Page 31 - Intelligent Digital Oil And Gas Fields

12 Intelligent Digital Oil and Gas Fields

higher) may be fully automated with many sensors. Below is a description of
the four levels in Fig. 1.5.
Manual process level: This is the initial reference point, which assumes a
fully manual process. The data are not being acquired in real time. Basic sur-
face sensors [pressure (P), temperature (T), and volume (V)] are used, and
readings are recorded and annotated by people when they visit the operation
site. Production well tests are conducted periodically, on demand. The data
are exchanged between different disciplines by email or in a repository of
shared folders. The engineering workflows are performed manually by each
discipline (in silos, no integration). Monitoring is performed monthly and
diagnostic and optimization is performed randomly (2–3 times a year).
Communication is by phone, email, and meetings. Asset team collaboration
is low.
Automation level: The real-time data is gathered only from basic surface
sensors (P, T), and the information is gathered using wireless technology.
Production well tests are taken monthly or on demand. Data are centralized
in a SCADA/historian storage center using industry-standard protocols.
Some engineering workflows are automated. Monitoring is performed
daily, while diagnostic and optimization processes can be performed
monthly. Team discussions of production issues are conducted in meetings
and situation rooms. Collaboration starts to improve.
RTOC level: Most surface locations in a field have real-time sensors,
including flow meters. For wells without flow meters, virtual metering is
used for the entire field that can provide production data for individual
wells. Data are sent using wireless or WiMAX technologies (to support
high-volume data traffic). The data are centralized in the SCADA/historian
storage center using the industry standard protocols. Most engineering
workflows are automated, with advanced algorithms to provide alarms
and alerts. Monitoring is performed in real time, while diagnostic and opti-
mization can be performed weekly or monthly. The operation includes a
dedicated real-time operations center, with dedicated staff. Collaboration
is significant but not optimal. Communication with field operations staff
is via cell phone and by texting.
DOF level: The operations is exactly the same as an RTOC; however,
most engineering workflows are intelligent and with predictive capability
to generate advice and guidance. Monitoring is performed in real time with
exception-based surveillance, while diagnostic and optimization could be
performed daily with an advisory system to prevent production downtime.
There is a dedicated collaboration working environment (CWE) with