Integrated Asset Modelling and Automated Workflows from Pre-Production to Full Field Development Stage for a Giant Green Field West Qurna-2

Abstract

Abstract The West Qurna-2 field is one of the biggest undeveloped oil fields in Iraq. The development of the field is handled by the Iraqi Basra Oil Company and a consortium between LUKOIL and the National Iraqi North Oil Company. The production of the field started in 2014. This paper describes how the integrated asset model (IAM) and automated workflows have been used to support the field's development from first oil to full field development. Along the field's development stages, the IAM system has assisted LUKOIL in its operations. Its availability for first oil allowed refining the assumptions made about the productivity of the wells and reservoir characteristics for issuing realistic production profiles, hence playing a crucial role in achieving the production's targets. Subsequently, the wells have been gradually converted to artificial lift (electrical submersible pumps) and the IAM system has allowed for extension of the natural flowing mode of the wells, optimization of workover operations, short term optimization of the ESP operations and extension of their lifetime. Today, the IAM system allows for mitigating the water handling constraints through tailor-made field-wide optimization algorithms. The latter optimizes not only the field operations through integrated asset planning but also the water production and injection system continuously. Overall, the IAM system has proven to be instrumental for the development and optimisation of West Qurna II. It has allowed to de-risk the initial production, optimize the workovers in the field, enhance the ESP performance and lifetime, optimize the pressure maintenance systems, etc. It has also provided a platform to empower multi-disciplinary teams. The saving figures presented in this paper alone amount to around 7 million dollars in 2015-2016 and it is not unreasonable to ultimately expect total savings of tens of million dollars. Such savings make the implementation of IAM systems very attractive for similar green field operations. LUKOIL has made critical choices for ensuring the success of the initiative, such as allowing for customization and flexibility of its IAM system, putting the necessary efforts in developing and maintaining accurate hydraulic models and starting simple and keeping focusing on the continuous and organic development and improvement of its IAM system. This paper demonstrates how IAM systems can be practically used for optimization activities in a green field, and the associated direct benefits. It also details how to maintain such systems continuously up to date for a field in development phase, where the layout is continuously changing. A series of best practices are identified for ensuring successful embedment of these advanced approaches within the day-to-day operations.