In the oil & gas industry sporadic studies are developed to analyse the flow conditions and operations procedures through the life of the field. The objective of those studies is to understand the environment, boundary conditions and properties changes along the fluid journey. For characterization of the production behavior, engineers use model-based multiphase flow simulation via various applications available on the market.

A constant understanding of the fluid flow conditions is valuable for the decision process on the execution of operational procedures. A robust flow assurance strategy is dependent on the level of awareness of the real production conditions prior to a fluid flow interruption event. Fiber optics distributed sensor system has been recently used mainly for integrity monitoring purposes; the proposed methodology unlocks the additional values for interfacing disciplines as flow assurance by the provided simultaneous distributed measurements of temperature, strain, and vibration.

The model-based multiphase flow simulations represent flowlines and production networks and as output of those simulations operating profiles are used to evaluate the risk of solids precipitation and deposition along the flow path. A regular update of simulation models by real-time data from field sensor results in a more reliable representation of the production system operating profile that can support the flow assurance strategy by the detection, monitoring, and location of events.

This paper proposes the use of real-time data acquisition from an optical-fiber distributed sensor for the assurance of fluid flow along the production system. It outlines a methodology to perform flow assurance automated surveillance based on multiphase flow simulation models constantly fed with real-time field measurements to estimate fluid flow conditions throughout the system to avoid potential problems, such as flow restrictions due to solids deposition.