FlowSys TopFlow Multiphase FlowmeterAccurate, Continuous Multiphase Measurement

2” and 6” FlowSys TopFlow Multiphase Flowmeters

OverviewFMC Measurement Solutions’

FlowSys TopFlow1 meter is a secondgeneration multiphase meter combiningconventional and proven measurementtechnologies into one compact flow tube.The sensor is a robust, extended-throatVenturi with capacitance and conductanceelectrodes mounted inside the Venturithroat. A differential pressure transmitter isused to measure the density of individualcomponents of the flow from the wellstream. This novel approach to fluid densitymeasurement eliminates the need for aradioactive source commonly used withflowmeters of this type.

The FlowSys TopFlow meter covers a widemeasurement range including all water cuts,salinities, viscosities and flow regimeswithout the need for upstream or down-stream flow conditioning, separation devices,mixers or by-pass lines.

1 FMC Measurement Solutions is under contract with FlowSys AS, Bergen Norway for the manufacture and distribution of the FlowSys TopFlow Multiphase Flowmeter

FeaturesUnique features of the FlowSys TopFlowinclude the following:

Non-radioactive – the flowmeter is freeof a radioactive source ensuring a safe andless complicated operating environment.

Compact design – the slim, short andlightweight design of the meter allows forease of installation and a significant reduc-tion in offshore platform space and weight.

High performance – with minimal pres-sure drop and the ability to measure flowrate independent of changes to the flow re-gime, the FlowSys TopFlow meter providesreliable and accurate measurement equal toor better than the data obtained from a testseparator.

Flexibility – the meter can be operated asa stand-alone flowmeter or interfaced tocustomer data acquisition systems.

Remote monitoring – the meter can beaccessed over a telephone line to monitorwell performance and allow for onlinetroubleshooting in the event of alarm condi-tions associated with the meter’s operation.

Low maintenance – the meter and allassociated components of the system re-quire minimal to no maintenance, signifi-cantly reducing operating costs.

Competitive pricing – the eliminationof many individual components associatedwith conventional multiphase systemsresults in a metering solution that can becost-effective for monitoring each well orplaced into a flow manifold to measure agroup of wells.

Benefits• No upstream or downstream installation

requirements.

• No radioactive source eliminates wipetesting and import/export restrictions.

• Online data acquisition for meter outputand troubleshooting of operatingparameters.

• Slim profile allows easy installation incompact offshore platform space.

• Vertical mounting position preventsfluid stratification and minimizes abrasioncaused by sand and grit in the flow.

FMC Energy SystemsFMC Kongsberg SubseaFMC Surface WellheadFMC SOFEC Floating SystemsMODEC International LLCFMC Fluid ControlFMC Loading SystemsFMC Measurement SolutionsFMC Blending and Transfer

FMC Energy Systems is a market leaderin the design, manufacture and supply ofpetroleum exploration, production, measure-ment and transportation equipment.Through our focus on development anddelivery of cost-effective turnkey systems,we are meeting customer needs for inte-grated solutions around the globe.

In conjunction with FMC Surface Wellhead,a provider of surface wellhead and comple-tion equipment for standard and critical-service applications worldwide, FMCMeasurement Solutions offers the FlowSysTopFlow Multiphase Flowmeter - anadvanced technology designed to measurethe flowing medium from the well.

Field Electronics

Extended ThroatVenturi

High Pressure FeedThrough Connectors

316 SteelElectrode Plates

PEEK Insulating Material

Flowmeter ComponentsThe FlowSys TopFlow is comprised ofthe following components:• Flow sensor/meter

• Field electronics

• Differential and guage pressuretransmitters

• Temperature transmitter

• Computer interface enclosure

• Industrial PC with user interface andsoftware

• Safety barriers

• Power supply

Operating PrincipleThe operation of the FlowSys TopFlowmeter is based on well-established measure-ment principles including Venturi, capaci-tance, conductance and cross-correlation todetermine flow velocity. The criticalcomponents of the meter are its extendedthroat Venturi housing and an insertcomprised of PEEK and stainless steelelectrodes for measuring capacitance andconductivity of the flow regime. Flow ratesof oil, water and gas are calculated based onmeasurements obtained by these electrodes.With no radioactive densitometer to directlymeasure the fluid mixture’s density, density isdetermined indirectly using the well-known,momentum based “Venturi equation”.

