App Note - Oil Production

PT878 Clamp-On Ultrasonic Meters optimizes water
injection process efficiency and operation cost
Panametrics TransPort® PT878 liquid portable clamp-on ultrasonic flow meter performs water
injection flow measurements to optimize process efficiency and operation costs as part as theEOR (Enhanced Oil Recovery) project for major oil producer in Algeria.
ProblemSolution

A major oil producer in Algeria had challenges with optimizing
the efficiency and operation cost of their water injection
process due to unreliable and inaccurate measurement ofthe existing turbine meters. That was due to:Panametrics Digital Solutions field service engineer in Algeria,
Allaoua Felfoul, proposed to use Panametrics portable PT878
ultrasonic flow meter to diagnose the problems and identify
the turbine meters with performance weaknesses.

• Poor performance in dirty streams or with corrosive
materials (salt content)

The Panametrics meters were also used to isolate the process
issues and to accurately and reliably measure the injection rates.

• Subject to fouling by foreign materials -fibers, tars etc

Portable PT878 ultrasonic flow meter used do a survey onvarious water injection high pressure lines from 6” to 20” throughproduced water processing from separation to injection.

• Bearings subject to wear or damage• Shift in calibration when bearings replaced• Can be damaged by over speeding (over 150 percent)or by hydraulic shock• Pressure loss
Consequently the total injected water quantity was
not measured accurately leading to production loss.
Several unplanned outages were required to maintainthe turbine meters.

TransPort® PT878 portableclamp-on ultrasonic flow
meter on Onshore Well

Benefits• Low-cost to retro-fit on existing facility• No shutdown required for installation• No drift expected on measured value over time
• No intrusive parts to foul nor apertures/ports to block• Zero pressure drop created• Diagnostics indicate condition of meter and process• Can be used for pump protection e.g. re-injection skid

Results
PT878 measures proved successful for all measuring points,
the survey helped the operation to define the current injection
rates, the turbine meters which were out of spec and needed
to be maintained and recalibrated. The capability of thePT878 to measure at low flow helped to detect leaky valves
and troubleshoot other costly problems on other equipment
at an early stage.
A calculation was done to determine the actual savings incapital cost-out of using permanent ultrasonic flow meters
versus maintaining faulty turbine meters. The result showed
a 30% savings in capital cost-out. The capital cost calculated
was based on the following equation:(Well shutdown cost + new meters or spare parts cost + Laborcost) x Number of Days Shutdown.

PT878 in use on 12-inch Produced Water line, withinsertion-turbine 3D downstream

Another calculation was done to determine the actual saving
in operational cost of Ultrasonic Versus Turbine indicate 80%
to 90% saving in operation cost versus turbine. The operation
cost calculated based on the following equation:(Well shutdown cost + spare parts cost + Labor cost) x
Number of Days.
The customer decided to purchase Panametrics PT878
meters with all necessary accessories and plans to replaceturbine meters with permanent clamp on Ultrasonic meters(XMT868I) gradually using the saving calculations mentioned
above to get the budget approved.

Panametrics, a Baker Hughes business, provides solutions in the toughest
applications and environments for moisture, oxygen, liquid and gas flow
measurement.
Experts in flare management, Panametrics technology also reduces flareemissions and optimizes performance.
With a reach that extends across the globe, Panametrics’ criticalmeasurement solutions and flare emissions management are enablingcustomers to drive efficiency and achieve carbon reduction targets acrosscritical industries including: Oil & Gas; Energy; Healthcare; Water andWastewater; Chemical Processing; Food & Beverage and many others.
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BHCS39246		

(04/2023)

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