Implementation Challenges in Automation of Gas Lift Optimization Workflow: A Case Study for Digital Fields Journey

Abstract

The oil and gas industry has evolved and embarked into the new era, it includes digitalization and cognitive computing, cyber-physical systems, and cloud computing or so-called industry revolution 4.0 or IR 4.0. This industry has been experimenting with artificial intelligence on any task that is time-consuming, requires precise results, and minimizes human error. Most of the giant operators have difficulty managing huge amounts of data that stream from the field every second. Thus, having a good workflow or system that automates the process, reliable data set, and the right people mindset is a huge game changer. These three main components are the main ingredient for digital transformation. Nevertheless, transforming the right people mindset is key for this objective to be obtained and sustained for long run. Main operator in Malaysia has urge for going digital as part of their transformation journey. By means of collaboration and pace, any operation process or standard operating procedure (SOP) should be reviewed and align with their transformation objective. Nonetheless, managing gigantic data with diverse types and sources from 43 fields is bizarre. This requires a careful plan that consumes lots of resources and effort. Bringing additional barrels with minimal cost and less effort is the key component of digital field objective. Gas lift optimization workflow is introduced as a workflow that automates the process of optimum gas lift injection rate for maximizing the production using real time data. Gas lifts are being re-distributed across all active producers based on the availability of gas lift supply to identify opportunities to improve production behavior at field level. Consecutively to accomplish this objective, a special project team is established for initiation, planning, assessment, evaluation, development, deployment, implement and lastly suitability of the digital ecosystem. Through this journey, few challenges were encountered especially when most of the fields are matured fields with lack of real time technologies and some still in analog mode. For marginal field to invest on such technologies will cost them enormous budget and not feasible for the long run. The objective of this paper will detail out the challenges raised during the project implementation. Some methodologies and strategies of how to overcome the respected challenges will be described further. This paper should be beneficial to all engineers and technologists, especially main operators that plan to take the challenges for digital transformation.