Commissioning of 6 esmer MPFMs Completed at the Thar Jath Field Block 5A Sudd Petroleum Operating Company
2 January 2025
Installation of the esmerMPFMs at the Thar Jath Field began in September 2023 and continued with some pauses since then.
Field calibration and verification work was carried out by SPOC staff and local contractors with remote assistance from Petroleum Software support desk in the UK.
The project cycle from start to completion took twelve months.
During this time a number of operational issues were encountered, some related to the adverse weather conditions (impeding operator access) and some due to poor connectivity (impeding direct internet connection to the MPFMs); all understandable due to the location of the field.
As for the MPFMs, no breakdowns were encountered despite the challenging logistics and climate conditions.
Field tune-up (calibration and verification) faced some challenges due to unstable production in some wells.
All issues were duly resolved and the MPFMs were handed over to SPOC for routine use in November.
SPOC has four more esmer MPFMs at their warehouse awaiting installation.
These units will be used in the Mala field when that field becomes operational.
See links below for further information about Thar Jath and SPOC
PSL has today announced the launch of its new MPFM: esmerGSE™.
esmerGSE™ comprises a venturi, by-pass and an optional sampling system.
Physical properties (including GVF) are estimated by PVT modelling and tune up methodology developed by PSL.
For transmitters, esmerGSE comprises a standard multivariable transmitter and esmerMux™ (proprietary impedance) on sampling by-pass.
For fitting, esmerGSE™ can be dropped into the process line horizontally (light and compact).
For wiring, a single RS485 digital cable is required between the field unit(s) and the PC in the control room (many-to-one).
Calibration, processing and I/O tasks are carried out locally on the PC by esmerDigital ™ software.
I/O tasks (including network connection for output) are implemented on the RS485- Ethernet- Modbus platform.
The combination of esmerGSE™ and esmerDigital™ reduces field electro-mechanics to a minimum.
With esmerDual and esmerDigital, a multiphase flow meter per well (multiple wells) connected to the company network is in the realm of reality.
esmerDual MPFMs at SPOC's South Sudan Thar Jath and Mala Fields Getting Installed and Commissioned As We Speak
7 SEPTEMBER 2023
Watch this space for further news from the field
esmerDual MPFMs at SPOC's South Sudan Thar Jath and Mala Fields
7 SEPTEMBER 2022
We have an order to deliver 10 off esmerDual MPFMs to be used as fixed installations at the OGMs at Thar Jath and Mala Fields operated by Sud Petroleum Operating Co. (SPOC).
esmerDual ™ and esmerDigital ™
1 AUGUST 2021
PSL has today announced the launch of its new MPFM and digital platform. esmerDual ™ comprises a cone that also acts as an impedance electrode. Physical properties (including GVF) are estimated by PVT modelling and tune up methodology developed by PSL. esmerDual is suitable for all fluid types and flow regimes (full watercut and GVF cover). For transmitters, esmerDual comprises a standard multivariable transmitter and a proprietary impedance circuit. For fitting, esmerDual can be dropped into the process line horizontally (light and compact). For wiring, a single RS485 digital cable is required between the field unit(s) and the PC in the control room (many-to-one). Calibration, processing and I/O tasks are carried out locally on the PC by esmerDigital ™ software. I/O tasks (including network connection for output) are implemented on the RS485- Ethernet- Modbus platform. The combination of esmerDual and esmerDigital reduces field electro-mechanics to a minimum. With esmerDual and esmerDigital, a multiphase flow meter per well (multiple wells) connected to the company network is in the realm of reality.
esmerGL IN ACTION AT THE WELLHEAD
OMAN MAY 2020
KUWAIT 4th FLOW MEASUREMENT TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE
3-5 DECEMBER 2019
We gave two presentations at this annual conference - exhibition:
PVT - EOS Modelling in Multiphase Flow Metering: This was about diminishing returns of
gamma ray densitometry and how EOS modelling can provide equivalent functionality for less
money
and greater reliability.
Project Experience in Large Scale Implementation of MPFMs in an Entire Oil Field: This
was
yet another lecture by PSL about “dos and donts” of MPFMs, lessons learned from field
experience.
