Post-Extrapolation Method for Simulating Unsteady Multiphase Flow in Oil and Gas Transport Pipelines

Abdalla Ali Estuti

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ogce.20251305.11

Research Article |

| Peer-Reviewed

Post-Extrapolation Method for Simulating Unsteady Multiphase Flow in Oil and Gas Transport Pipelines

Abdalla Ali Estuti^*

Published in International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering (Volume 13, Issue 5)

Received: 20 May 2025 Accepted: 11 June 2025 Published: 24 December 2025

Views: Downloads:

Download PDF

Share This Article

Twitter
Linked In
Facebook

Abstract

Transient multiphase flow phenomena—such as cavitation, gas release, and pressure wave propagation—are critical challenges in oil and gas pipeline operations. These events, often triggered by sudden pump shutdowns or valve operations, can lead to equipment damage, production losses, and safety hazards. Accurate and stable simulation of such transients is essential for flow assurance, system design, and real-time decision-making in hydrocarbon transport networks. This study introduces a simulation framework based on the Post-Extrapolation Method (PEM), a numerical scheme developed to compute pressure and void fraction at specified time steps without requiring interpolation. PEM is applied to simulate one-dimensional, isothermal, transient multiphase flow representative of upstream and midstream oil and gas pipeline systems. Model validation is conducted against a well-established experimental benchmark involving cavitation and gas release phenomena. The results from PEM confirm its accuracy, stability, and suitability for modeling complex multiphase transients in oil and gas pipelines, offering a robust tool for engineers and operators.

Published in	International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering (Volume 13, Issue 5)
DOI	10.11648/j.ogce.20251305.11
Page(s)	74-83
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Multiphase Flow, Cavitation, Post-Extrapolation Method, Pipeline Transients, Gas Release, Flow Assurance, PEM Simulation, Valve Closure, CFD Validation

References

[1]	A. A. Estuti and E. Litvai, “Post-extrapolation for specified time-step results without interpolation, in MOC-based 1D hydraulic transients and gas release computations,” J. Comput. Appl. Mech., vol. 18, no. 1, pp. 85–95, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.32973/jcam.2023.003
[2]	R. Mnasri, S. He, H. Bai, and K. B. Cheong, “Low pressure experimental validation of low-dimensional analytical model for air–water two-phase transient flow in horizontal pipelines,” Fluids, vol. 6, no. 6, p. 220, 2021. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.3390/fluids6060220
[3]	Y. Zhou, Y. Wu, and Y. Liu, “Coupled CFD-OLGA simulation of transient multiphase flows in gas–liquid pipelines,” Chem. Eng. Sci., vol. 246, p. 117030, 2021. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ces.2021.117030
[4]	J. C. Pinho, J. C. Santos, H. M. Ramos, and D. I. C. Covas, “Transient flow of cavitating water column with air release and entrainment: Experimental analysis and numerical modeling,” J. Hydraul. Eng., vol. 140, no. 6, p. 04014018, 2014. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)HY.1943-7900.0000855
[5]	C. Kranenburg, “Gas release during transient cavitation in pipes,” J. Hydraul. Div., vol. 100, no. 10, pp. 1383–1398, 1974. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1061/JYCEAJ.0004077
[6]	C. E. Brennen, Cavitation and Bubble Dynamics, Cambridge, UK: Cambridge Univ. Press, 2014. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781107338614
[7]	E. B. Wylie and V. L. Streeter, Fluid Transients in Systems, 2nd ed. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1993.
[8]	Y. Liu, Y. Wang, and J. Zhang, “Modeling of gas desorption during pipeline transients,” J. Pet. Sci. Eng., vol. 186, p. 106731, 2020. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petrol.2019.106731
[9]	S. G. Vassilevski and D. L. Brown, “A comparison of characteristic-based and finite-volume methods for transient multiphase flow,” Comput. Fluids, vol. 35, no. 4, pp. 466–478, 2006. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compfluid.2005.03.002
[10]	D. Tselepidakis and M. A. Malamataris, “Modeling cavitating two-phase pipe flows using advanced numerical schemes,” Int. J. Multiphase Flow, vol. 34, no. 6, pp. 539–554, 2008. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmultiphaseflow.2008.01.009
[11]	C. Berbente and R. Dumitrescu, “On transient compressible multiphase pipe flow modeling,” J. Hydraul. Res., vol. 40, no. 3, pp. 321–328, 2002. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1080/00221680209499947
[12]	S. Serban, A. Dinca, and D. Chiriac, “Comparison of multiphase transient modeling techniques in oil and gas transportation,” U. P. B. Sci. Bull., Series D, vol. 82, no. 4, pp. 159–168, 2020. [Online]. Available: https://www.scientificbulletin.upb.ro/rev_docs_arhiva/fullf17_653086.pdf
[13]	A. Fan, J. Zhang, and X. Bai, “A hybrid data–physics model for multiphase pipeline transient prediction using OLGA and machine learning,” J. Pet. Sci. Eng., vol. 208, p. 109578, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petrol.2021.109578
[14]	L. Zheng, H. Lin, and Y. Chen, “Numerical simulation and experimental validation of gas–liquid flow transients in long-distance pipelines,” J. Nat. Gas Sci. Eng., vol. 36, pp. 57–67, 2016. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jngse.2016.10.004
[15]	R. Dindoruk, R. W. Whitson, and R. D. Peden, “Gas behavior in multiphase systems: Measurement and modeling,” SPE J., vol. 22, no. 5, pp. 1732–1746, 2017. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.2118/186994-PA

