz — D,) in place of D in Eq. 19. Incorporating these proposals, Eq. 19 can be rewritten as Pee ee Et ete eee OF BF Aa) + Kee + Ke(Ds Dal (2) + old. — Dios = ones The proposed correlations for void fractions dur- ing bubbly and slug flow needs to be verified and the Parameters need to be determined from experimental work. Bubbly - Slug Flow Transition ‘Transition from bubbly flow to slug flow apparently ‘occurs at 8 void fraction of about 0.25°%*8, The validity of this transition criterion remains to be established for an annular geometry, however. Nonetheless, an analysis is prosontod hore using this transition criterion. In their work, Taitel et al. assumed that at the point of tran- sition, slip (vp ~ vy) between the phases is equal to the terminal rise velocity ao. Because of the existence of a velocity and concentration profile this assumption may be inappropriate. Instead, use of Eq. 17 or its equiv- alent can be made for a non-stagnant liquid column, a (23) est egy Mey Ft Bates Because Eq. 23 ia expected to apply to the entire dubbly flow regime; therefore, at the point of transition, ‘we can equate a = 0.25 and write eat 035 = Ta tay) Bove 1 y= peg lO Bb Any + 0.258,0, (24) ‘With appropriate values of the parameters A and B, Eq. 24 can be wed to predict u, below which bubblyPREDICTING LIQUID GRADIENT IN A PUMPING WELL ANNULUS SPE 13638 flow is expected. For » stagnant liquid column, Eq. 24 will be somewhat simplified. EXPERIMENTAL SET-UP AND PROCEDURE To gather void fraction data, an experimentel rig consisting of two concentric tubes resembling an oil well was set up. The equipment in schemetically shown Fig. 1. The transparent outer tube allows flow visualiza- tion and is made from three six-feet plexiglass sections ‘welded together. The inside diameter of the outer tube is five inches. Welding in done in such a way that the smoothness of the inner surface is retained, thus provi ing no disturbance to bubble flow. The inner tube is a single opaque polyvinylehloride pipe. Gas is fed into the annulus from four side inlets (1/4” LD.) at 90° phase that are located at the bottom of the column. Thi set-up approximates the way gas enters into a wellbore through perforations. ‘The gas void fraction is calculated from differential pressure data gathered with manometers between various points in the column (ace Fig. 1). The increase in fiuld ‘column height for a given gas flow rate, compared to ‘the stagnant liguid height, aleo yields gas void frac- tion data, This increased fluid column height, however, is difficult to read accurately because of frothing and fluctuations for any but the lowest gas flow rates. Thus this method of calculating void fraction from uid columa height is only used as a rough check on the data gathered by the differential manometers. Major variables investigated are the superficial velocity and annular crose-sectional area available for flow. Three inner tubes, with diameters 1.5, 2.785 and 3.5 inches, are used with one outer tube with 5.0 inches in diameter. Data are also gathered in absence of an inner tube. The superficial gas velocity is varied from ‘ero to 1.6 ft/sec. The liquid temperature in the column, ‘a8 well as its density, viscosity and surface tension were ‘measured and recorded, RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Preliminary data gathered with a short (8 fect) column indicated that void fraction depends somewhat ‘on the distance of the gos entrance point, Data gathered with the tall (18 feet) column using pairs of pressure taps at different heights indicated that entrance effect ‘becomes negligible at distances greater than eight feet from the gas entrance point. Hence void fraction data, ‘were gathered from pressure taps located 9 to 18 feet away from the gas entrance. These data were analysed to estimate the parameters in the proposed void frac- tion correlation for bubbly and slug flow. For the purpose of analysis both Eq. 17 for bubbly flow and Eq, 19 for slug flow ean be rearranged in the following manner St = Au, +B (25) Bg. 25 suggeste and ug; of cours linear relationship between u,/a with different slopes and intercepts for bubbly and slug flow patterns. Figs. 2 through § are the plots of ug/a: versus uy for the circular channel and channels with inner tubes of diameters 1.5, 2.875 and 8.5 inches, epectively, The data fall along two validating our correlations for ‘void fraction. Data at lower gas velocities falling on the ‘iret straight line are in the bubbly flow regime, while ‘thove at higher velocities falling on the second