Real-Time Surveillance, Analysis and Control Via Secured Digital Intelligent Technology in Joint Operations – Wafra Field

Abstract

Applying Smart techniques and latest digital intelligent technology in oil field created a new vision of well surveillance. Communication is considered the backbone of any digital oil field project. The challenges faced while establishing field-wide communication from well-site to office. Monitoring and optimization software was rolled out over 900 artificially lifted wells in WAFRA field. The deployment depended upon certain factors such as hardware; including field instrumentation, data communication and integration of multiple data sources.

The deployment of static, dynamic, real-time data integration and remote well control were established via regular meetings and creation of user groups with common interest in daily operations to setup software solution that communicates with existing field level infrastructure located at each sub center. Intelligent setup allowed different teams to access real time data simultaneously, were decisions are taken on fully awareness of well behavior, creating a massive database for further analysis capabilities. The presence of historical, real time data and instant alarm detection in one screen gave the opportunity to track and evaluate well performance based on changes noticed.

Establishing communication involved opening a limited number of ports between field and office with the help of IT. However steady communication took a while to stabilize addressing different factors related to field network and security. Challenges faced included:

• Firewall between field and office.
• Mapping between the down-hole gauges, variable speed drives and remote terminal units.
• Parallel scanning between an existing field level systems.
• Sub center level communication issues.
• Data security.

A data validation effort related to communication was made at one sub center between field instruments and subsequent relay to office. This established a standard that was set over the rest of field. A Management of change (MOC) was setup to address all high level issues related to the communication network. Due to parallel scan, the data transmission to user desktop was restricted to every two hours for most wells. The result of the collaborative effort between different teams build a strong, smart and reliable surveillance system creating a new way for real time analysis and powerful diagnostics engine.

Successfully deployment of the Life of Well Information Software for 900 artificially lifted wells in a partitioned neutral zone between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, allowing all JO-engineers accessing LOWIS form different location (Saudi Arabia Chevron, Kuwait Gulf Oil Company and Admin building camp in Wafra) created a portfolio that enabled the engineers to maximize the performance of artificial lifted wells, adapt to changing well conditions and continuously monitor their assets.