Digital Energy; From Reservoir to Cash Register - the Convergence of the Oilfield & IT

Abstract

This set of speaker notes introduces the subject, which is the topic of a panel discussion for the 2003 Offshore Key Points from Dr. HendersonThe emerging picture of integrated digital solutions has far reaching opportunities to the EP industry. With a reliable and secure global infrastructure, applications and data can be accessed remotely on hardware sitting in centralized locations, production can be optimized remotely, experts can be deployed and accessed independent of the physical location, and staff productivity gains and cost efficiency realized using real time collaboration. Through real examples including Smart Fields, Production Dashboards, Remote Applications and Data, Knowledge Gateways, Visualization Centers, and Collaboration Networks, the exciting future world will unfold. InfrastructureShell EP has made significant progress to develop a global high capacity, fast, reliable and cost effective IT network. A standard 'locked down' desktop environment has been implemented, allowing access from all locations worldwide to both desktop and sophisticated technical applications. Bandwidth has been increased by an average of 20 times in 2002, with almost all sites now linked by fiber with multiple routes providing resilience. Further extensions to bandwidth are linked to business requirements, following an in-depth review of future applications.

Emerging Technologies and Workflows in Digital Oil Field

“…According to Schroeder and Archer (2003), Digital Energy is Љthe end-to-end connectivity from down-hole in the reservoir to the sales meter, with integration into financial reporting systemsЉ. Mochizuki et al (2004) describes Digital Oil Field as Љa process of measure-calculate-control cycle at a frequency which maintains the system's optimal operating conditions at all times within the time constant constraints of the system, whilst sustainably maximizing production, minimizing CAPEX/OPEX, environmental impact and simultaneously safeguarding the safety of the people involved and the integrity of the associated equipment.Љ ЉThe vision for the Digital Oil Field is one where operators, partners, and service companies seek to take advantage of improved data and knowledge management, enhanced analytical tools, real-time systems, and more efficient business processes.Љ (CERA, 2006) ЉDigital Oil Field is a vision of how the company wants to optimize a particular business process, such as managing operations of a mature field, discovering new reserves, developing an offshore deepwater discovery, or coordinating a joint venture project.Љ (OGJ, 2008) According to Holdaway (2010), ЉDigital Oil Field is a strategy for improving a specific area of an oil company's business by deploying people, technology, and knowledge effectively.Љ Luigi et al (2013) defines DOF as the orchestration of disciplines, data, engineering application and workflow integration tools supported by digital automation, which may involve field instrumentation, telemetry, automation, data management, integrated production models, workflow automation, visualization, collaboration environments and predictive analytics.…”