Changing the Status Quo: Cases of Production Restoration in Inactive Offshore Oil Wells

The United Arab Emirates oil and gas reservoirs are continuously intersected with a growing number of horizontal wells and longer drains at varying bottomhole static temperatures. This results in a variety of naturally flowing and more challenging wells where stimulation is required for sustainable flow. Hence it became important to not only rely on plain acid systems for production gain, but to also include more sophisticated acid stimulation systems that can provide improved results in more challenging environments where plain acid may be found lacking. These results were recently achieved via the introduction of single-phase retarded acid (SPRA) as well as viscoelastic diverting acid (VEDA) in inactive wells offshore. The application of SPRA and VEDA was subsequent to extensive laboratory testing including core flow tests, solubility tests, and emulsion tendency testing to the performance of these blends against existing acid recipes such as plain HCl and polymer-based diverting acid. These tests proved that a combination of SPRA and VEDA would allow maximizing lateral coverage in heterogenous reservoirs due to the chemical diversion capabilities from thief zones without imposing further damage that polymer-based diverted acids may cause. The combined SPRA and VEDA would also enhance acid wormhole penetration due to the reduced rate of reaction caused by acid retardation. Such tests were supported with software simulations that provided acid dosage, pumping rate, and pumping method sensitives. Proposing SPRA and VEDA at higher pumping rates enabled the delivery of previously unattainable production influx at sustainable wellhead pressures. In addition, 28% acid content typically used for dolomitic reservoirs was considered unnecessary as 20% retarded acid proved sufficient in such environments. This allowed bullheading treatments, which was previously not possible due to the restriction on pumping 28% acid content across wellheads to avoid causing corrosive damage. Other treatment parameters such as volumes, rates, and acid/diverter sequence and ratio were also adjusted for optimal wormhole penetration across all zones using a fit-for-purpose carbonate matrix acidizing modeling software. The success of SPRA and VEDA was clear in post-treatment evaluation for the cases of previously shut-in wells. These wells were able to produce sustainably at the required tubinghead pressure (production line pressure) after unsuccessful attempts to flow prior to stimulation. The novelty of this paper is the assessment between legacy carbonate stimulation results in UAE using plain HCl acid and polymer-based diverting acid (PDA) and using SPRA and VEDA in shut-in or inactive wells. It also highlights the game-changing solutions that suit the increasing challenges observed in offshore inactive wells including well placement, lithology, bottomhole static temperature, and permeability contrast.

Well Automation Based on Flaring

At a subsurface level, controlling uneven production and early gas breakthrough are big challenges. It is very difficult to achieve the target production while preventing unnecessary flaring from high gas to oil ratio (GOR) wells. To keep the associated gas within surface compression capacity, the High GOR wells are shut in or partially choked by production programmers through a manual work-process, which doesn't always give optimum results. PDO developed a control solution to ensure produced gas always remains within surface compression capacity while ensuring maximum production. The solution achieves this by continuously monitoring flaring and choking the high GOR wells whenever needed. It does this sequentially from highest to lowest GOR wells choking is done to an optimum level by controlling its flow line pressure above certain target. The concept revolves around automating production programmer's task and optimizing it via continuous monitoring and control in DCS, which allows wells to deliver the full potential up to the surface facility constraints with reduced operator intervention. This novel idea is to integrate subsurface and surface facility Optimization via well control. This was implemented in two of the assets in PDO where frequent flaring was identified. Both facilities have limited compression capacity and number of high GOR wells out of several Gas Oil Gravity Drainage (GOGD) producer wells. In order to achieve the goal of "Zero" flaring, the wells are choked in order from highest to lowest GOR, automatically, up to the optimum limit set by either their respective flow line pressures or to defined lower optimum limit, and optimize the production by opening the wells up to its optimum target, when there is no flare. The similar concept is now being replicated in other assets following a LEAN approach.

Enhanced Production with Self-Driven Multi-Phase Pumps

Some wells are either producing intermittently or ceasing against the trunk line pressure due to low flowing wellhead pressure. OLS with MPP provides the flexibility such as boosting pressure from low flowing wellhead pressure well to the existing trunk lines. The MPP has a wider pressure operating envelope to accommodate the less flowing wellhead pressure well in long run. Incremental Oil & gas production will be realized by lowering the FWHP on this well using the OLS. Multi-Phase Pumps solutions have sustained production from marginal and restarted non-producing wells. Production gains are highly dependent on the reservoir and well parameters.

