Enhancing Asset Design, Performance and Operation Management through Reservoir-Production-Processing Facility Integrated Modeling

Asset steady state modelling is commonly done by different teams of engineers working independently on asset subsystem design and asset operation management. Design criteria shared between teams are based on a limited set of pre-defined discrete assumptions for each individual subsystem. Currently, the commonly used approach fails to account for subsystem inter-dependencies, and does not enable assessment of changing conditions across the asset lifecycle. This gap often results in sub-optimal facilities design for the asset and cost overruns and/ or lost production. Overall asset management decision-making should be supported with consistent information utilized across the whole enterprise. Integrated modeling approach helps to make informed decisions by considering the combined effect of reservoir uncertainties, well placement, surface network, and process facility on overall asset design, production and management. This paper describes how a full asset integrated model is built and utilized as an effective decision support tool to help optimize overall asset design and operational performance management.

A full asset integrated model is built using typical industry known commercial simulator packages for each individual subsystem and field conditions, the integrated model includes steady state models for Reservoirs, Wells, Production and Injection Network and Processing Facilities. A platform which orchestrates data connectivity and integration while allowing subsystem applications to maintain their dependency in thermodynamic properties and equation of state solving is utilized for transferring data and controlling variables within the subsystems. Data from a major capital project at early stages of development was utilized to pilot test the technique and stress testing of consistency of forecast production across the subsystems, whole asset impact due to a change in an individual subsystem such as reservoir uncertainties, well placement and scheduling, surface network operating conditions, and individual subsystem constraints.

The integrated multi-field network model provided realistic optimal operating conditions and long-term production forecasts of oil production, sales gas and water injection requirements by incorporating the physics at appropriate levels to ensure higher accuracies than discrete models.

Integrated asset modelling utilizes information consistently across the whole asset and includes subsystem interdependencies impact on overall asset steady state operating conditions. Integrated modelling allows independent teams of facilities engineers and reservoir engineers to collaborate holistically while maintaining specific experts needs and resources.

The integrated model technique offers a novel and versatile capability of evaluating diverse operational scenarios to find optimal settings for short-term and the long-term asset production needs.