Closed-Loop Well Automation for Multi-Well Production Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manually updating operation parameters of multiple wells in a field is time-consuming and inefficient, leading to lost production opportunities and impractical management as the number of wells increases.
Innovation Solution
A closed-loop automation tool models individual wells and their connections, using field measurements to validate and calibrate well and field models, determining operation parameters such as gas lift gas rate and electrical submersible pump frequency to optimize production with minimal human intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual updating of operation parameters is used for multiple wells, then operational control is maintained, but time consumption increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service automation where the well operations system automatically updates operation parameters based on calibrated well models and field measurements, eliminating the need for manual intervention and significantly improving productivity while reducing time loss
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements closed-loop feedback by continuously obtaining field measurements, comparing actual performance with model predictions, recalibrating well models based on measurement discrepancies, and automatically adjusting operation parameters to optimize well performance
2Quantity of substance
If the number of wells in a field increases, then field capacity increases, but manual management complexity increases and becomes impractical
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a universal field model that simulates connections between multiple wells and applies the same automated calibration and optimization process across all wells, allowing the system to handle any number of wells without increasing management complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces a computer-implemented field model as an intermediary that automatically manages the complexity of multiple well connections and interactions, eliminating the need for manual tracking and management of well relationships
3Productivity
If manual parameter updates are performed, then operational control is maintained, but production opportunities are lost and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calibration of well models using historical field measurements before optimization, ensuring that parameter updates are based on accurate models that predict actual well behavior, thereby preventing lost production opportunities
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous automated monitoring and optimization that maintains constant improvement of well performance without interruption, ensuring that production optimization occurs continuously rather than through intermittent manual updates
Data Source
AI summary
A closed-loop automation tool models individual wells in a field and connections between the wells in the field. Field measurements are used to validate and calibrate the models. The tool updates values of operation parameters of the wells, such as gas lift gas rate for gas lift wells and electrical submersible pump frequency for electrical submersible pump wells. The updated values are used to increase the efficiency of the wells and increase production with minimum human intervention.