Publications

Multiphasic flow measurements in wellbores deviated 5 to 75 degrees from vertical are frequently complicated by chaotic flow patterns that are often the root cause of complex production log interpretations. This turbulence phenomenon is particularly aggravated when compressible gas is commingled with viscous and dense water and oil where the heavier liquids succumb to a gravitational component in a direction defying normal, expected axial flow. Accurate biphasic flow profiling in producing wells inclined 0 to 5 degrees from vertical is typically considered a fairly simple process utilizing basic production logging technology in tandem with industry standardized slip modeling. In this flowing scenario, the spatial phase distribution across the completion diameter is considered relatively uniform. Flow behavior in completions greater than 75 degrees deviation is dominated by gravity-segregated triphasic production and is sufficientlyunproblematic to analyze given suitable local holdup and flowmeter sensors. Comprehensive hydrodynamic behavior knowledge predominantly benefits the production log analyst who might be perplexed by atypical Production Log (PL) sensor measurements effected by turbulence, as well as to the gas well operator who is pursuing maximum understanding of liquid loading efficiencies for optimum gas exploitation. The objective of this publication is to methodically expose the phenomenon of heavier liquid hesitation, fallback and cyclical recirculation by presenting the fundamental concepts and supporting claims of 33 empirical observations from West Africa and Southeast Asia production logs. This research provides a rationalization of the primary features of turbulent and chaotic gas-liquid flow and how to ascertain non-axial flow utilizing available downhole production logging sensors.