Hydrocarbon Production Parameter Sequencing Under Operating Constraints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hydrocarbon production management systems face challenges in identifying and implementing the most effective changes to operating parameters to maximize production, as they often lack a systematic approach to selecting and sequencing changes that do not violate operating constraints, leading to suboptimal results.
Innovation Solution
A computing system-based process that selects the change with the greatest estimated positive impact on production, assesses its validity against operating constraints, and iteratively refines the list of proposed changes to implement only valid alterations, thereby optimizing production while minimizing the number of changes made.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the well operator changes multiple operating parameters simultaneously to maximize production, then production increase is achieved, but it becomes difficult to determine which changes are most effective and which violate operating constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the list of proposed operating parameter changes into individual changes, each evaluated separately for its impact on production and compliance with operating constraints. The system assesses each change independently, determining whether it violates any constraints before inclusion in the final sequence, thereby simplifying the management of multiple parameter changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary assessment of each proposed operating parameter change before implementation. The system evaluates each change for constraint compliance and production impact in advance, creating a pre-validated sequence of changes that can be implemented systematically without violating operating constraints.
2Productivity
If the well operator selects operating parameter changes based on experience rather than systematic analysis, then the process is simpler, but the production increase is not maximized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a systematic feedback mechanism that evaluates each proposed operating parameter change based on its estimated impact on production and its compliance with operating constraints. The system provides feedback on which changes are most beneficial and which violate constraints, enabling the well operator to make informed decisions that maximize production increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent systematically evaluates changes in operating parameters by assessing their impact on production and compliance with constraints. The system analyzes multiple parameter changes, ranks them by effectiveness, and identifies the optimal sequence for implementation, replacing experience-based selection with systematic parameter analysis.
3Productivity
If all proposed operating parameter changes are implemented, then maximum production increase is achieved, but the number of changes becomes unmanageably large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by selecting and sequencing only the most beneficial operating parameter changes that comply with operating constraints, rather than implementing all proposed changes. The system identifies a subset of changes that delivers maximum production increase while maintaining manageability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the proposed changes and evaluates each individually, allowing the system to identify and exclude changes that violate operating constraints or provide minimal benefit. This segmentation enables selective implementation of only the most effective changes.
4Productivity
If operating parameter changes are made without assessing constraint compliance, then implementation is faster, but constraint violations occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary assessment of constraint compliance for each proposed operating parameter change before implementation. The system evaluates whether each change violates any operating constraints in advance, creating a pre-validated sequence that can be implemented quickly without violating constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables rapid implementation by pre-assessing and validating the sequence of changes beforehand. Once the systematic assessment is complete, the validated changes can be implemented quickly without needing to re-evaluate constraint compliance during implementation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A process for use in managing a hydrocarbon production system includes: selecting, from among a plurality of changes proposed to operating parameters of the hydrocarbon production system, the proposed change with the greatest estimated positive change in production; assessing whether the selected change violates an operating constraint; based on said assessment, producing a valid change based on at least the selected change or identifying the selected change as an unusable change, iterating the above steps, the iteration excluding the valid change from the plurality of proposed changes; and implementing at least one valid change, the number of implemented valid changes being less than the number of proposed changes.