Finally, the big moment has arrived and passed ! Too quickly in our opinion. Many thanks to
everyone visiting our stand - and there were indeed more of you than expected. It was a
great
pleasure meeting you all and showing you live on our stand world’s best and one-and-only
gas-liquid metering system esmerGL and the remote control/display web application
esmerWebApp. Look forward to meeting you all again in the near future.
MultiFlowMet II MULTIPHASE FLOW REFERENCE METROLOGY
AUGUST 2017
Petroleum Software Ltd is taking part in the MultiFlowMet II JIP which is coordinated by TUV NEL and supported by The European Metrology Programme for
Innovation
and Research – EMPIR. A number of leading MPFM suppliers and multiphase flow
laboratories are taking part in the new JIP which is a follow up to the preceding EMRP
project
ENG58 at which a small reference network (of three laboratories) was established based on a
single multiphase metering technology. MultiFlowMet
II will expand the reference network itself and incorporate a wider range of
industrially-relevant flow conditions that are proven across a more representative range of
field- deployed MPFM technologies.
NORTH SEA FLOW MEASUREMENT WORKSHOP
OCTOBER 2016
PSL presented a paper entitled In-Situ
Validation of ESMER MPFMs at the NSFMW at St Andrews on 26th October. NSFMW is
celebrating its 34th year. Full conference proceedings can be reached here
OIL AND GAS EXHIBITION IN TEHRAN
5-8 MAY 2016
PSL has presented its latest multiphase flow meter model esmer D2+
at
the Iran Oil Show (21st international Oil and Gas
Show 5-8 May 2016). The show, held at an exhibition park at the center Tehran, was
better attended this year. The lifting of the sanctions has given an uplift to the
exhibition.
We have noticed a larger number of international exhibitors this year. Discussions with NIOC
engineers who have visited our stand have confirmed that projects which had stalled in
recent
years will be revived during 2016.
PETROLEUM SOFTWARE LTD HAS GAINED BS EN ISO 9001:2008 CERTIFICATE
AUGUST 2016
VALIDATION OF ESMER MPFMS AT BADRA GAZPROM FIELD
FEBRUARY 2016
PSL engineers were at Badra Iraq at the beginning of February to validate the well head MPFMs
(17
off) against a mobile 3-phase horizontal test separator. As with all measuring instruments,
inline MPFMs need to be proven at intervals. In the case of MPFMs it is more practical to do
the
job in-situ and a conventional horizontal gravity separator is best suited for the task.
Thus,
the provision of a conventional separator was included in the project scope from the
beginning
at PSL’s initiative. According to the present project plan, the operator will take direct
responsibility for use of the mobile separator for the validation and in-situ calibration of
the
MPFMs instead of relying on a third party well test service company as per usual practice.
This
would permit a regular test plan to be put in place. The separator, manufactured by China
Oil
HBP Science & Technology (http://www.china-hbp.com),
was designed to handle maximum flow rates of up to 18,000 bpd /day of oil and 20mmscfd of
gas at
a maximum pressure of 43 bar and 120C. Care was taken for optimizing the size of the vessel
to
achieve mobility between 17 well heads. Despite such care, weight of the separator assembly
is
38 tons empty / 57 tons’ full frame dimensions are: 12.5m (L) x 3.6m (W)x 6m (H)). A size
worthy
of attention but the lifting gear and the trucks were more than a match for the challenge.
The
separator was lined up in series with MPFMs and measurements were carried out simultaneously
and
compared. MPFMs were seen to be performing within design uncertainty limits.
FURTHER MPFM INSTALLATIONS AT BADRA
DECEMBER 2015
Readers of this column will be aware that PSL has delivered twenty ESMER MPFMs to Gazprom’s
Badra
Field since 2013. Drilling is ongoing at the field and MPFMs are being brought on line in
stages
as new wells are completed. Another MPFM has just been brought on line in December, bringing
the
total number of MPFMs commissioned to 7, still a little short of half way mark!
ESMER MPFM C2+ MPFM DELIVERED TO IOOC
JULY 2015
esmer C2+ system was delivered to IOOC for installation on a new
wellhead platform constructed within the scope of the Foroozan Field Development Project.
The
FOROOZAN complex is located in Iran and Saudi Arabia border, 110 KM from KHARG Island. ESMER
C2+
MPFM will be used for well testing purposes.
