Offshore Smart Reservoir Management with Automated Well Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional reservoir management requires on-site personnel for real-time monitoring and control, increasing production costs and limiting operations during adverse weather conditions, and lacks automated corrective actions for high gas oil ratio (GOR) or high water cut (WC) wells.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented system with measurement tools, control valves, and command centers that automatically monitor and control reservoir performance, transmitting instructions to adjust control valves based on predefined thresholds, ensuring field production targets are met.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If on-site personnel are used for real-time monitoring and control, then reservoir performance can be monitored and controlled, but production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service through automated monitoring and control where the reservoir management system independently detects performance parameters, analyzes data against engineering limits, and executes corrective actions without human intervention. Measurement tools continuously monitor reservoir parameters, the system automatically determines when constraints exceed limits, and control valves are automatically adjusted based on pre-programmed reservoir engineering guidelines.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of on-site personnel with an automated electronic control system. Human operators are substituted by a computer-implemented system that uses measurement tools for data collection, processors for analysis, and automated control valves for execution, transforming manual mechanical operations into an electronic automation system.
2Ease of operation
If on-site personnel are deployed for monitoring, then real-time control is possible, but operations are limited during adverse weather conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The automated system operates independently of weather conditions, with measurement tools continuously collecting data and the control system automatically executing corrective actions. The system serves itself by monitoring reservoir parameters and adjusting control valves without requiring human presence, enabling operations to continue during adverse weather when service boats cannot approach jackets.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated control system acts as an intermediary between measurement tools and control valves, eliminating the need for human intermediaries (service personnel) to physically travel to offshore locations. The system transmits control instructions electronically through the network, allowing operations to proceed regardless of weather conditions that would prevent human access.
3Loss of information
If conventional monitoring systems are used, then basic data collection is possible, but automated corrective actions for high GOR or WC wells are not implemented
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring reservoir parameters through measurement tools, comparing actual performance against pre-determined engineering limits and thresholds, and automatically executing corrective actions when constraints exceed limits. The system provides closed-loop control where the outcome of automated valve adjustments is continuously monitored to ensure high GOR and WC constraints are maintained within acceptable ranges.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting high GOR or water cut conditions, determining the need for corrective action, and executing valve adjustments without human intervention. The automated system independently manages the complete workflow from data collection through corrective action implementation, eliminating the need for manual analysis and intervention.
4Ease of operation
If service boats are used to approach jackets for monitoring, then on-site inspection can be performed, but operations are disrupted by rough sea weather conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system eliminates the need for service boats by enabling self-service monitoring where measurement tools on the jackets continuously collect data and the automated control system executes corrections independently. The system monitors and controls reservoir parameters without requiring external human intervention, making operations immune to rough sea conditions that prevent boat access.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical transportation system (service boats) with an electronic automation system. Physical travel to jackets by service personnel is substituted by electronic data transmission through the network, allowing monitoring and control to continue uninterrupted during adverse weather when maritime transport is impossible.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods include a computer-implemented system. Measurement tools provide real-time measurements for wells and reservoir performance. Control valves are automatically controlled in response to events occurring in the wells. A network provide s communications between the measurement tools, the control valves, and command centers. The command centers provide information to reservoir and production engineers monitoring the group of wells. A technical reservoir and production engineering domain monitors performance indicators for the reservoir and group of wells for events requiring corrective action to be taken. The system includes processors and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium including programming instructions to: determine that at least one operating constraint for the reservoir and group of wells exceeds pre-determined reservoir engineering limits by a pre-determined threshold; automatically transmit instructions for performing an action identified by a Level 1 or 2 command center; and automatically change settings in the control valves.