Well Performance Monitoring Using Management by Exception Rules and Alerts

Abstract

Wells in Tengiz and Korolev oil fields are equipped with data transmitting devices, which provide real-time process data used by Production engineers for continuous production monitoring and identification of unusual process conditions. Monitoring and analysis of each well performance becomes a tedious process with growing well inventory. Up until recently, real-time data from wellsite transmitters was not used to its full potential to simplify and automate well performance analysis. To improve the quality of daily well performance monitoring and detection of abnormal process conditions, sets of data rules have been developed to create alerts and screens with real-time process data managed by exception. These alerts and screens help to identify malfunctioning equipment and changes in operating conditions. Timely evaluation of critical conditions helps to proactively prepare a mitigation plan and prevent unscheduled well shutdowns. Data management by exception allows automatic filtering of big data sets and draws attention only to wells with deviations from the stable operating regime. Detailed review of highlighted well conditions helps to differentiate between malfunctioning equipment and actual changes in operating conditions. Fast identification of the issues allows taking preventative actions to maintain process stability of each producing well. Implementation of these tools significantly reduced number of unscheduled well shutdowns due to leaks in Surface Controlled Subsurface Safety Valve (SCSSV) hydraulic system and pneumatic valves control system. The screens also help to identify malfunctioning equipment including pressure and temperature gauges, pressure downhole gauges (PDHGs) and multiphase flow meters (MPFMs), as well as flow assurance issues such as hydrate formation. Developed data rules can be useful for any field equipped with data transmitting devices. This paper aims to share the best practices of using real-time operational data analytics to identify malfunctioning equipment, changing operating conditions and other process related issues to maintain stable production process.