Intelligent-Fields Management at Woodside: Using Off-the-Shelf Technology

Abstract

This article, written by Senior Technology Editor Dennis Denney, contains highlights of paper SPE 116519, "Intelligent-Fields Management at Woodside: A Low-Cost Step Improvement in Field Management Using Off-the-Shelf Technology," by Bruce James, SPE, Kevin A. Kerr, Stephanie Lim, SPE, Ed Lewandowski, SPE, Craig Knight, SPE, and Richard Bell, SPE, Woodside Energy, prepared for the 2008 SPE Asia Pacific Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition, Perth, Australia, 20-22 October. The paper has not been peer reviewed. By use of improved integration, data efficiency, and more-informed decision making, Woodside's intelligent-fields-management (IFM) system has improved the way its Cossack/Wanaea/Lambert/Hermes (CWLH) fields are managed. The greatest value was in improved integration of data and work practices and in longer-term reservoir management. Introduction The overall goal was to improve management of oil and gas fields through better integration of workflows and data, with an emphasis on use of real-time production data and downhole-flow control. This review focused on improved integration of work processes and information. Common applications include production optimization, allocation, and surveillance by use of data-driven neural networks. This case study describes how Woodside's IFM program was implemented and discusses accomplishments in a 12-month period at relatively low cost starting with little pre-existing knowledge. Initially, the current IFM program focused on near-term management issues, such as well-test deferral and daily optimization of the CWLH fields. The system is proceeding on two other oil fields, and efforts are under way to expand the program to gas fields and to other parts of the life cycle, such as reservoir management. CWLH Fields The CWLH oil fields are offshore Western Australia, 125 to 145 km northwest of Karratha (Fig. 1). The Lambert and Hermes fields are 15 km north of the Wanaea and Cossack fields. The fields lie on the inner continental shelf in water depths of 75 to 135 m. The fields are produced through the Cossack Pioneer floating production, storage, and offtake facility through a subsea system of 11 wells tied back by flowlines. Production from the Wanaea and Cossack fields began in November 1995. The Hermes field came on stream in October 1997, and the Lambert field began production in September 1999. Well testing is conducted by diverting individual wells into the dedicated test separator. High recovery is the result of high reservoir permeabilities, excellent reservoir continuity, and a strong aquifer drive. The produced-fluid gravity ranges from 47 to 48°API, viscosity ranges from 0.17 to 0.5 cp, and gas/oil ratio (GOR) ranges from 140 to 1,300 scf/STB. All four fields are undersaturated.