Front-End Integrated Production System Modelling for Production Optimization – Experience from a Niger Delta Field

The M001 project involved the hook-up of 12 wells (17 conduits) which were drilled and completed between year 2000 and 2005 but were closed-in for operational reasons, until year 2019 when the first seven (7) conduits on cluster MX1 were cleaned up successfully. The seven conduits (Well-A, Well-B, Well-C, Well-D, Well-E, Well-F & Well-G) were expected to flow via three 8" bulk lines. Post well open-up and handover to production, significant bulking / backing out effects were observed. An average Flow Line Pressure (FLP) of ∼22 bar was recorded on the flowlines, hence limiting the capacity to bulk the wells, [FLP increases towards Flowing Tubing Head Pressure (FTHP) hence, pushing the well out of the critical flow envelope as FTHP<<1.7FLP]. Due to this challenge, total production from Cluster MX1 was sub-optimal with only five (5) conduits out of seven (7) able to flow due to bulking and backing out effect. The sub-optimal performance from the conduits were investigated using the Integrated Production System Model (IPSM) / PIPESIM models. Four different scenarios were run in the model and the calibrated IPSM model indicated all 7 conduits should flow if there are no surface restrictions. The model identified pressure, mass and rate imbalances in the integrated system and suggested the presence of a restriction at the manifold, causing sub-optimal production from the wells. The model outcome triggered an onsite investigation / troubleshooting from the wellhead to the manifold at the facilities end where an adjustable choke was identified in the ligaments of the manifold. In line with process safety requirements, a risk assessment was carried out and a Management of Change (MOC) raised to remove the adjustable choke at the manifold. Post implementation of the intervention, all the seven (7) conduits produced without any bulking effect. Total production realized from the seven (7) conduits post execution of the recommended action is ca. 9.3 kbopd against 5.2 kbopd pre-intervention. A total of ca. 4.1 kbopd production gain was realized and 10 mln USD proposed for additional bulkline was saved.

Opening injection pressure monitoring using an in-line device does not prevent intraneural injection in an isolated nerve model

BackgroundInjection pressure monitoring using in-line devices is affordable and easy to implement into a regional anesthesia practice. However, solid evidence regarding their performance is lacking. We aimed to evaluate if opening injection pressure (OIP), measured with a disposable in-line pressure monitor, can prevent intraneural (subepineural) injection using 15 pound per square inch (PSI) as the reference safety threshold.MethodsAn isolated nerve model with six tibial and six common peroneal nerves from three unembalmed fresh cadavers was used for this observational study. A mixture of 0.5% ropivacaine with methylene blue was injected intraneurally at a rate of 10 mL/min, to a maximum of 3 mL. OIP was recorded for each injection as well as evidence of intraneural contrast. Injected volume at 15 and 20 PSI was recorded, and when it leaked out the epineurium, if it occurred.ResultsIn all cases, OIP was<15 PSI and intraneural contrast was evident before the safety threshold. The 15–20 PSI mark was attained in 5 of 12 injections (41%), with a median injected volume of 0.9 mL (range 0.4–2.3 mL). Peak pressure of >20 PSI was reached in two injections (at 0.6 mL and 2.7 mL). Contrast leaked out the epineurium in 11 of 12 injections (91%) with a median injected volume of 0.6 mL (range 0.1–1.3 mL).ConclusionsOur results suggest that in-line pressure monitoring may not prevent intraneural injection using an injection pressure of 15 PSI as reference threshold. Due to the preliminary nature of our study, further evidence is needed to demonstrate clinical relevance.

Day-ahead Optimal Scheduling of Regenerative Electric Heating System Considering Load Imbalance

For the regenerative electric heating system, on the premise of ensuring reliable heat supply to users, a day-ahead optimization scheduling method for the regenerative electric heating system considering the load imbalance is proposed. First, users' heating demand under normal working conditions and grid power rationing scenarios are calculated by estimate index method. Then, in order to match the heating demand of users and reduce the load imbalance caused by thermal storage electric heating in the distribution network, comprehensive consideration of grid constraints and the adjustable capacity of regenerative electric heating load, the operating strategy of the thermal storage electric heating system is studied. Reasonable control of heat storage and release in regenerative electric heating can not only reduce the distribution line pressure during heating period, but also maximize the accommodation of low-cost electricity such as surplus renewable energy and improve the economic benefits of the system. Taking the regenerative electric heating system in Chongli area of Zhangjiakou, Hebei Province as an example, the multi-objective optimal scheduling model is simulated and analyzed, and the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed optimal scheduling strategy are verified.