line are in the slug flow regime. The slopes and intercepts from these lines give the parameters A, B, AyandB, for the four different tubing and casing arrangements and are tabulated in Table 1. For bubbly flow, we proposed that the parameter A ‘Varies linearly with D,/D,, as expressed by Eq. 18. To examine the validity of Eq. 18, values of A are plotted against the dismeter ratio D,/D, in Fig. 8. A reason- ably good straight line is obtained: from the slopes and intercepts, parameters A, and A, are determined to be 1.97 and 0.371, respectively. Our value of As, representing circular channel, is in very good agree- ment with the value of 2.0 determinted by Mashelkar®, Haug’, Zahrdnik2** and Hughmark!*, However, A, in different from the value of 1.2 proposed by Zuber and Findlay"* and Godbey and Dimon’. Collier*® suggests ‘thot C, = 1.2 is true only for pipe diameters less than inch and that for larger pipes at low pressures, Cy = 16. The value of B does not appear to be dependent ‘upon tubing diameter. The average value of 0.703 ft./see. is slightly lower than the predicted vo value of 0.81 ‘h,/see. from the Harmathy™ correlation. If we use Zuber et al*7. and Taitel ot al”. suggestion of a smaller con- stant of 1.41 instead of 1.53 in Harmathy’s equation, Eq, 5, then vg is underestimated to a large degree. A number of researchers’ #43 have indicated that the bubble rise velocity in s finite medium is affected. by the channel diameter to » amall degree. Unfortunately, our data for single bubble rise velocity in all four differentSPE 13638 AVR. HASAN & C,S, KABIR a geometries show s large scatter, both because of the ratic nature of bubble motion and of the difficulty ~y recording the time required for the bubble to traverse «wo marked points on the column. The average values of the rise velocity however are in reasonable agreement with the Harmathy correlation and does not indicate any significant dependency on the equivalent diameter of the channel. ‘With the values of Ay, Ay and B determined from the experimental data, the proposed correlation for void fraction during bubbly flow becomes pa eee gee °= (7+ 0a71D,/Dyu, +070 = (8) Using the Harmathy correlation with a constant of 1.50 to represent the effect of liquid properties on va» and allowing for the liquid superficial velocity uy, Eq, 26 becomes ee eee (97 + OSTID,|DeNuy + 04) +1 eon P= (7) The parameter A, for our slug flow correlation is also plotted on Fig. 8. The graph shows a linear depen- dence of A, on the diameter ratio, Ds/Ds. The intercept ‘Ave of this line, has a value of 1.182 and represents the slug flow parameter for a circular channel, This value is in very good agreement with 1.2, the value experimen- tally determined by Nicklin et al®, The slope of the line Ast is 0.90 and shows a much stronger dependence of A, on annular diameter than was expected. The only other experimental value available on the parameter ia from Griffith? who found A, to increase slightly, but non-linearly with channel dimensions for equare chan- nels. For annuli and tube bundles, Griffith actually ob- served a very small decrease (slope rs 0.07) of A, with ‘D,/Dz. This parameter warrants further investigation, ‘The varition of the parameter K, is examined by plotting it against D,/D, in Fig. 6. This parameter needs to be estimated for predicting bubble rise velocity in the slug flow regime as given by Eq. 12. A linear correlation is found with an intercept of 0,30, which is in close agreement with the theoretical prediction of K /~+ 0.828 of Davis and Taylor®”, Our value of 0.30 it out 13% lower than the experimentally determined Value of K obtained by White and Beardmore”® for bubble rise velocity. The parameter K,1, determined from the slope of our line for K, versus D,/De, has value of 0.22, This indicates a stronger dependence of K, on Di/Dz than the data for bubble ri Grigith?* implies (Kx #2 0.07 for Grifit ‘We point out that Griffith suggests the use of D, in Eq, 12. Indeed, our data show an excellent corr. with Dy. We therefore suggest the use of equivalent diameter D., instead of the annular outer diameter, D,, for predicting void fraction in slug flow. Noting that the analysis and data of Davis and Taylor”, Dumitreseu®®, White and Beardmore*® and Griflith?