Research Area - Effect of Oil Viscosity on Multiphase Flow Behavior


Oils with viscosities as high as 10,000 cp are produced from many fields around the world. Current multiphase flow models are largely based on experimental data with low viscosity fluids.  The viscosity gap between lab and field data may be three orders of magnitude or more.  Therefore, current mechanistic models need to be verified with higher liquid viscosity experimental results.

Earlier TUFFP studies showed that the performance of existing models is not sufficiently accurate for high viscosity oils. These studies found that increasing oil viscosity had a significant effect on flow behavior. Mostly intermittent flow (slug and elongated bubble) was observed.

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