Using Integrated Production Modeling (IPM) as an Optimization Tool for Field Development Planning and Management

Abstract

Abstract IPM offers a cost effective technique for assessing and optimizing field development concepts, it allows for evaluation of various scenario plays whether they be well pairing, well count, well phasing, subsea layout, pipeline sizing, flow stream scheduling or process configuration to achieve maximum recovery of any particular fluid stream. IPM can also be used as a change management tool during the execution phase of a development project to understand the impact of change on the system. The petroleum experts (PETEX) modeling tool has been employed for the evaluation of the Bonga North deepwater subsea tie-back development, the software enables the integration of flow assurance with subsurface deliverability and the topside constraints (both envisaged and existing) for all considered options. The tieback development was designed as a haulage filler to an existing Bonga FPSO and hence the IPM model was built to provide answers to pertinent development and production concerns such as the best timing for bringing the tie-back development on stream and the impact of the tie-back on the host field production and recovery. This paper describes the structure of the IPM model and its various components, it also highlights some of the benefits and challenges of deploying IPM for field development optimization using the PETEX GAP production modeling tool coupled with an in-house reservoir simulator.