Cite This Article

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Estuti, A. A. (2025). Post-Extrapolation Method for Simulating Unsteady Multiphase Flow in Oil and Gas Transport Pipelines. International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering, 13(5), 74-83. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ogce.20251305.11

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Estuti, A. A. Post-Extrapolation Method for Simulating Unsteady Multiphase Flow in Oil and Gas Transport Pipelines. Int. J. Oil Gas Coal Eng. 2025, 13(5), 74-83. doi: 10.11648/j.ogce.20251305.11

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Estuti AA. Post-Extrapolation Method for Simulating Unsteady Multiphase Flow in Oil and Gas Transport Pipelines. Int J Oil Gas Coal Eng. 2025;13(5):74-83. doi: 10.11648/j.ogce.20251305.11

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ogce.20251305.11,
  author = {Abdalla Ali Estuti},
  title = {Post-Extrapolation Method for Simulating Unsteady Multiphase Flow in Oil and Gas Transport Pipelines},
  journal = {International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering},
  volume = {13},
  number = {5},
  pages = {74-83},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ogce.20251305.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ogce.20251305.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ogce.20251305.11},
  abstract = {Transient multiphase flow phenomena—such as cavitation, gas release, and pressure wave propagation—are critical challenges in oil and gas pipeline operations. These events, often triggered by sudden pump shutdowns or valve operations, can lead to equipment damage, production losses, and safety hazards. Accurate and stable simulation of such transients is essential for flow assurance, system design, and real-time decision-making in hydrocarbon transport networks. This study introduces a simulation framework based on the Post-Extrapolation Method (PEM), a numerical scheme developed to compute pressure and void fraction at specified time steps without requiring interpolation. PEM is applied to simulate one-dimensional, isothermal, transient multiphase flow representative of upstream and midstream oil and gas pipeline systems. Model validation is conducted against a well-established experimental benchmark involving cavitation and gas release phenomena. The results from PEM confirm its accuracy, stability, and suitability for modeling complex multiphase transients in oil and gas pipelines, offering a robust tool for engineers and operators.},
 year = {2025}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Post-Extrapolation Method for Simulating Unsteady Multiphase Flow in Oil and Gas Transport Pipelines
AU  - Abdalla Ali Estuti
Y1  - 2025/12/24
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ogce.20251305.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ogce.20251305.11
T2  - International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering
JF  - International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering
JO  - International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering
SP  - 74
EP  - 83
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2376-7677
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ogce.20251305.11
AB  - Transient multiphase flow phenomena—such as cavitation, gas release, and pressure wave propagation—are critical challenges in oil and gas pipeline operations. These events, often triggered by sudden pump shutdowns or valve operations, can lead to equipment damage, production losses, and safety hazards. Accurate and stable simulation of such transients is essential for flow assurance, system design, and real-time decision-making in hydrocarbon transport networks. This study introduces a simulation framework based on the Post-Extrapolation Method (PEM), a numerical scheme developed to compute pressure and void fraction at specified time steps without requiring interpolation. PEM is applied to simulate one-dimensional, isothermal, transient multiphase flow representative of upstream and midstream oil and gas pipeline systems. Model validation is conducted against a well-established experimental benchmark involving cavitation and gas release phenomena. The results from PEM confirm its accuracy, stability, and suitability for modeling complex multiphase transients in oil and gas pipelines, offering a robust tool for engineers and operators.
VL  - 13
IS  - 5
ER  -

