1. n. [Well Completions]

A multiphase fluid flow regime characterized by the gas phase being distributed as bubbles through the liquid phase. In a producing wellbore where the bubbles are uniformly distributed, there is little relative motion between the phases. Where the bubbles congregate and combine to form a less uniform distribution of the gas phase, some slippage will occur between the phases with the gas tending to cut through the liquid phase.

See: flow regime,  slip

2. n. [Production Logging]

A multiphase flow regime in pipes in which one fluid moves as small dispersed bubbles through a continuous fluid. The relative velocity of the bubbles depends mainly on the difference in density between the two fluids. Bubble flow normally occurs at low flow rate and low holdup of the bubbly fluid. As the velocity of the continuous fluid increases, the bubbles are dispersed into smaller, more widely separated bubbles. This is known as a dispersed or finely dispersed bubble flow, or sometimes dispersed flow.

Synonyms: dispersed bubble flow

See: flow structure,  plug flow,  slug flow