APRIL 2015 FURTHER DELIVERIES OF ESMER C6+ and C14+ MPFMs TO BADRA- IRAQ
Further deliveries of esmers have been made to the Badra Oil field
bringing
the total supplied since October 2013 to 17 off 6” well head MPFMs and three off 14" production line
MPFMs. The operator is Gazprom and contractor is CPPMec.
NOVEMBER 2013 Petrol Kuyuları Sistemleri Ticaret ve Sanayi A.Ş. Istanbul
(PKS)
>PKS is a start up Turkish company founded by Petroleum Software Ltd in 2012. PKS has a twofold
mission;
to conduct R&D and to provide field support for esmer users in Africa
and
the Middle East. Working from offices within the wide green spaces of the Technopark at Istanbul
Technical University (ITU), PKS enjoys the campus life in full. A year after its foundation PKS
already
has in place a team of software, electronics, petroleum and mechanical engineering graduates who
have
passed an intensive training program to provide remote and field support services for esmers directly from Istanbul We are now only a few flying hours away from
esmer's in Africa and the Middle East.
OCTOBER 2013 ESMER C6+ and C14+ MPFMs Delivered to Badra- Iraq
The first batch of esmer C6+ (6") MPMs (three off) and esmer C14+ (14") MPFMs (two off) were delivered to Badra Oil Field in Iraq.
The
MPFMs will be used in well testing and production measurement in Badra Oil Field. The operator is
Gazprom and contractor is CPPMec.
OCTOBER 2012 ESMER GLCC - Multiphase Metering by Compact Separator
We announce the launch of a new product. esmer GLCC is composed of
gas/liquid
cylindrical cyclone separator, passive level controller and conventional metering instruments. esmer GLCC can be used as a complimentary tool (for field calibration and
validation of esmer in-line meters) or as a stand alon multiphase
metering
system in its own right.
OCTOBER 2012 ESMER C3+ Mobile System
esmer C3+ mobile system was delivered to GNPOC Sudan.
OCTOBER 2011 ESMER C6+ System
esmer C6+ fixed MPMs (two off) were delivered for an off-shore application
in
The Gulf.
JULY 2010 ESMER Water-in-Oil Meter
esmer WIO Meter measures the flow rates of individual phases in two-phase
oil-water production lines which remain in the oil continuous phase (*). esmer WIO is based on a cone differential meter which also acts as a
capacitance sensor.
(*) esmer WIO measures oil-water mass flow rate as well as water
composition.
esmer WIO works in the range 0-50% water cut and can tolerate up to 5 %
GVF
within its accuracy specification. esmer WIO is particularly suitable for
use
in production lines and in the liquid leg of separators. Effect of oil density and temperature is
taken
into account in the factory calibration of the meter. Field measurements are automatically
compensated
for changes in oil density and temperature Salinity does not affect the measurement made by esmer WIO Meter – which is based on the characterisation of the dielectric
property of the fluid.
esmer WIO field unit makes two primary measurements which are combined in
the
flow computer to provide the oil flow rate in mass or volumetric units. The primary measurements are
those of dielectric constant (water composition) and differential pressure across the cone (mass
flow
rate).
Do you feel that you are you paying too much for well testing services? Are you finding it difficult
to
operate and maintain a mobile separator? Are you finding it difficult to move around tons and tons
of
equipment?
We may have just the solution for you. esmer Mobile is now available for
hire.
esmer Mobile is easy to operate. It takes one day to learn to operate
esmer Mobile. Mounted on an off-road trailer complete with its robust and
light
accesories, esmer Mobile is easy to transport to the well head. Once at
the
well head, all that remains is to branch the flexi-hose into the pipeline and click on the start
button
on the flow-computer hosted inside the portacabin on the trailer
The meter hosted on the mobile skid can be any esmer selected from the
usual
range (2" to 6") and enjoys the same advantages of wide range and high accuracy of fixed meters.
esmer are non-instrusive (no sand trapping problems) and non-nuclear (oil
industry standard sensors).
MAY 2009 ESMER C3+ Commissioned at ONGC Platform off Mumbai
Petroleum Software has announced today that it has successfully commissioned esmer C3+ mobile multiphase flowmeter at an ONGC platform (VSEA) off
Mumbai.
