INTRODUCTION

Data is key in the oil industry, the companies have huge volumes of field data,
however, these volumes increase rapidly with the real time data acquisition. Data
helps to better understand and make decisions faster to optimize production and
manage the field. On the other hand, it takes a lot of time to gather and interpret
the data, resulting in less time to respond and execute timely actions. Data
collection is time consuming, which should be used in critical activities to improve
operations and effectively manage assets. For that reason, visual solutions are
becoming progressively significant for asset management. These tools assimilate
huge volumes of data and are an easy way to analyze the results for production
systems that change continuously.

With this objective, to allow integrated production operations, a specialized

platform must be designed to allow the management of assets, planning and the
execution of better decisions for production operations at important moments and,
in this way, take full advantage of the potential of the assets.

The understanding of a digital asset is to analyze, monitor and manage in real time
for optimal control of the field. Real time asset management tool is an excellent
possibility for the industry, by converting one of its main competencies, the
management of assets, in order to establish significant advantages and generate
growth. The goal is an evolution in the acquisition of data, communication,
interpretation, and diagnosis of the asset to concentrate on the increase of value
and cost reduction with the extra interest of enhancing operational reliability. This
area has begun to have an important development in recent years.
CRITICAL DISCUSSION

In order to optimise offshore assets in North Sea and enable its field and facility
management, the development of Integrated Asset Management (IAM) is required.

The starting point is the reservoir simulation model, which integrates the geological
model, recovery mechanisms, flow model, fluid and rock properties, and
production data. Subsequently, the integrated asset modelling (IAMod) in
response to the uncertainty quantification, pipeline networks, process and surface
facilities and economics models, produces multiple model realizations. Finally,
within the framework of the stochastic scenario, the IAM is generated with the
integration of information, economy, plans, risk assessment and decision analysis
figure 1 (Carvajal, Maucec and Cullick 2018).

Figure 1 Holistic concept of integrated asset management (IAM) (Carvajal,

Maucec and Cullick 2018).

IAM is an excellent means to model hydrocarbons assets with the aim of optimizing
production and improving the management of field and facilities. Currently, recent
optimization processes and software have been created and implemented in assets
around the world.

The novel evolution of optimization methods is separated into deterministic and

heuristic approaches. According to Carvajal Maucec and Cullick (2018)
“deterministic approaches take advantage of the analytical properties of the
problem and create a series of points that converge into a global optimal solution.
Heuristic approaches (probabilistic or stochastic) are more flexible and efficient,
however, tend to be more computationally demanding”.

In recent years, hydrocarbon industry has generated the development and

implementation of stochastic algorithms based on reservoir characterization and
simulation workflows. Integrating production and reservoir models, IAM workflows
represent an integral model in a unique platform that enables the concurrent
simulation of the whole hydrocarbon system and forecasts the performance of the
asset for management purposes. The novel IAM workflows are classified into
different classes differentiated by the way in that surface systems inform with the
subsurface modelling applications based on automation methods, degree of user
interactivity and the sorts of application coupling (Carvajal, Maucec and Cullick
2018).

• Flow table coupling.

• Static coupling.
• Dynamic coupling (loose coupling).
• Tight iterative coupling

Figure 2 AIM workflow with dynamic coupling (Carvajal, Maucec and Cullick
2018).
Tight iterative coupling is a great advance in AIM workflows (figure 3), due to in
the green rectangle integrates perfectly the components of data aggregation,
visualization and work process controller figure 3.

Figure 3 IAM workflow with tight iterative coupling (Carvajal, Maucec and Cullick
2018).

Carvajal, Maucec and Cullick (2018) suggest that by implementing this type of IAM
workflow, it generates:

• Better efficiency of integration, by streamlining processes in multiple

disciplines.
• More realistic production is generated.
• Serves as a building block for efficient, robust and flexible surface
subsurface integration for subsequent production optimization workflows.
• The development of "institutionalized" and "standardized" automated
workflows is facilitated.
• Works as a platform where the models can be executed and stored in a
database for later use
As it is well known, the main characteristics of mature fields are: a smooth and
constant decline, a large number of low production wells, an intense need of
artificial lift systems (ALS), the use of secondary and enhanced oil recovery
practices (EOR), high water cuts, and integrity and surface facilities problems.
Nevertheless, each element of these fields is an outstanding chance for
optimization (Hirschfeldt, Bertomeu and Lobato-Barradas 2017).

Agarwal, Purwar and Bravo (2014) describe a procedure for real time analysis of
the performance of ESP and gas lift wells, and then accelerated and enhanced the
diagnosis and decision making. Their objective was to formulate an automated
workflow to enable a smart and complete real-time monitoring and diagnosis of
these ALS. The system monitors and models the status of pumps, valves, and wells
to allow engineers to verify and diagnose them, thus gradually improving the
economic return of the field.

The model transforms sensor data into value data like temperature, pressure, flow
rates, and then these data are transported to a spreadsheet or modelling software
where the flow from the reservoir to the wellhead is simulated, considering the
effect of the ESP or gas lift. Working in real time, the corroborated sensor data are
incorporated into the spreadsheet and outcomes are assigned to the system.
Through a web interface, visualization tools are used to present the results and
get a more detailed and processed analysis for better decision making. These web
interfaces supply ways to act faster to changes in production operations and set
rates to optimize production. Operators will have the opportunity to continuously
monitor production without the need to be present at the production site and take
decisions to solve or prevent problems and improve production efficiency (Agarwal,
Purwar and Bravo 2014).

