Research on Critical Liquid-Carrying Model in Wellbore and Laboratory Experimental Verification

Liquid loading in gas wells may slash production rates, shorten life, or even stop production. In order to reveal the mechanism of liquid and predict its critical flowrates, theoretical research laboratory experiments were conducted this work. A new model liquid-film reversal was established based on Newton’s law internal friction gas–liquid two-phase force balance, with reverse point obtained using minimum interface shear method. model, influences pipe angle film thickness considered, coefficient refined experimental data. The results showed that interfacial increases by increasing superficial velocity, which leads first an increase liquid-carrying velocity then a decrease, also decreases. With 0° as vertical position pipeline inclination angle, decreases, maximum appears range 30–40°. addition, is positively correlated diameter. Compared previous work performed better considering prediction discrepancy experiment data less than 10%, shows can be used calculate flow rate wells. outcome provides understanding liquid-loading mechanism. Furthermore, proposed provide guidance field design prevent loading.