Prod. Handling

This study investigates the short-term pressure integrity and cyclic fatigue performance of transparent Cellulose Acetate Butyrate (CAB) piping designed for multiphase (gas–liquid) flow visualization under moderate pressure conditions. The experimental setup included a horizontal 3-inch CAB pipe segment coupled with a steel upstream section via pressure-rated Victaulic mechanical fittings. The system was hydrostatically tested and subjected to cyclic pressure loading between 50 and 400 psi for eight hours, simulating the conditions of a gas-lift production line operating at 500–600 psi.

Multiphase flow meters (MPFMs) are transforming well surveillance by enabling continuous, real-time measurement of oil, water, and gas flow without the need for large test separators. This work reviews the physics and field performance of dominant MPFM's, particularly the Venturi differential-pressure and dual-energy gamma densitometry combination, and compares their validated operating envelopes, accuracy, and limitations against conventional test separators.

This study investigates the feasibility of repurposing produced water as an electrochemically active medium for energy recovery, reframing it as a resource rather than a waste product. An electrochemical “mud battery” system was developed using a semi-solid mixture of produced water and clay-rich soil. The clay matrix provides structural stability while maintaining ionic conductivity, enabling sustained electrochemical interactions. Anode and cathode electrodes were embedded directly into the produced-water mud to maximize electrode–electrolyte contact and minimize system complexity.

For decades, VRUs have been deployed as compliance equipment and treated as commodity hardware – sized on rough estimates, lightly engineered, and minimally monitored. The results have been predictable: inconsistent runtime, chronic loading instability, ever-increasing maintenance costs, and a long-standing belief that VRUs simply “don’t work.” This paper examines why that legacy persists and outlines a modern engineering and measurement framework that significantly changes VRU performance, economics, and reliability.

Leveraging advancements in material science, a comprehensive pilot study of the effectiveness of vibrational-energy tools to inhibit asphaltene and paraffin was conducted involving over 40 wells throughout the Permian Basin, encompassing both conventional and unconventional reservoirs. This technical paper provides an in-depth analysis of the tool, which operates on the interaction of specially formulated solid materials that passively emit vibrational energy at targeted frequencies.

Electrical Resistance (ER) probes offer a continuous, high-resolution method for measuring corrosion rates in oilfield systems. This study demonstrates how ER data can be used to establish baseline corrosion, evaluate corrosion inhibitor performance, and guide product selection under varying produced-water and multiphase conditions.

Objectives/Scope:

Production operations have traditionally relied on routine well checks and daily to weekly trips to verify well performance and status. While this ensures coverage, it consumes significant field time, fuel, and labor on wells that are already performing as expected.

In “Oilfield Operational Challenges Managed with Chemical Solutions” Fadi, a ConocoPhillips employee, will describe real world high-impact challenges associated with oilfield production that he has experienced in unconventional completions, such as early life scale/solids/sand erosion, corrosion and organic deposits. Becky will explore the various chemical solutions pros and cons that are available to address these challenges.

This one-day pre-conference school will examine representative laboratory data associated with the selection, monitoring, and optimization of corrosion treating chemicals. We will examine lab data and key performance indicators (KPIs) pertaining to tracking the effectiveness of corrosion inhibitors. We will be discussing produced water analyses, suspended solids analyses, deposit analyses, corrosion coupons, amine residuals and iron/manganese levels.