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T H E M A G A Z I N E F O R T H E U K O F F S H O R E O I L A N D G A S I N D U S T R Y
He explains: “Flow meters are the
industry’s cash registers and they
need to be accurate. Without them, it
is impossible to ensure standardised
volumes or mass quantities for trade or
sale. This would impact the financial
operations of a company through
inconsistent cash flows for produced
fluids. Additionally, without flow
measurement it would be impossible to
optimise operations.
Muir points out that enhancing UK
capability in this area is of “particular
skills development, research
and testing facilities,
a community of
expertise, and
a focus on
leadership.
Going
forward,
NEL wants
to facilitate
greater
collaboration
within the flow
measurement
community.”
In late 2014, NEL,
along with Coventry
University, founded the Flow
Measurement Institute. With now
over 20 members among operators,
manufacturers, academia, the regulator
and service companies, it responds
to Sir Ian Wood’s report by driving
a collaborative approach to meet the
importance in the current economic
climate and with increasing subsea
processing and deeper field extraction
at higher pressures and temperatures”.
He says: “There is a need now and in
the future for flow meter calibration at
elevated pressures and temperatures.
These are the parameters with the
greatest impact on meter performance.
A potential impact running into many
millions of pounds per annum for a
single well is common.”
NEL’s new high pressure/high
operating temperature liquid flow test
loop increases the company’s pressure
testing capability from below 10 bar(g)
to 100 bar(g), with an ability to deal
with temperatures doubling from
40 degrees Celsius maximum capability
to 80 degrees Celsius.
The new facility will also carry out
R&D into flow and fluid measurement.
Muir adds: “Developments and
investment will be industry-led for
maximum impact. As part of the
Flow Measurement Institute, we will
help lead the creation of a tangible
centre of excellence that includes
“
The centre not
only represents ongoing
investment in the
subsea sector but our
commitment to ensuring
that we are at the
forefront of technological
advancement.
”
Knowledge and data from testing
operations at GE Oil & Gas’ Newcastle
Innovation Centre is used to develop
and validate new and existing models,
predicting the performance of flexible
pipes in service