Computer Assisted Gas Production Operations Offshore the Netherlands

Abstract

Abstract The Nederlandse Aardolie Maatschappij B.V. (NAM) is the operator of some 50 large and small gas and oil fields in the Netherlands, both offshore and on land (the latter of which includes the well-known Groningen gas field). By the end of 1979 NAM's offshore production operations comprised five production platforms producing from four gas fields, into one pipeline to Den Helder onshore. It is expected that by 1986 these will have expanded to 15 platforms in 11 gas fields. It is the intention to have the offshore production operations ‘unattended’, i.e. no regular staff will be on board for supervision and control of routine production operations. Staff will only be located offshore as and when required for specific tasks like well testing, adjustments, maintenance, repairs, etc. In order to enable such ‘unattended’ and ‘remote control’ production operations in a safe and responsible mode, a computer assisted (CAO – Computer Assisted Operations) tele-information/operations system has been selected. This system has been operational since late 1978 – early 1979 when the gas fields came on stream. The CAO system comprises onsite metering, transmission to shore and subsequently data capture and data processing in computer facilities onshore (CAO-computer). As a tele-information/operation tool it provides the operator with full status information on offshore operations and enables him to control process variables Selected production data are sent automatically each 24 hours in a batch mode to another computer system in the Netherlands, for reporting and planning purposes. The paper will highlight the various functions and tasks of the CAO-system and summarise the experience gained so far especially from a user standpoint.