Wellsite Supply Planning Network for Fracturing NPT Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Oil and gas wellsite operations, particularly fracturing operations, are often hindered by inefficient supply chain management, leading to significant non-productive time (NPT), which can be exacerbated by the complexity of interrelated tasks and human planners becoming overwhelmed.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that generate a detailed plan for supply logistics, considering wellsite and supply site inputs, to minimize aggregate NPT by automating decision-making based on historical data and real-time adjustments, allowing for seamless integration of human stewardship.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If complex rigid operational rules are followed to optimize wellsite operations, then operational efficiency is improved, but human planners become overwhelmed by the sheer number of interrelated tasks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an automated planning system that acts as an intermediary between operational rules and human planners. This system processes complex supply chain logistics, equipment maintenance scheduling, and task coordination automatically, freeing human planners from being overwhelmed while maintaining operational efficiency through rule-based automation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical planning processes with an automated computational system. The system uses algorithms to generate detailed work programs, allocate resources, and coordinate tasks across multiple wellsites, substituting human cognitive effort with automated computing power to handle the complexity of interrelated operations
2Reliability
If human planners directly handle all actions to ensure quality execution, then operational control is maintained, but response time to delays and unexpected issues increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service capabilities where the automated planning system monitors operational status, detects delays and issues, and automatically generates corrective actions without human intervention. The system can dynamically reschedule tasks, reallocate resources, and adjust plans in real-time, enabling rapid response to unexpected issues while maintaining quality execution through automated control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates continuous feedback loops where operational data from wellsites is automatically collected, analyzed, and used to adjust planning decisions in real-time. The system monitors task completion status, equipment performance, and supply chain conditions, providing immediate feedback to maintain quality execution while enabling rapid response to changes through automated plan updates
3Ease of operation
If supply chain management is manually coordinated to ensure seamless operations, then operational control is maintained, but non-productive time increases due to supply chain issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by automatically generating detailed supply chain plans in advance, pre-coordinating material deliveries, equipment arrivals, and task sequences. The system forecasts supply requirements, schedules deliveries before they are needed, and prepares corrective actions for potential delays, ensuring seamless operations while minimizing non-productive time through proactive rather than reactive supply chain management
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for operating wellsites utilized supplies from supply sites. For each wellsite, wellsite inputs for wellsite status, wellsite goals, and rate of consumption of supplies to attain the wellsite goals can be provided. For each supply site, supply site inputs for inventory of supplies, logistics of supply chain, and logistics of re-supply can be provided. Based on the inputs, an efficient detailed plan can be generated to include actions to be taken and corresponding times. The detailed plan can be provided as a schedule to permit stewarding or accomplishment of each action at each corresponding time. Also disclosed are non-transitory, computer readable media, computer systems, and systems for implementing the methods.