Real Time Intelligent Alarm and Surveillance System in Heavy Oil Project- North Kuwait Illustrated Through Case Examples

Abstract

Instrumentation of sucker-rod pumping systems in a large scale thermal pilot was an essential requirement for steam-injection projects. The manuscript focuses on the setup of a real-time smart alarming suite, and the benefits realized in terms of identifying surface and downhole equipment issues and wells requiring critical actions. Two levels of alarms have been set after reviewing well performance with well-surveillance and field-development teams using real time data gathered through a SCADA system for each parameter for each well individually. The capability in the real-time smart alarming system to set both warning and critical alarm criteria for minimum and maximum values allowed deeper supervision of abnormal conditions, highlighting assets in need of preventive actions. The pre-configured controller alarms have been integrated with software smart alarms to be available in one screen in real time, to immediately take the necessary actions. The alarm system identified wells with: Surface equipment problems related to load cell and position sensor issuesDown hole equipment issues related to standing and travelling leaksSurface network issues related to flow line pressure increases due to back pressure The presence of such an alarm system prevented major issues that sucker rod pump systems typically experience in terms of high load exerted on the gearbox, high stress applied on rods/sinker bars, and forces applied on surface unit structure. The implementation of such a preventive approach reduced the amount of well trips and downtime, avoiding unwanted incidents, reducing the response action time and unnecessary workover costs Setting limits for essential parameters that are being reviewed in a fixed period helped in identifying wells far from critical zones to be addressed as candidates for further investigation for production/asset optimization. The real-time intelligent alarming and smart notification system is considered the backbone for production optimization and asset management in the oil and gas industry. Achieving such a level of effective surveillance/alarming allowed better asset management, prevented equipment failures, prolonged equipment life time, and reduced unnecessary costs. Successful deployment of the smart field approach in the North Large Scale Thermal Pilot for sucker rod lifted pumps helped in utilizing the performance of the equipment, increased oil production and assured smooth operational activities.

Digital transformation: a review on artificial intelligence techniques in drilling and production applications

“…Abdul-Aziz et al [59] present an intelligent alarm and notification system in real time, implanted in oil wells with mechanical pumping, for surveillance and monitoring of the conditions of the assets and optimization of production.…”

“…A framework based on digital technologies for data analysis, event modeling and, linking heterogeneous data Cheung et al [57] Surveillance and alarm system for preventing and reducing response action in case of issues Abdul-Aziz et al [59] A local integrated data optimizes the organization of three oil fields with 700 wells Jain et al [62] Oil production optimization and performance monitoring Combination of AI techniques (neural networks and fuzzy logic) with fluid dynamic models for improving oil field performance monitoring Alimonti and Falcone [48,49] Smart workflows, prediction, and monitoring digital tools for production forecasting and issues management…”

“…These modern and dynamic production operation techniques increase responsiveness and minimize production losses. Danquigny et al [50], Cheung et al [57], Abdul-Aziz et al [59], and Jain et al [62] present cases of implementing digital oil field smart operations. Danquigny et al [50] show strategies used by Total E&P for implementing integrated digital technologies systems and well performance monitoring for production optimization and costs reduction in wells with gas lift systems, using times series analysis and knowledge discovery in databases.…”

“…Cheung et al [57] present a framework based on digital technologies for data analysis, event modeling, and linking heterogeneous data. Abdul-Aziz et al [59] show a smart field approach with a surveillance and alarm system for reducing response action and production optimization in a heavy oil project. The development of a management system for oil fields operation based on digital transformation tools is also proposed by Jain et al [62] for three oil and gas fields with 700 wells in India.…”