The absence of a radioactive source in theFlowSys TopFlow meter has severaladvantages, especially with respect toaddressing increasingly stringent health,safety and environmental restrictions. Theseinclude allowing the application of the meterin regions of the world that prohibit the useof radioactive sources, and avoidingincreased operating costs for oil companiesby reducing shipping costs associated withregulations for shipping radioactive materialsand eliminating the need for wipe tests tocheck for radioactive leakages.

ApplicationsThe FlowSys TopFlow meter providesreal time flow rate information from a wellstream or pipeline. Installing a meter on eachwell monitors production and provides earlywarning of any problems associated with gaslifting, water or gas breakthrough, or onsetof severe slugging conditions.

Additionally, the FlowSys TopFlowmultiphase meter requires less maintenanceand reduces test separator maintenance costsby eliminating or reducing the operating

costs and hazards associated with chemicalsused to separate oil from water. The meter’sability to measure fluid density in theabsence of radioactive sources has advan-tages with respect to health, safety andenvironmental conditions.

These features effectively streamlinemeasurement at the wellhead, in themanifold, in the turret, and at any locationwhere multiphase needs to be measured.

Figure 1 – Example of a metering output over a 20 minute interval

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Time Hour/Minutes

Oil Flow Rate Actual m3/hr Water Flow Rate Actual m3/hr Gas Flow Rate Actual m3/hr

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Figure 2 – Operating range for the FlowSys TopFlow Multiphase Flowmeter

Measurement UncertaintyThe uncertainty specification for theFlowSys TopFlow meter is shown below at a90% confidence level for expected deviationfrom the true values. Since the uncertainty isdependent on the actual gas volume fraction(GVF), the specification has been split into

GVF Range (%) 0-25% 25-60% 60-70% 70-85% 85-92% 92-97% 97-100%

Liquid Flow Rate 5% 7% 10% 15% –

Gas Flow Rate – 10%

Water Cut 2% 3% 5% –

several GVF intervals. The liquid and gasflow rate uncertainties are expressed asrelative uncertainty, i.e., as a percentage ofreading, while the water cut is an absoluteuncertainty. These uncertainties are valid onwater cuts in the range of 0-100%

Operating RangeTo illustrate the operating envelope(Figure 2), flow rate divided by the pipecross section area (also known as thesuperficial velocity) is used on the axes tomake the diagram independent of pipingand meter dimensions. This velocity can alsobe described as the velocity of one phase,based on its flow rate, if the other phaseswere not present.

The operating envelope is limited for severalreasons. The maximum range of thedifferential pressure transmitter limits themaximum liquid flow rate. The maximumgas flow rate is limited by a maximum gasvelocity of 25 m/s (82 ft/sec).

The minimum liquid flow rate is mainlydetermined by a minimum velocity require-ment of 0.6m/s (1.9ft/sec). A minimumliquid flow rate is needed to create acontinuous flow through the meter. Thismeans that a certain momentum is requiredto prevent back flow through the mainmetering section, where the velocity ismeasured by cross-correlation. Also thelower limit of the differential pressure cell,as well as the maximum GVF of 97%,contribute to the determination of theminimum liquid flow rate through theFlowSys TopFlow meter.

Complete and efficient solutions forwellhead applications are possible with the

combined product and service expertiseof FMC Surface Wellhead andFMC Measurement SolutionsInstallation and Calibration

Installation

The flowmeter is designed for installation vertically into the pipeline with the appropri-ate flange connections to meet piping specifications. There are no requirements forupstream pipe geometry or for minimum length of straight pipe upstream or down-stream of the meter.

