Well Lockout Automation via Centralized Sequencing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Coordination between different operator groups in well systems is inefficient, leading to bottlenecks and operational inefficiencies due to inappropriate equipment operation states and lack of synchronization in hydraulic fracturing and fluid production operations.
Innovation Solution
A control sub-system that includes a central controller communicatively coupled to operator devices, enabling coordination of equipment states through request and confirmation processes, ensuring that operations are performed in the correct sequence and preventing unauthorized changes until completion confirmation is received, and automating control actions to reduce operator error.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple operator groups manually coordinate equipment operations without a centralized control system, then each operator can independently control equipment, but operational bottlenecks occur due to lack of synchronization and proper sequencing between hydraulic fracturing and fluid production operations
Solution Approach 1:
A centralized control system acts as an intermediary between multiple operator groups, receiving operation requests from different operators and coordinating their execution. The system manages equipment state transitions by evaluating requests against predefined sequences and conditions, ensuring proper coordination between hydraulic fracturing and fluid production operations without requiring direct manual communication between operators.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system pre-defines proper operation sequences and conditions for equipment state transitions. Before allowing an operation to proceed, the system checks whether preceding operations have been completed and whether the current equipment state permits the requested transition. This preliminary verification prevents out-of-sequence operations and reduces coordination delays.
2Ease of operation
If operators can directly change equipment states without centralized coordination, then operational flexibility is maintained, but equipment misoperation occurs due to inappropriate equipment operation states and lack of synchronization
Solution Approach 1:
The centralized control system continuously monitors equipment states and provides feedback to operators about which operations are currently permitted. The system evaluates each operation request against the current equipment state and predefined sequences, accepting or rejecting requests accordingly. This feedback mechanism maintains operator autonomy while ensuring equipment operation correctness by preventing inappropriate state transitions.
3Productivity
If a centralized control system coordinates all equipment operations, then operational sequencing is improved and coordination bottlenecks are reduced, but system complexity increases due to additional control infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The centralized control system is designed to handle multiple types of operation requests from different operator groups through a unified interface. The same control logic and evaluation mechanisms manage both hydraulic fracturing operations and fluid production operations, reducing the need for separate control systems for each operation type and mitigating complexity increases.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for coordinating performance of operations in a well system including receiving, using a central controller, a request to perform a next operation associated with a first operator that includes changing well system equipment from a current equipment state to a target equipment state from a first operator device, determining, using the central controller, whether completion confirmation of a preceding operation associated with a second operator has been received from a second operator device, in response to determining that the completion confirmation of the preceding operation associated with the second operator has not been received, blocking, using the central controller, the first operator from performing the next operation from the first operator device, and in response to determining that the completion confirmation of the preceding operation associated with the second operation has been received, permitting, using the central controller, performance of the next operation associated with the first operator.