October 2008 ESMER C3+ Delivered to ONGC
Petroleum Software has announced today that it has successfully tested and delivered an esmer C3+ multiphase flowmeter to ONGC. esmer
C3+
was shown to perform well within its performance specification at laboratory tests conducted at NEL.
The
meter will be used in mobile well testing in the Mumbai off-shore fields.
JUNE 2008 ESMER V2+ Meters Commissioned at Mala Extension WNPOC Sudan
Petroleum Software has announced today that it has successfully commissioned three esmer V2+ multiphase flowmeters at the Mala Extension field in Sudan
operated
by White Nile Petroleum Company (WNPOC). This brings the total number of esmers used by WNPOC in the Mala and neighbouring Thar Jath fields to ten.
The
first set of six meters installed at Thar Jath IN OCTOBER 2006 continue running successfully.
APRIL 2007 ESMER V6 Commissioned at SFJTE Platform Sabah Shell Petroleum
Malaysia
esmer V6 is a six inch nominal diameter compact horizontal non-intrusive
meter
which comprises the usual complement of esmer sensors: venturi with
recovery
pressure measurement, capacitance and conductance sensors. Signal processing is carried out by the
usual
neural net based methodology on a Beckhoff microprocessor housed in an explosion proof enclosure
mounted
directly on the spool. Measurements are displayed locally and transmitted digitally by Modbus
interface.
The meter was tested at NEL in August 2006 (see below), delivered in Autumn 2006 and successfully
commissioned in April 2007.
APRIL 2007 ESMER V3 Commissioned at Mala WNPOC Sudan
esmer V3 is a three inch nominal diameter compact horizontal non-intrusive
meter which comprises the usual complement of esmer sensors: venturi with
recovery pressure measurement, capacitance and conductance sensors. Signal processing is carried out
by
the usual neural net based methodology on a Beckhoff industrial PC housed in the control room. The
meter
was tested at NEL in August 2006 (see below), delivered in Autumn 2006 and successfully commissioned
in
April 2007.
OCTOBER 2006 ESMER V2 Meters Commissioned at Thar Jath field WNPOC Sudan
Petroleum Software has announced today that it has successfully commissioned six esmer V2 multiphase flowmeters at the Thar Jath oil field in Sudan operated
by
White Nile Petroleum Company (WNPOC). The meters were installed and made operational in May 2006 and
have been running trouble free to date. With its robust straight through electromechanical design
and
state-of-the-art technology founded on simple sensors and neural net based software, esmer was an ideal fit for the new Thar Jath development which is located
in
the south of Sudan. esmer was a good fit for WNPOC's requirements for
another
reason; the operator wanted a flow meter which did not employ radioactive sensors.
esmer V2 at Thar Jath
As part of the site acceptance testing well tests were conducted at each one of the six gathering
stations where esmer meters of identical design are installed. A total of
24
wells were tested at intervals over a period of three months to date. It has been observed that the
mass
balance obtained from measurements carried out by six esmer meters agreed
with the total production measured at the Central Processing Facility to within 10% despite the fact
that there were large variations in total production over this period. It is also worth noting that
this
accuracy was achieved without any tuning or adjustments to the factory calibration of the meters.
SEPTEMBER 2006 Petroleum Software Ltd signs technology licence with Siemens
Siemens has awarded a technology licence to Petroleum Software Ltd for manufacturing flow through
electrode capacitance sensors based on active shield technology developed by Siemens. The technology
is
particularly suitable for use in multiphase measurement applications due to its fast response times.
esmer neural nets use features extracted from the capacitance electrodes
at
high frequencies to determine water composition in the presence of gas across the full GVF and water
composition range.
AUGUST 2006 ESMER V6 Tested at NEL Wet Gas Loop
The performance of esmer V6 (6") multiphase meter was evaluated by NEL in the course of an acceptance test
commisioned
by the prospective user (Sabah Shell Petroleum Malaysia). Sixteen measurement points were taken in
the
gas flow range 300 to 900 m3/hr and with liquid loading from 1 to 19% (v/v). The rms error for
liquid
and gas flow rates measurement was observed to be less than 5% of reference measurements and the
system
was accepted by the customer being well within its performance specification.