Calibration

The FlowSys TopFlow multiphase flowmeter is calibrated at the factory, in a static state,with different fluids for both the capacitance and conductance detectors.

OPERATINGOPERATINGENVELOPEENVELOPE

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/s)

Gas (m/s)0 5 10 15 20 25 30

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Worldwide Manufacturing and Sales

©Copyright 2003, FMC Measurement Solutions. All Rights Reserved.

Printed in U.S.A. SBMP001 Issue/Rev. 0.0 (5/03)

For online technical publications visit our website at: www.fmcmeasurementsolutions.com

Manufacturing Facilities

Corpus Christi, Texas737 North Padre Island DriveP.O. Box 4658Corpus Christi, TX 78469Phone: 361/289-3400Fax: 361/289-1115

Ellerbek, GermanyRegentstrasse 1, 25474 EllerbekP.O. Box 116425470 Ellerbek, GermanyPhone: (49) 4101-3040Fax: (49) 4101-304133

Erie, Pennsylvania1602 Wagner AvenueP.O. Box 10428Erie, PA 16514-0428Phone: 814/898-5000Fax: 814/899-8927

Kongsberg, Norway*Box 1012N-3601 KongsbergNorwayPhone: (47) 32/286-700Fax: (47) 32/289-590

Thetford, United Kingdom*6,Baird WayThetford Norfolk IP24 1JAEnglandPhone (44) 1842-82-2900Fax (44) 1842-76-5402

Sales Offices

Barcelona, SpainVia Augusta, 125, Desp. 1-7aE-08006 Barcelona, SpainPhone: (34) 93/201-0989Fax: (34) 93/201-0576

Beijing, Peoples Republic of China604 CITIC Building19, Jianguo Men Wai DaJieBeijing 100004Peoples Republic of ChinaPhone: (86) 10/6500-2251Fax: (86) 10/6512-6857

Buenos Aires, Argentina*Alicia Moreau de Justo 18482do Piso, Oficina 8, Dock 141107 Buenos Aires, ArgentinaPhone 54 (11) 4312-4736Fax 54 (11) 4312-4736

Chennai, India(Joint Venture)FMC Sanmar Limited147, Karapakkam VillageChennai - 600 096, IndiaPhone: (91) 44/496-0455Fax: (91) 44/496-0114

Houston, Texas*1803 Gears RoadHouston, TX 77067Phone: 281/260-2190Fax: 281/260-2191

Los Angeles, California28317 West Industry DriveValencia, CA 91355Phone: 661/702-8660Fax: 661/295-9075

Melbourne, Australia12 McLaren StreetP.O. Box 181Mt. Waverley, Victoria 3149AustraliaPhone: (61) 3/9807-2818Fax: (61) 3/9807-2816

Moscow, Russia3rd Samotechny pereulok 11, 6th Floor103473 Moscow, RussiaPhone: (7) 095/564-8705Fax: (7) 095/926-5066

San Juan, Puerto Rico268 Ponce de Leon AvenueHome Mortgage Plaza, Suite 703Hato Rey, Puerto Rico 00918Phone: 787/274-3760Fax: 787/274-1020

Singapore149 Gul CircleSingapore 629605Phone: 65/6861-3011Fax: 65/6862-2334

Slough, United KingdomAmbassador House181 Farnham RoadSlough SL1 4XPBerkshire, EnglandPhone: (44) 1/753-571515Fax: (44) 1/753-529966

1803 Gears RoadHouston, Texas 77067 USAPhone: 281/260-2190Fax: 281/260-2191

Headquarters

The specifications contained herein are subject to change without notice and any user of said specifications should verify from the manufacturer that the specifications are currently ineffect. Otherwise, the manufacturer assumes no responsibility for the use of specifications which may have been changed and no longer in effect.

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* Contact any of these locationsfor more information