Dynamic Integrated Model Optimizes Fluid System Startup
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Solution Overview
Problem
The startup time of fluid production and/or injection systems, particularly in complex offshore oil and gas fields, is excessively long due to inefficiencies and unproductive wait times, leading to operational inefficiencies and costly production stoppages.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic integrated model is used to assess and adjust the startup time schedule by integrating a reservoir model with a transient network model, incorporating equipment, field design, and control systems to simulate and optimize startup procedures, identifying potential inefficiencies and providing mitigation strategies based on changing reservoir productivity and facility constraints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional startup procedures are used for complex offshore production systems, then system reliability is maintained through careful sequential operations, but startup time becomes excessively long (5-20+ hours per well)
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-calculating optimal startup sequences, pre-positioning equipment states, and preparing control parameters before actual startup begins. The dynamic integrated model predicts required adjustments in advance, allowing the system to execute pre-planned sequences that reduce actual startup time while maintaining reliability through validated procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static, fixed startup procedures to dynamic, adaptive sequences. The dynamic integrated model continuously adjusts startup parameters based on real-time system state, reservoir conditions, and equipment responses. This allows optimization of each startup event while maintaining safety margins, resolving the contradiction between speed and reliability.
2Productivity
If complex integrated modeling is implemented to optimize startup procedures, then startup time and operational efficiency are improved, but system complexity and computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces a dynamic integrated model as an intermediary layer between reservoir data and production control systems. This model acts as a computational mediator that integrates multiple data sources (reservoir models, network models, equipment specifications) and translates them into optimized startup sequences. The intermediary handles the complexity internally while presenting simplified outputs to operators.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic integrated model serves multiple functions simultaneously: it integrates diverse data sources, performs predictive simulations, optimizes startup sequences, and provides decision support. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate systems into a single unified platform, managing complexity through consolidation rather than proliferation of components.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of modeling effects of operational procedures during startup of a fluid production or injection system at a field includes determining initial conditions of the field at a first time based on field measurements of the field. The method also includes simulating startups of the fluid production or injection system based on the initial conditions. The method further includes determining operational procedures for starting up the fluid production or injection system based on the simulated startups. The method also includes determining whether a startup command has been received. The method further includes sending instructions to startup the fluid production or injection system using the operational procedures when the startup command is received.