Novel Techniques Yield Savings in Hastings Field Automation

Abstract

Abstract Amoco Production Company operates approximately 425 wells in the Hastings Field and in early 1969, initiated installation of a supervisory control system for the field. By incorporating a unique approach to net oil and gas measurement and use of existing lease equipment, several hundred thousand dollars were saved. Automation equipment includes a central computer, 11 telemetry units, and approximately 3000 data points at fifty sites consisting of tank batteries, salt water disposal stations, central treaters and ACT unit. Changes in the field equipment included the consolidation of 88 tank batteries into 35 sites. As much of the existing lease equipment was used as possible. Treaters were converted to three phase separators by removing the fireboxes and adding nozzles for alarm switches and controls. Capacitance type BS and W sensors and positive displacement meters were installed in the dump system of each vessel. Two phase separators were modified to three phase vessels for well testing. Central treaters were installed at the field-wide ACT unit to treat the oil to pipeline specifications. In order to minimize costs and reduce the amount of field electronics, the net oil and gas flow computer logic was built into the telemetry equipment. The capacitance probe on each vessel provides a current signal proportional to water cut, and the positive proportional to water cut, and the positive displacement meter provides 100 pulses per barrel of fluid. The logic in the telemetry determines net oil from these input data and stores the volumes in electronic accumulators. Gas volumes are determined by scanning pressure and differential-pressure transmitters on a fixed time base and computing the extension internally in the telemetering unit. HISTORY AND AUTOMATION OF HASTINGS FIELD PRIOR TO AUTOMATION PRIOR TO AUTOMATION The Hastings Field Automation Project includes 425 wells on 85 leases covering a 20 square mile area. About half of the wells are flowing and the remaining are on gas lift. The oil is produced from the Frio formation at approximately 6000'. The field has been producing for 35 years and has a remaining life producing for 35 years and has a remaining life in excess of 20 years. Top well allowable in the field is about 150 BOPD subject to market demand. The field is split into two segments, the west having a MER of 60,000 BOPD with a large excess capacity, and the east having a MER of 15,000 BOPD with no excess capacity. Gas is handled by the Hastings Gasoline Plant which recovers NGL and provides the necessary compression facilities. The plant handles about 55 MMCFD.