Copy | Download

Author Information

Abdalla Ali Estuti

Department of Major Projects, National Oil Corporation (NOC), Tripoli, Libya

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0002-5090-0675

Download PDF

Submit an Article

Sections

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Estuti, A. A. (2025). Post-Extrapolation Method for Simulating Unsteady Multiphase Flow in Oil and Gas Transport Pipelines. International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering, 13(5), 74-83. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ogce.20251305.11

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Estuti, A. A. Post-Extrapolation Method for Simulating Unsteady Multiphase Flow in Oil and Gas Transport Pipelines. Int. J. Oil Gas Coal Eng. 2025, 13(5), 74-83. doi: 10.11648/j.ogce.20251305.11

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Estuti AA. Post-Extrapolation Method for Simulating Unsteady Multiphase Flow in Oil and Gas Transport Pipelines. Int J Oil Gas Coal Eng. 2025;13(5):74-83. doi: 10.11648/j.ogce.20251305.11

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ogce.20251305.11,
  author = {Abdalla Ali Estuti},
  title = {Post-Extrapolation Method for Simulating Unsteady Multiphase Flow in Oil and Gas Transport Pipelines},
  journal = {International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering},
  volume = {13},
  number = {5},
  pages = {74-83},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ogce.20251305.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ogce.20251305.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ogce.20251305.11},
  abstract = {Transient multiphase flow phenomena—such as cavitation, gas release, and pressure wave propagation—are critical challenges in oil and gas pipeline operations. These events, often triggered by sudden pump shutdowns or valve operations, can lead to equipment damage, production losses, and safety hazards. Accurate and stable simulation of such transients is essential for flow assurance, system design, and real-time decision-making in hydrocarbon transport networks. This study introduces a simulation framework based on the Post-Extrapolation Method (PEM), a numerical scheme developed to compute pressure and void fraction at specified time steps without requiring interpolation. PEM is applied to simulate one-dimensional, isothermal, transient multiphase flow representative of upstream and midstream oil and gas pipeline systems. Model validation is conducted against a well-established experimental benchmark involving cavitation and gas release phenomena. The results from PEM confirm its accuracy, stability, and suitability for modeling complex multiphase transients in oil and gas pipelines, offering a robust tool for engineers and operators.},
 year = {2025}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Post-Extrapolation Method for Simulating Unsteady Multiphase Flow in Oil and Gas Transport Pipelines
AU  - Abdalla Ali Estuti
Y1  - 2025/12/24
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ogce.20251305.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ogce.20251305.11
T2  - International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering
JF  - International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering
JO  - International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering
SP  - 74
EP  - 83
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2376-7677
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ogce.20251305.11
AB  - Transient multiphase flow phenomena—such as cavitation, gas release, and pressure wave propagation—are critical challenges in oil and gas pipeline operations. These events, often triggered by sudden pump shutdowns or valve operations, can lead to equipment damage, production losses, and safety hazards. Accurate and stable simulation of such transients is essential for flow assurance, system design, and real-time decision-making in hydrocarbon transport networks. This study introduces a simulation framework based on the Post-Extrapolation Method (PEM), a numerical scheme developed to compute pressure and void fraction at specified time steps without requiring interpolation. PEM is applied to simulate one-dimensional, isothermal, transient multiphase flow representative of upstream and midstream oil and gas pipeline systems. Model validation is conducted against a well-established experimental benchmark involving cavitation and gas release phenomena. The results from PEM confirm its accuracy, stability, and suitability for modeling complex multiphase transients in oil and gas pipelines, offering a robust tool for engineers and operators.
VL  - 13
IS  - 5
ER  -

Copy | Download