Date of Award

Summer 8-1-2025

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Petroleum Engineering (MSPE)

Committee Chair

Burt Todd

First Advisor

David Rathgeber

Second Advisor

Md Nahid Hasan

Abstract

In small-diameter (1-inch) vertical pipes, predicting the onset of liquid loading in gas-liquid flows remains challenging due to limitations of conventional flow regime maps. This study addresses that problem by comparing the flow regime prediction performance of the classic Orkiszewski map against a more recent map by Wu et al. (2017). Experimental data were collected using the Montana Tech Vertical Flow Loop in a 1-inch tubing system under a range of gas and liquid flow rates. A pressure-type curve analysis method was applied to interpret the multiphase flow behavior and identify regime transitions. The focus was on the critical annularmist to churn flow transition, which signifies the onset of liquid loading in gas wells. Results indicate that Wu et al.'s flow map more accurately predicts this transition in 1-inch tubing than the Orkiszewski map, aligning closely with the observed flow transitions. These findings suggest that Wu et al.'s map provides improved predictive capability for liquid loading in small-diameter pipes. The study underscores the importance of using updated flow regime maps when designing mitigation strategies for liquid loading in gas wells.

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