Patent ID: 9500073
Filing Date: 2016-11-22
CPC Classification: E21B

Claim Text:
1. A method for metering fluid in a subterranean well comprising: (a) deploying an electric submersible pump in the subterranean well to define an annulus, the electric submersible pump comprising a motor, a seal section and a pump assembly; (b) flowing fluid through the annulus and to the pump assembly to create a flow of fluid; (c) measuring pressure at axially spaced apart locations in the flow of fluid along a first axial space where pressure losses in the flow of fluid include gravitational and frictional losses; (d) measuring pressure at axially spaced apart locations in the flow of fluid along a second axial space, that is axially disposed from the first axial space, and where pressure losses in the flow of fluid comprise gravitational losses and frictional losses, wherein the gravitational losses exceed the frictional losses; (e) estimating the pressure differential between the axially space apart locations along the second axial space with the equation PG=(g)(ρ m )/((g c )(144)); and (f) communicating pressure loss data along a power cable that is in electronic communication with the motor and with a metering assembly that measures pressure.