® are all for sing! bubble rise velocity in slug flow instead of void fractio the agreement between our data and there analysis is quite reassuring. With the aforementioned values of our parametera, and allowing for a liquid superficial velocity uy, the correlation for void fraction in slug flow becomes = TSO ee * = (182+ 09D, /D.Nuy + 0) + [0.30 * +0.22(Di/De)I\/o(De — Dog = on)/er (28) Eqs. 27 and 28 are thus the proposed correlations for estimating void fraction in an annulus for bubbly and slug flow patterns, respectively. The transition between| ‘these two flow regimes appears to occur at a void frac- tion of 0.24 to 0.27, This conclusion is arrived at by noting the point of intersection for the straight lines for bubbly and slug flow on the u,/a versus ty graphs, Figs. 2 through 5. This approach for delineating flow patterns was used by Staub and Zuber**, We also visually observed the flow pattern to change from bubbly to slug flow at a void fractions of about 0.25. Based on our observation on flow through an annulus and the general agreement for flow through circular channel, ‘we propose that the bubbiy-slug flow transition oc- curs at a void fraction of about 0.25, Thus our proposed transition equation, Eq. 24, appears to be valid. With the appropriate expressions for the parameters A and B, Eq, 28 may be written as 1 1=0.25(1.97 + 0371D,/D,)) pee * + 0.371D,/D.)us + 0.875{g0(07 — ery8 PREDICTING LIQUID GRADIENT IN A PUMPING WELL ANNULUS For a stagnant air-water system at low pressures, Eq, 20 indicates 2 superficial gas velocity of 0.4 ft./aee., below which bubbly flow occurs, COMPARISON AND APPLICATION Correlations proposed in this work are compared with other published data on Fig. 7, Transition from bubbly to slug flow occuring at a = 0.25 corresponds toa superficial gas velocity of 0.42 ft/sec. We note that the Godbey-Dimon? criterion for transition of 2 ft/sec translates to a very high a of about .068 ft/sec, On the other hand, our data indicate that uy approaches infinity when a exceeds 0.55 - suggesting another change in flow regime. Because of difference in the transition criterion, we observe a diverging nature of the two curves as a increases. The difference in magnitude of the two curves is explained by the difference in the constants of the two correlations, ‘The proposed correlations parallel the Podio et al*. correlation until a reaches 0.4. Beyond a = 04, we observe » marked increase (not shown here) in u, with ‘2 small increment in a. We point out that Podio et al. data was originally fit by a &-degree polynomial and that apparently no change in the flow regime was considered. Thus there is a fundamental difference in experimental data intepretation between this work and that of Podio ot al?, One field example is re-examined here to study the behavior of bubbly and slug flow regimes as 2 function of both buildup shut-in time and location in the liquid ‘column. This example was first reported by Brownscombe*® ‘and was subsequently considered by Hasan and Kabir‘. Fig. 8 presents variation of both the height over which slug flow occurs and the superficial gas velocity with shut-in time. Slug flow dominates toward the top of the liquid column at the earliest part of the buildup test. For instance, after 5 minutes of shut-in, only the top 130 ft of the 5818 ft liquid column experiences the slug flow; the remainder of the liquid column is influenced by the bubbly flow. As the superficial gas ‘velocity at the gas/ liquid interface decresses with sbut- in time, the percentage of the liquid column affected by the slug flow diminishes. In this example, after about 1 hour of buildup the entire liquid column is influenced by a single flow regime - the bubbly flow. Thus the ‘existence of slug flow is dependent on both the shut- in time and the locatlon where a > 0.25 exists in a liquid column. With increased shut-in time, gas influx continues to decrease and eventually goes to zero. When SPE 13638, tu, =O is attained, say after 14.3 hours in this case, the gradient correction factor becomes a unity, because a =0. Bottomhole pressure predictions are compared in ‘Table 2, Tabulated data indicate that the pressures predicted by the proposed correlations lie between those ‘of Godbey-Dimon and of Podio et al. - as expected. Gilbert's! pressures are included in the table for the sake of completeness. Our previous paper‘, and this ‘work in particular, clearly indicate limitations associated with Gilbert’s empirical correlation. Significance of the new pressure and/or sandface rate prediction upon transient analysis is beyond the scope of this work. A separate paper is planned to explore that question. CONCLUSIONS ‘This study leads to the following conclusions based on theoretical analysis and experimental work. Experimental data for gas void fraction are gathered for an ait-water system. A S-inch casing of 18-f high without tubing, and with tubing having outside diameters of 1.6, 2.875 ‘and 3.5 inches are used for the study. 