Artificial neural network model for predicting bottomhole flowing pressure in vertical multiphase flow

Accurate prediction of pressure drop in vertical multiphase flow is needed for effective design of tubing and optimum production strategies. Several correlations and mechanistic models have been developed since 1950. In addition to the limitations on the applicability of all existing correlations, they all fails to provide the desired accuracy of pressure drop predictions. The recently developed mechanistic models provided little improvements in pressure drop prediction over the empirical correlations. However, there is still a need to further improve the accuracy of prediction for a more effective and economical design of wells and better optimization of production operations. This paper presents an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model for prediction of the bottom-hole flowing pressure and consequently the pressure drop in vertical multiphase flow. The model was developed and tested using field data covering a wide range of variables. A total of 206 field data sets collected from Middle East fields; were used to develop the ANN model. These data sets were divided into training, cross validation and testing sets in the ratio of 3:1:1. The testing subset of data, which were not seen by the ANN model during the training phase, was used to test the prediction accuracy of the model and compare its performance against existing correlations and mechanistic models. The results showed that the present model significantly outperforms all existing methods and provides predictions with higher accuracy. This was verified in terms of highest correlation coefficient, lowest average absolute percent error, lowest standard deviation, lowest maximum error, and lowest root mean square error. A trend analysis was also conducted and showed that the present model provides the expected effects of the various physical parameters on pressure drop.