State-owned PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy has officially announced launched Flow2Max, a technological breakthrough that allows for the real-time measurement of two-phase fluid streams in geothermal facilities.

Flow2Max is the world’s first flow meter capable of providing more reliable, easy, real-time, accurate, flexible, and dependable measurement of two-phase (liquid and vapor) fluid flow. It enables companies to evaluate well performance more regularly, predict production well productivity, and detect technical problems in wells early.

“We believe that Flow2Max will be a game-changer in the global geothermal industry. This innovation is a testament to our commitment to drive technological advancement and provide sustainable solutions to the world’s energy challenges,” said Julfi Hadi, President Director of PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy Tbk.

As a strategic step to accelerate the adoption of Flow2Max globally, PGE has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ecolab, a US-based company, to further develop, manufacture and distribute Flow2Max to the global market, thereby providing broader benefits to the global geothermal industry.

A product of years of innovation

This innovation is the result of intensive research and development by PGE, and is believed to bring significant changes in the management of geothermal reservoirs globally.

As we first reported back in 2021, Flow2Max was developed by Mohamad Husni Mubarok PhD (Husni), Manager of Production and Operational Excellence at PGE. It is one of the results of his doctoral studies at The University of Auckland, New Zealand.

In his research, Husni developed a method and tool combined with a special algorithm, now called the Mubarok Equation, which allows accurate measurement of two-phase fluid flow parameters, namely mass flow and enthalpy, in geothermal wells. Husni has published several papers on the topic.

This technology has obtained a patent certificate from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for “Real-time Measurement of Two-phase Mass Flow Rate and Enthalpy Using Pressure Differential Devices” with Patent Number: 11,698,281. In addition, several patents in Iceland, Turkey, the Philippines, and New Zealand have also been issued certificates.

In Indonesia, this technology has also been registered for a patent whose certificate was issued by the Directorate General of Intellectual Property, Ministry of Law and Human Rights of the Republic of Indonesia.

Pertamina as a pioneer in geothermal innovation

PGE’s commitment to continue innovating is also demonstrated through the development of Geoflowtest, a portable geothermal well production test device also invented by Husni. Geoflowtest is used to test well production capacity in real-time, producing fast and accurate data.

Husni stated the both Flow2Max and Geoflowtest technologies are also useful in other industrial sectors, such as oil and gas, utilities, and processing industries.

“Technological innovations such as Flow2Max and Geoflowtest contribute to better geothermal well management which ultimately increases the efficiency and reliability of geothermal power plant operations,” said Husni.

“The application of this technology is very broad to help various industrial sectors achieve operational excellence.”

The development of Flow2Max is a manifestation of PGE’s commitment to driving innovation in geothermal energy development. Through significant investment in research and development, PGE not only plays a role as a clean energy producer, but also as a pioneer in sustainable energy innovation.

by thinkgeoenergy