Integrating Surface and Subsurface Models in an Automated Workflow Process for Asset Performance Analysis in Burgan Digital Oilfield –SEK

Abstract

Oil and gas companies face major challenges for meeting increased energy demands around the world. There is a sharp decline in production from existing fields and at the same time, discovery of large new fields has become increasingly difficult. As a result, oil and gas operators around the world are implementing various strategies to find ways of increasing recovery from existing reservoirs With ultimate average recovery factor for oilfields on a worldwide basis of about 35%, companies are trying to improve recoveries through new technology initiatives such as integrated digital oil field approaches, which integrate reservoir and production system together for continuous monitoring of asset performance and production; optimization, and control of wells and fields. Comprehensive workflows and collaboration environments are key elements of any successful digital oil field operation. They integrate a multitude of data sources and applications, capture the knowledge of production processes, and enable improved decisions. These workflows help overcome the complexity of today’s asset management operations. Kuwait Oil Company implemented such initiatives in one of its assets in Burgan oilfield which involved instrumentation at well site, a SCADA system for data acquisition and control, integrated asset management workflows together with state-of the art collaboration center enabling faster diagnostics for well and facility performance. The integration of surface and subsurface models in an automated workflow process allows quick review of well health and assists in planning for short- and long-term production optimization actions.