Technology Focus: Production and Facilities (December 2019)

Abstract

Technology Focus Innovation is alive and well in our industry, as evidenced by this year’s feature selections. The major thrust of papers relating to production and facilities continue to be big data analytics, process and field optimization, piping and pipelining, and the performance of inflow-control devices (ICDs and autonomous ICDs, or AICDs). For ICDs and AICDs, publications have evolved from descriptions of the devices and how they work to field reports of their successful implementation. As with most new technologies, their degree and frequency of success are rapidly improving. Progress is exemplified by efforts to couple ICD/AICD installations with reservoir simulation (paper SPE 193364), thus giving technologists the ability to develop and digitally test placement models for ICD/AICD devices.• One paper (SPE 195450) reports on the completion of three wells in one formation. The well with ICDs outperformed the wells with a slotted liner or•perforations. • For big data analytics, novel development work continues to focus on improving algorithms for directing preventative maintenance and risk-based inspections with fewer false-positive alarms. This technology has even begun migrating from the research and development stage by operators to use by service companies. One step-out application of big data analytics is the use of autonomous ground vehicles for the monitoring of buried onshore pipelines (paper SPE 192773). This allows for much more sophisticated pipeline inspections with far less health, safety, and environmental exposure.• A project-management paper deserving attention describes a successful multiteam project with emphasis on interdisciplinary communication. The objective was to construct and start up a large liquefied natural gas train. The project involved 370 deliverables with over 7,000 unique line items (paper SPE•191984). Other papers describing creative new technology include the testing of nano-paint-aided electromagnetic pigging of pipelines and production tubing (paper SPE 196112), a tetherless autonomous device capable of traveling with or against production flow to accomplish pigging and inspection (paper SPE• 195709), and the use of a solid propellant accumulator for activating blowout preventers (paper OTC 29151). These and a number of other publications are great examples of creative work on nascent technologies to improve all aspects of oil and gas production. Recommended additional reading at OnePetro: www.onepetro.org. SPE 191984 Facility Operations Readiness and Project Startup Support and Integration by Michael Maher, ConocoPhillips SPE 196112 Nanopaint-Aided Electromagnetic Pigging in Pipelines and Production Tubing by Ningyu Wang, The University of Texas at Austin, et al. OTC 29151 Solid Propellant Accumulators—Next-Generation Hydraulic•Power Source for Cold-Weather BOPs by Nazareth Bedrossian, Bastion Technologies