Subsea multiphase boosting offers several advantages in field development for both greenfield and brownfield projects. Furthermore, it seems to be a key enabler for development of remote fields. Currently several subsea boosting technologies are made commercially available and have been successfully installed and tested in fields around the world.

However, for the early phases in the assessment of a subsea field developments, models are required for an appropriate selection of available technologies, including preliminary calculations of flow and discharge pressure capabilities and power requirements. At this stage, uncertainty level is very high and therefore accurate models are not required. Simplified models coupled with process simulators and other commercial tools will be sufficient. Simplified models will also enable an integrated modelling of the field and production optimisation in the conceptual design phase.

Nevertheless, detailed performance prediction models of multiphase boosters is also required under changing conditions in the field lifetime (e.g. flow rates, fluid properties, gas void fraction). This calls for an increased understanding of thermodynamics and fluid dynamics phenomena in multiphase boosters. Therefore, the main goal in this project is the development of numerical models for prediction of multiphase booster performance.

In the first phase of the project, the main goal is the development of a simplified and robust model for currently available technologies for subsea multiphase boosting. Subsequently, the focus will be a detailed study of thermodynamic and fluid dynamics phenomena in multiphase boosters. Finally, the comprehensive study of multiphase behaviour of pumps and compressors will aid the development of more accurate proxy-models for
performance prediction.