NEL, the flow measurement R&D specialist, has been selected to lead the development of a new multiphase flow measurement standard for the oil and gas industry.

Despite the growing use of multiphase meters to cope with complex fluid mixtures from ageing fields which have depleting reserves, there is no internationally accepted standard for the testing of multiphase flow meters.

The new standard should provide operators and regulatory authorities with more confidence in testing procedures and results, ensuring measurement accuracy and reducing their financial risks.

Dr Michael Reader-Harris, principal consultant at NEL, has been proposed by the British Standards Institution (BSI) and accepted by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) to lead a work programme to develop a new Technical Report in collaboration with other multiphase experts across the world.

“Multiphase flow meters were developed in the early 1990s to address the need for the economical development of marginal, deeper and more complex fields. While industry recognises the vital role these meters will play in the shift to subsea production, the international standards required to ensure flow measurement accuracy have not materialised. This burgeoning meter market needs international guidelines, and our project will ensure consistency and reduce risk,” says Dr Michael Reader-Harris.