Exception-Based Surveillance - Integrating Well Models, Real Time Production Estimates and Hydrocarbon Accounting Tool in Well Operating Envelopes to Ensure Optimal Well Production within Safe Limits

Abstract

Abstract On a daily basis, the Well, Reservoir and Facility Management (WRFM) team screens all producer and injector wells to identify those wells that are under-performing or outside safe operating limits. A 'Well Operating Envelope' tool has been developed, focused on establishing the boundary conditions of various safety-critical parameters and optimized well performance. Current well operating conditions, derived from real-time gauges and flow estimates from Production Universe (PU), are monitored vis-à-vis these parameters via this tool to identify the "problematic" wells. Various diagnostic tools (i.e. Surface P-Q curves, VLP-IPR Nodal Analysis, Tulsa Flowline erosion model, Gas-Lift response curve, Inflow performance, SC-SSSV pressure plot and Hall plot derivatives) have been used and visualized for better understanding of the well flowing conditions for both production and injection systems. This tool fetches data from multiple databases like Data Historian, Energy Components and Production Universe (PU); it is also capable of interfacing with Prosper and WinGlue to fetch well performance data automatically. Following improvements have been observed with implementation of this tool:Traffic light and graphical representation enables quick well surveillance in identifying problematic wells and taking corrective measures.Monitoring of the daily PU estimated production vis-à-vis well tests, allocated production volumes and the physical well models will increase hydrocarbon accounting efficiency.Monitoring real-time parameters like FTHP, FBHP, and flowrates allows the Petroleum Engineers and Operations to operate safely within defined boundaries.Monitoring of parameters like GOR, drawdown will enable adherence to reservoir management guidelines and reduce potential reserve losses. Visualization of information from multiple data sources into this real-time tool provides an effective and efficient monitoring to ensure optimal well production within safe limits on a day-to-day basis for well, reservoir and facility management.