Bill White, Halliburton Services
Flowmeters available to the petroleum industry fit into a wide range of operating principles and are diverse in the physical phenomena employed. Flow measurement may be made from (1) velocity, (2) mass transfer rate, (3) volumetric transfer, or (4) interference. Our industry pumps fluids that range from (1) clean, homogenous newtonian to (2) heterogenous non-newtonian slurries. Application of flowmeter type to fluid type requires more than casual attention. This paper presents a summary of flowmeter types currently available and gives advantages and disadvantages of each. Included in this technology survey are (1) flowmeter types, (2) operating principle, (3) range of accuracy, and (4) proper application of each. The conclusion is reached that flowmeter choice is not as straightforward as users may have been led to believe, however, an informed user can select a meter that will give the best available service.