Analysis of the Possibility of Remote Laser Detection of Propane Leaks

Propane is one of the main components of the wide fraction of light hydrocarbons (WLHF). A large volume of WLHF is transported to petrochemical plants via pipelines. Control of pipelines is carried out by means of in-line pressure sensors. However, they are ineffective for detecting low-intensity leaks.To detect low-intensity propane leaks from pipelines, it is promising to use a remote laser gas analyzer installed on an aircraft.The article is devoted to the analysis of the possibilities of remote laser detection of propane leaks.Based on the data on the absorption of propane and atmospheric gases, the wavelengths of 3370 nm (in the maximum absorption of propane) and 3550 nm (in the spectral region where there is no absorption of propane) were chosen as the sounding wavelengths.It was believed that the monitoring of propane leaks is carried out by a lidar installed on the aircraft in a monostatic sensing scheme. The method of differential absorption with scattering from the earth's surface is used.To detect propane leaks, an information parameter was used, which is equal to the ratio of the power recorded by the receiver at wavelengths of 3370 nm and 3550 nm. The value of the information parameter was calculated for different heights of the propane layer on the earth's surface and different concentrations of propane in the layer.Statistical modeling was performed to quantify the effectiveness of remote detection of propane leaks.In the work, the probability of correct detection of a propane leak (detection of a leak when it is in reality) and the probability of false alarms (detection of a leak when it is not in reality) were calculated.The decision to detect propane leaks was made when the value of the information parameter was less than the threshold.The results of mathematical modeling show that for a propane content in the leak of at least 0.17 % (an order of magnitude less than the concentration limit of flame propagation), the problem of remote detection of propane leaks from the pipeline can be solved with a probability of correct detection of more than 0.999 and a probability of false alarms of less than 0.001 with a thickness of the propane layer on the earth's surface of at least 20 cm.

The Microcellular Structure of Injection Molded Thick-Walled Parts as Observed by In-Line Monitoring

The aim of the study was to detect the influence of nitrogen pressure on the rheological properties and structure of PA66 GF30 thick-walled parts, produced by means of microcellular injection molding (MIM), using the MuCell® technology. The process was monitored in-line with pressure and temperature sensors assembled in the original injection mold. The measured data was subsequently used to evaluate rheological properties inside an 8.4 mm depth mold cavity. The analysis of the microcellular structure was related to the monitored in-line pressure and temperature changes during the injection process cycle. A four-times reduction of the maximum filling pressure in the mold cavity for MIM was found. At the same time, the holding pressure was taken over by expanding cells. The gradient effect of the cells distribution and the fiber arrangement in the flow direction were observed. A slight influence of nitrogen pressure on the cells size was found. Cells with a diameter lower than 20 µm dominate in the analyzed cases. An effect of reduction of the average cells size in the function of distance to the gate was observed. The creation of structure gradient and changes of cells dimensions were evaluated by SEM images and confirmed with the micro CT analysis.

An Iterative Run-to-Run Learning Model to Derive Continuous Brachial Pressure Estimates from Arterial and Venous Lines During Dialysis Treatment

Objective: Non-invasive continuous blood pressure monitoring is not yet part of routine practice in renal dialysis units but could be a valuable tool in the detection and prevention of significant variations in patient blood pressure during treatment. Feasibility studies have delivered an initial validation of a method which utilises pressure sensors in the extra-corporeal dialysis circuit, without any direct contact with the person receiving treatment. Our main objective is to further develop this novel methodology from its current early development status to a continuous-time brachial artery pressure estimator.Method: During an in vivo patient feasibility study with concurrent measurement validation by Finapres Nova experimental physiological measurement device, real-time continuous dialysis line pressures, and intermittent occluding arm cuff pressure data were collected over the entire period of (typically 4-hour) dialysis treatments. There was found to be an underlying quasi-linear relationship between arterial line and brachial pressure measurements which supported the development of a mathematical function to describe the relationship between arterial dialysis line pressure and brachial artery BP. However, unmodelled non-linearities, dynamics and time-varying parameters present challenges to the development of an accurate BP estimation system. In this paper, we start to address the problem of physiological parameter time variance by novel application of an iterative learning run-to-run modeling methodology originally developed for process control engineering applications to a parameterised BP model.Results: The iterative run-to-run learning methodology was applied to the real-time data measured during an observational study in 9 patients, supporting subsequent development of an adaptive real-time BP estimator. Tracking of patient BP is analysed for all the subjects in our patient study, supported only by intermittent updates from BP cuff measurements. Conclusion: The methodology and associated technology is shown to be capable of tracking patient BP non-invasively via arterial line pressure measurement during complete 4-hour treatment sessions. A robust and tractable method is demonstrated, and future refinements to the approach are defined.