1. New correlations for estimating gas void fraction are proposed for an annular system, similar to ‘that of an oil well tubing-casing geometry. These correlations are valid for both bubbly and slug flow patterns - often encountered during pret- ‘ture buildup testing in a pumping oil well. 2. The parameters of the correlations are depen- dent on the tubing to casing diameter ratio (Ds/Dz) and the equivalent diameter of the channel. 3. Gas void fraction in a eireular channel is similar to that of an annular channel, especially for a amall diameter ratio, D,/De 4. Transition from bubbly to slug flow appears to ‘occur at a Yoid fraction of 0.26 for both the cir- cular and annular channels. Based on this transi- tion point, a correlation is proposed for predict- ing the superficial gas velocity at which the transi- tion from bubbly to slug flow occurs. This transi- tion velocity has a weak dependence upon the diameter ratio, Di/D, 5. ‘The proposed correlations can be readily integrated to give both the bottomhole pressure and sandface rate when fluid level measurements are avail able in a pumping well annulus. aSPE 13638 AiR. HASAN & C.S, KABIR 9 - NOMENCLATURE A, B. = parameters in Eq, 17, dimensionless Au At parameters in Eq. 18, dimensionless A parameter in Eq. 19, dimensionless Aso, Aut in Eq, 20, dimensionless B = parameter in Eq. 19, ft/sec Co parameter in Eq, 9, dimensionless a = terminal rise velocity = 153 (09/04), t/sce. D = flow channel diameter, ft De casing inside diameter, ft De tubing outside diameter, ft Dd equivalent diameter, D, — Ds, ft dy bubble diameter, ft Frye = gradient correction factor, 1+ a, dimensionless ‘ acceleration due to gravity, ft/sec? ys = dritt ux, ft/sec K parameter in Eq. 12, dimensionless Ky parameter in Eq. 19, dimensionless Kyo,Kar = parameters in Eq. 21, dimensionless a = exponent in Eq. 3, dimensionless te = gas injector orifice radius, ft ny = bubble radius = ,/2, tt u = total fluid velocity, ft/sec ty = superficial gas velocity (gas flow-rate ; divided by total flow cross-sectional area), ft/sec wy = bubble rise velocity in finite (enclosed) medium, ft/sec. % = actual gas velocity = uy/a, th/sec. Yen = terminal rise velocity for a single bubble in infinte medium, ft/sec. a ‘= gas void fraction, fraction of the total ‘olume occupied by gas, dimensionless o = liquid density, Ibm/tt* te = gas density, Ibm/tt? By = liquid viscosity, Ibm/tt.see ° = surface tension, dynes/om Subscripts f = fiuid = ge w = water REFERENCES 1 Gipson, S.W. and Swaim, H.W..: “Designed beam Pumping’, Proc. 19th Annual Southwestern Petroleum Short Course, Lubbock, Texas (April 1972) 95. 3. 4. 10. Te 12, 13, ua 16. 16. Godbey, JK. and Dimon, C.A.: “The Automatic | Liquid Level Monitor for Pumping Wells”, J. Pet. Tech. (1977) 70-83. Podio, A.L., Tarrilion, M. J. and Roberts, B.T.: “Laboratory Work Improves Calculations", Oil and Gas J. (Aug, 1980) 137-148, Hasan, A.R. and Kabir, C.8.: “Determining Bottomhole Pressures in Pumping Wells From Acoustic Data,” paper SPE 11580 Presented at ‘the 1983 Production Operations Symposium, Oklahoma City, OK., Reb 27-Mar 1, 1983. ‘Wallis, G.B.: One Dimensional Two-Phase Flow, McGraw Hill Book Co. New York City (1989) 93, 248, 255. Peebles, F.N. and Garber, H.J.: “Studies in the Motion of Gas Bubbles in Liquide”, Chem. Eng. Prog. (1953) 49, 88-07. 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(Feb. 1982) 307-412.‘TABLE 1 - SUMMARY OF EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS Inner Tube Di[De A B Ay B, Ky, =B,/VaD, ft.fece. _dimensionloss Dy inch dimensionless dimensionless {t./sec, _dimensionler 0 00 1.96 075 ay 1.08 0.295 15 0.30 213 0.80 146 110 0.350 i 2.785 0.857 215 0.82 1.68 1.04 0.428 3.50 0.700 2.22 0.80 181 0901 0.449 cee peVien aot Exomend ui Ht ne aut SEReEESTSST SE Flg.t = Schematic of experime old tractor eee { 7 i am “up for measuring yar ese uy/a . Free - sieg ree oo 0) 02 03 ON oS 06 0? Of O8 SUPERFICAL GAs vELociTY, u, Fr/sKe Fig. 2- Rat f supertical 9 velocity to vold traction as a ity ~ elrewlar chen tty to + 3m 0 SUPERFIEAL GAS VeOEITY,g -FT/stC Fla. 3 Ratio of superticn 1 function oftujany ae von © oe worse pros 938s #0 ‘sutD0724 sv Wwalsuzans 7 pasvas "a “a1190794 evo Wolauaane co 90 se eco rete. pasado pasta! othrunanrent Ay a a nut, "la 7 = Comparteon of various arectnt Oy Ar ansvon, Fi. = Bias tow regime ae 3m of time and apace ~ Feld Example