In the world of natural gas extraction, the term “wet gas” presents a significant challenge. This mixture of natural gas, condensates, and water requires precise measurement and handling to ensure efficient and safe operations. The Crux Project, a major venture by Shell Australia, is tackling this challenge head-on with an innovative approach to water cut measurement.

The Crux Project: A New Frontier in Natural Gas

Located off the coast of Western Australia, the Crux Project is set to be a key supplier for the Prelude Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) facility. This project involves a not normally manned (NNM) platform, five production wells, and a 160-kilometer export pipeline. Given the nature of the gas field, accurate measurement of the water content within the extracted gas is critical for both operational integrity and product quality.

A Collaborative Solution for a Complex Problem

To address the unique demands of the Crux Project, a powerful collaboration was formed between Ensetcorp, Krohne, and Sentech AS. The challenge was to deliver a reliable water cut measurement solution in a wet gas stream with a staggering 99% gas volume fraction (GVF).

The integrated solution masterfully combines two cutting-edge technologies:

• Krohne’s Venturi meter: This device provides precise flow measurement, a fundamental requirement for understanding the total volume of the wet gas stream.

• Sentech’s advanced water cut meter: This specialized meter is designed to accurately determine the percentage of water within the multiphase flow, even in the most challenging high-GVF environments.

The Technology Behind the Success

Water cut measurement is the process of determining the percentage of water in a mixture of oil, gas, and water. Inaccurate readings can lead to corrosion, equipment damage, and inefficiencies in the production process.

The combination of a Venturi meter for flow rate and a dedicated water cut meter for water content provides a comprehensive and reliable system. The Venturi meter creates a pressure differential in the flow, which can be used to calculate the flow rate. The water cut meter, likely employing advanced technologies such as microwave or optical sensing, then analyzes the composition of the stream to determine the water percentage. This dual approach ensures a high level of accuracy, which is essential for projects of the scale and complexity of the Crux Project.

Pushing the Boundaries of Innovation

The successful collaboration between Ensetcorp, Krohne, and Sentech AS on the Crux Project demonstrates the power of integrated solutions in the oil and gas industry. By combining their expertise, they have developed a system that can reliably and accurately measure water cut in extremely challenging wet gas conditions. This not only enhances the efficiency and safety of the Crux Project but also sets a new standard for wet gas measurement technology worldwide.