WFA - Well Flow Analyser

The Well Flow Analyser is invented by Sensorteknikk.  The principle could be describes as a principle extracting information in acoustic signals from a multiphase fluid that passes through a choke valve or a turbulence creating means.  The principle is based on the fact that a fraction of the kinetic energy of the through flowing fluid is transformed into acoustic energy, which contains a wide acoustic spectrum.  This spectrum is a function of several parameters that characterise the composition of the flow.  The acoustic signals are picked up by an acoustic sensor clamped on the outside of a choke valve or another suitable flow conditioning means.

 By processing the acoustic signals and then use multivariate data analysis, models are built based on existing data and could be used for future prediction of incoming data.  The compositions and amount of oil, gas, water and particle content in the flow are then obtainable for the user.

 The sensor installation is very simple and does not require modification of flow lines or valves.  Test installations made by Sensorteknikk at various test rigs and facilities, i.e. Trecate Italy, Ceesi Colorado and Kårstø Norway, successfully verify that the WFA probably is one of the most accurate way to perform a multiphase flow metering.

Figure - On top the signal processing of the Well Flow Analyzer. Spectral presentation for phase composition (left) and variation in flow rate.

Figure - The Well Flow Analyser (WFA) system. The three screen graphs are the levels of each media (oil, gas and water) from the well.