PR-015-13611-R01 Evaluation of Selected Sampling Techniques on Hydrocarbon-Wet Gas Streams

This project evaluated selected single-phase gas sampling methods as candidates for use in sampling hydrocarbon-wet gas streams and obtaining representative samples of only the gas phase, rather than samples of both the gas and liquid. Two spot sampling methods, the helium “pop” method and the floating piston cylinder method, were chosen for evaluation. To capture samples of only the gas phase required one or more arrangements for separating liquids from the sample stream. To this end, a coalescing filter and a vortex separator were chosen for testing with the two sampling methods. The various sampling approaches were tested using the Sampling Method Performance Verification Procedure of API MPMS Chapter 14.1, Appendix F, adapted as appropriate for use in hydrocarbon-wet gas streams. Preliminary tests at SwRI’s Metering Research Facility (MRF) were used to identify possible problems with the equipment and sampling procedures, so that the equipment and procedures could be corrected before the formal tests were conducted. The formal tests were performed at a field site carrying a hydrocarbon-wet gas stream from a shale formation. Results of the formal tests produced recommendations to improve the general ability of the chosen wet-gas sampling method to capture accurate samples of the gas phase, as well as recommended changes to the API Sampling Verification Procedure for testing wet-gas sampling methods.