AUGUST 2006 ESMER V3 Tested at NEL
The performance of esmer V3 (3") multiphase meter was evaluated by NEL in the course of an acceptance test
commisioned
by the prospective user (White Nile Petroleum Company Sudan). Twentyeight measurement points were
taken
across 55 - 90% GVF and 0 - 90% water cut with liquid flow rate varying from 2000 to 10000 bpd. The
rms
error for liquid and gas flow rates and water composition measurement was observed to be less than
5% of
reference measurements the system was accepted by the customer being well within its performance
specification.
APRIL 2006 ESMER V3 selected for White Nile Petroleum Company Development Mala
Sudan
Petroleum Software Ltd has announced today that after a tightly fought contest between leading
suppliers,
WNPOC / Muhibbah (Malaysia) today have announced that Petroleum Software Ltd has been selected to
supply
a flow meter of type esmer V3 for the new field development which will go
into production in April 2006. Background to the Sudan and Thar Jath and Mala field developments
were
published in the Gulf
Oil
and Gas Journal. See also recent news from Sudan Tribune.
24 APRIL 2006 ESMER T2 commissioned on Sabah Shell (Malaysia) SFJT-C
Platform
esmer T2 was successfully commissioned on the SFJT-C satellite platform
today.
is located in the South China Sea, offshore Kota Belud, Sabah, Malaysia. SFJT-C is an unmanned
platform
operating in accordance with minimum intervention with remote operation facilities concept. esmer T2 was supplied as an upgrade for esmer
T3,
running since November 2002. The new meter can be controlled and calibrated remotely without the
need
for any manual intervention and is tailored for the high gas lift wells producing on this platform.
esmer T2 contains a new design feature enhancing its accuracy through
interpretation of the recovery pressure characteristics downstream of the differential device. The
new
design was tested successfully at NEL recently.
28 FEBRUARY 2006 ESMER V6 selected for Sabah Shell (Malaysia) SFJT-E Platform
Development Project
After a tightly fought contest between leading suppliers, Sabah Shell Petroleum today have announced
that
Petroleum Software has been selected to supply a six inch non-radioactive flow meter of type esmer V6 for installation on SFJT-E satellite platform , a field located in
the
South China Sea, offshore Kota Belud, Sabah, Malaysia. SFJT-E will be an unmanned platform in line
with
minimum intervention with remote operation facilities concept. During Phase 1 of the project there
will
be eight production wells and gas lift will be supplied via the neighbouring SFJT-B platform. MPM
shall
be designed to measure bulk maximum and minimum from the production well flowlines as well as the
flows
from a single well string under test in line with Test Separator. Thus a wide turn-down ratio is
required from the meter. This is the second esmer supplied to Shell Sabah
by
Petroleum Software. esmer T3 has been running on the SFJT-C platform
since
November 2002.
21 FEBRUARY 2006 ESMER V2 Systems Delivered to Sudan After a Flow Loop Test at
NEL
esmer V2 non-radioactive in-line flow meter was tested at NEL in January
before the delivery of a batch of six meters to Sudan Thar Jath field (see below). The NEL test was
conducted under a wide range of conditions. The tests were observed by three representatives from
OGP,
Muhibbah and WNPOC. The test report written by NEL showed that the meter was within the stringent
performance requirements of the end user.
24 AUGUST 2005 ESMER V2 selected for White Nile Petroleum Company Development Thar
Jath Sudan
Petroleum Software Ltd has announced today that after a tightly fought contest between leading
suppliers,
WNPOC / Muhibbah (Malaysia) today have announced that Petroleum Software Ltd has been selected to
supply
six flow meters of type esmer V2 for the new field development which will
go
into production in April 2006. Background to the Sudan and Thar Jath field developments were
published
in the Gulf Oil and Gas
Journal.
31 MAY 2005 ESMER T2 starts live use on Kodeco Offshore Platform KE40 – Java Sea
Indonesia
Petroleum Software Ltd has announced today that the esmer T2 multiphase
flow
meter has started live use at the Java Sea off-shore platform KE40 operated by KODECO CNOOC. esmer is presently connected to two wells.
