(35c) Real-time Monitoring of a Subsea Boosting System

Real time processing of the data from sensors along the flow path is vital in making decisions on flow optimization and operating the flow boosting equipment. The real-time flow   metering, advisory and optimization software which reads the data from the sensors, performs flow calculations and provides the field operators and engineers with data on flowrates, densities, viscosities, pressures and temperatures of oil, water and gas along the flow path at several points of interest to optimize performance of the boosting system.

The application of real-time virtual metering software provides operation flexibility in managing a subsea boosting system having multiphase subsea electrical submersible pumps and recycle line. Based on the sensor data, the virtual metering software calculates variables like pump head, flowrate, shaft power etc., and displays the pump operating point against pump operating curves (Speed and Power) on web pages which are enabled by the inline web browser links on the Human Machine Interface (HMI) screens. The operator is fed with the information needed to operate the field such that the pump operating point stays within the boundaries of the customer specified preferred operating envelope.