Multiphase production control:: Application to slug flow

TACITE, developed at IFP, is a compositional software able to simulate the behaviour of transient multiphase flow in production pipelines and wells with process equipment such as controllers, valves, separators, lateral injectors, productivity index or bundles. This paper presents first the set of partial differential equations that are solved in this software. Then, the different models (thermodynamic, hydrodynamic, thermal and numerical) are briefly described. Through a field case example, we illustrate that the use of a transient simulator, such TACITE, is essential in the engineering design phase. For instance, it can be used to test control schemes for multiphase production installation. We also illustrate the importance of the compositional approach that has been developed in this code. This example deals with the Dunbar pipeline in which undesirable transient phenomena called "severe slugging" can occur. The simulation results of different production schemes that can prevent severe slugging occuring are presented and their efficiency is analysed.