Multiphase flow simulation in offshore pipelines: An accurate and fast algorithm applied to real-field data

This work proposes an iterative algorithm to fit a multiphase flow model to measured data from offshore fields to be used in real-time applications. Due to the best compromise between accuracy and computa-tional speed, the Drift-Flux Model was used in the proposed procedure to describe the multiphase flow behavior inside a real offshore production pipeline. The predicted temperature and pressure drops were compared to real-time data to verify the efficiency of the proposed algorithm. The relative errors in the outlet temperature and the inlet pressure between the predicted and real-time data were less than 2.5%. Firstly, Two-Fluid and Drift-Flux model validation and comparison with two well-known software pro-grams were carried out using experimental data. Secondly, a hypothetical production pipeline was used to verify the computational cost and the main fluid flow properties. For comparison, the same fluid, pipe-line dimensions, and material properties were also implemented into well-known software.(c) 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.