Abstract
During the past twenty years multiphase flow technology has become increasingly important for the economic transportation of well streams from reservoir to process. In particular, production offshore, where the trend is to develop numerous small fields by transporting untreated fluids Via existing infrastructures, imposes high demands on the multiphase science and technology required to ensure economic and safe operation. This paper addresses the state of the art in the development of multiphase production systems and highlights future trends. It subsequently scrutinizes the reliability of models and techniques currently available and identifies issues in the area of multiphase flow technology that need to be addressed. Typical aspects that will be covered are steady and transient two-phase pipe flow modelling, the effect of water on oil/gas flow, multiphase metering and multiphase boosting, and the use of trunkline management systems in multiplatform production schemes.
