[1] Conventional solutions[buzzword] concerning two- and three-phase metering systems require expensive and cumbersome test separators, with associated high maintenance, and field personnel intervention.
The oil and gas industry began to be interested in developing MPFMs in the early 1980s, as measurement technology improved, and wellhead separators were costly.
Haimo introduced a meter with partial separation, making accurate measurement simpler, but at the expense of a physically larger device.
Norway has remained a technology center for MPFM with the Norwegian Society for Oil and Gas Measurement (NFOGM) providing an academic and educational role.
[4] Since 1994, MPFM installation numbers have steadily increased as technology in the field has advanced, with substantial growth witnessed from 1999 onwards.
[5] A recent study estimated that there were approximately 2,700 MPFM applications including field allocation, production optimisation and mobile well testing in 2006.
The cost of MPFMs today remains in the range of US$100,000 – US$500,000 (varying with onshore/offshore, topside/subsea, the physical dimensions of the meter and the number of units ordered).