Crude oil-water emulsions formed by nozzle type inflow control device

Conventional water-in-oil emulsion studies where shear energy intensity and duration are applied to achieve ‘equilibrium’ emulsion droplet properties may not represent partial emulsion conditions observed in single pass flow through Inflow Control Device (ICD) orifices. Our experiments provide data expected to improve emulsion transport models for partial emulsification processes expected in well completion and production tubulars. Development of a novel flow adaptor apparatus is described together with a laboratory homogeniser enables independent control of shear intensity and duration together with input water volume fraction. The emulsions formed are characterised with a benchtop Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectrometer for water content and droplet size, viscosity by a rotating bob viscometer and free water/emulsion proportion by optical photography. Experimental results confirmed partial emulsification above 30% V/V, as observed in both previous ICD flow experiments and field observations. Electrical conductivity measurements of the emulsions produced indicated that partial emulsification comprising an oil external emulsion phase together with free water, rather than emulsion inversion, occurs in this system. • Novel apparatus generates analogues of inflow control device (ICD) emulsions. • Partial emulsification quantified vs water cut, shear rate and shear duration. • Partial emulsion mixture viscosity vs water cut trends resemble emulsion inversion. • Good agreement between Lab and Field water cut vs viscosity trends.