The contract to supply the multiphase meter was awarded after a competitive tender. Kodeco's
selection
was influenced by esmer’s advanced technology based on non-radioactive
sensors and signal processing with neural nets. Another strength of the esmer
system is its remote access and control capabilities. For instance, the calibration of esmer systems can be updated remotely against well tests without platform
visits.
9 SEPTEMBER 2004 ESMER T2 starts live use in East Java – Indonesia
Petroleum Software Ltd has announced today that the esmer T2 multiphase
flow
meter has started live use at the on-shore Sukowati Field Development Project (East Java –
Indonesia)
operated by PetroChina. The performance of the meter was tested against a mobile test separator for
a
period of 6 weeks before PetroChina’s decision to go live on the multiphase meter. esmer is presently connected to two wells producing around 2000 to 5000 bpd
at
a GVF of around 85%.
The contract to supply the multiphase meter for the Sukowati field was awarded after a competitive
tender. PetroChina’s selection was influenced by esmer’s advanced
technology
which relies on robust sensors and signal processing with neural nets. esmer
systems are not encumbered by radioactive sensors or intrusive mixers. Another strength of the esmer system is its remote access and control capabilities. For instance,
the
calibration of esmer systems can be updated remotely against well tests
without the necessity for platform visits by maintenance staff.
The meter was commissioned by PSL engineers as a turn-key system in July 2004 within six weeks of the
purchase order. The meter comprises a field flow computer housed in an ex-d box connected to the
control
room and the company network which is 200 meters away from the flow line via an Ethernet cable. All
commissioning work was undertaken by PSL engineers.
29 DECEMBER 2003 ESMER T2 Selected for Off-shore Platform in Indonesia
Petroleum Software Ltd has announced today that the esmer V2 multiphase
flow
meter has been selected by Kodeco Energy Co. Ltd for use on a minimum facilities off-shore platform
to
be commissioned by the operator in the third quarter of 2004.
KODECO's news release about the development states:
KODECO Energy Co. Ltd. (KODECO), a PS Contractor of BPMigas and the operator of Poleng, KE-23, KE-5
and
KE-2 fields Offshore West Madura, has discovered Oil at the KE-40 contract area about 12 kilometers
from
KE5 (CPP) area. This reservoir is to be developed as a 'Marginal Field' by installing a Minimum
Facilities Platform for a maximum of 7 producing wells and with modifications to the existing KE-5
Central Processing Platform (CPP) facilities to accommodate a minimum of 6,000 BPD Oil, 3,000 BPD
Water
and 30 MMSCFD Gas. The design of KE-40 shall be for a stand-alone, normally unmanned, minimum
facilities
braced monopod structure.
The contract to supply the multiphase meter for KE-40 was awarded after a competitive tender which
brought esmer into competition with systems offered by Schlumberger and
Roxar. Kodeco's selection was influenced by esmer's advanced technology
which
relies on robust sensors and signal processing with neural nets. esmer
systems are not encumbered by radioactive sensors or intrusive mixers. Another strength of the esmer system is its remote access and control capabilities. For instance,
the
calibration of esmer systems can be updated remotely against well tests
without the necessity for platform visits by maintenance staff.
19 NOVEMBER 2002 ESMER T3 Commissioned at Off-shore Platform in Malaysia
Petroleum Software has announced today that the esmer T3 multiphase
flowmeter
has been commissioned successfully at a Sabah offshore platform of the Sabah Shell Petroleum Company
Ltd
(SSPC - Malaysia). esmer T3 meter fits in with the "smart field" project
of
SSPC which is led by Dr Dasline Sinta.
The picture shows Dr
Dasline Sinta of SSPC and Dr Shiqian Cai of PSL on the off-shore platform in front
of
esmer T3
With its compact size and state-of-the-art technology founded on simple sensors and neural net based
software, esmer was an ideal fit for the slim platform. SSPC also wanted
a
flow meter which did not employ radioactive sensors.
In early field tests conducted after commissioning, it has been observed that liquid flow rates
measured
on-line by the esmer system agreed within +/-5% of the test separator and
gas
flowrates agreed within +/- 5-10%. Low watercut readings (1-3%) detected by the meter were
undetected
visually in the manual samples. The esmer multiphase flowmeter has been
connected into the Shell computer network and being monitored from an onshore production control
centre
some 200 km away.