The model is shown in figure 4 and its primary functions are the following:
• Read input parameters.
• Perform a well model simulation with the commercial or empirical model,
based on nodal analysis.
• Whit the results calculate performance curves and operating points
• Update the database with new results.
(Agarwal, Purwar and Bravo 2014).
Figure 4 Automated approach for Nodal analysis (Agarwal, Purwar and Bravo
2014).

The main problem when using ALS is to recognize and manage the causes that
generate a malfunction of these systems at the right time. With the previous
approach, it is proposed to work with a method for real-time analysis of the
operation of all types of ALS that operate in complex and high-frequency data
environments, improving their interpretation and decision-making.

The hydrocarbon production is usually accompanied by flow assurance issues:

asphaltenes, scale, wax, hydrates, emulsions, sand and corrosion. To control these
issues and their risks, there are a diversity of chemical products.

A typical but not effective strategy, since it generates an increase in expenses, is

the overdose of chemical products in the system to control the flow assurance
issues. The increase in these operating expenses could reduce the economic life of
the asset, as a result, it is suggested to implement a program for the management
and optimization of these chemical products (Osorio, Chipuk and Anderson 2017).

Hydrocarbons, water, and rock are usually not chemically inert under the
hydrocarbon production conditions. Their mutual interactions, due in large part to
changes in pressure and temperature, generate the accumulation of solids within
the production system and degradation of the pipes. For that reason it is necessary
to monitor these parameters in real time within the wells using the fiber optic
technology.

Distributed temperature sensing (DTS) pulsates a light that is transmitted through

an optical fiber deployed in the wellbore, and its analysis is directly related with
the temperature. A continuous measurement of the temperature along the
wellbore is produced by the fiber which is the sensing element (Sheydayev et al.
2018).

Some applications of DTS are:

• Build forward models of temperature
• Well interactions
o DTS trace history (heating/cooling as the denotation of interaction
between wells).
o Changes in production-zone split as an indication of the impact of
adjacent wells.
• Production-zone allocation
• Well integrity
o Identification of downhole leaks
o Identification of flow behind casing.
• Sand management
o Complementing DAS for identification of sand entry point.
• Other aspects of well performance
o Cross flow identification during shut-in.
o Detection of water and gas breakthrough

(Sheydayev et al. 2018)

Distributed Acoustic Detection (DAS) is an arise technology in the hydrocarbon

industry, coming from the defence industry, which has the capacity to transform
the way to secure pipelines, obtain seismic data, and optimize wells (In 't Panhuis
et al. 2014).
DAS is an acoustic detection system based on fiber optic that uses the backscatter
component of the light transmitted into an optical fiber to detect dynamic
deformations, perturbations along the entire length of the fiber. DAS technology
has been used to monitor hydraulic fracturing, for single-phase flow profiling
applications, vertical seismic profiling, monitor interzonal inflow from the reservoir,
monitor ALS, and in recent years it has also been tested for sand detection.
(Sheydayev et al. 2018).

Normally, sensing with fiber optic technology in the form of DTS or DAS, only
requires an interrogator situated at surface and optic fiber (FO) sensing cable
located inside the well, which could be cemented outside the casing, clamped to
the outside of the tubing, or even deployed temporarily using a flexible fiber rod,
figure 5 (In 't Panhuis et al. 2014).

Figure 5 Different fiber optic installation methods (Sanni et al. 2018).

For secure decision making and efficient reservoir management, the novel wellbore
monitoring applying fiber optic "DTS and DAS" enhance the information acquired
across the whole reservoir simultaneously, being able to analyse and act in real
time to the dynamic environment during the injection or production operations
(Sanni et al. 2018).
With the combination of the technologies described above, it is proposed to
develop a real time asset management tool to enable production optimisation, field
and facility management of the offshore assets in UK North Sea.

The framework for integrating the information and the diverse technologies to
develop the real time asset management model could be determined as the set of
blocks, methods, and workflows since the diagnosis of wells and reservoirs, the
flow assurance strategy until the generation of opportunities and the control
execution.

Real-time asset management is made up not only of the simulation technologies

described and analysed above, but also includes the ability to provide
comprehensive production monitoring to avoid downtime and optimize operations,
as well as multidisciplinary processes necessary for decision making.

Real-time data and relational data should be integrated perfectly, and rules and
alarms will be placed according to the essential variables to achieve effective
monitoring abilities in real time. In the case of the ALS, the model will be able to
use the ALS data such as frequency, injection pressure, gas elevation,
temperature, pump intake pressure, etc. rapidly and without problems to allow the
worker analyse and fully realize the behaviour of the well, considering the provision
of any specific suggestion based on specifically defined behaviours. Both the rules
analysis levels and the levels of intelligent alerts generated by experts, which
contemplate the correct practices of the ALS, will be applied to guarantee a
proactive management of the artificial lift (Agarwal, Purwar and Bravo 2014).

The real-time asset model also includes a program for the management and
optimization of chemical treatments to prevent flow assurance problems while
increasing well productivity and reducing expenses. The challenges to achieve
these objectives involve variation in well conditions, types of completion, fluid
composition and the number of wells (Awny and Babaniyazov 2016).
Consequently, the creation of technologies and the improvement in the techniques
for well and reservoir diagnostics, as well as the remediation to restore production,
have a great value in the mature assets life.
Finally, the framework of the real time asset management model should generate
a straightforward and simple to manage interface to establish and execute a
diversity of workflows since the analysis and interpretation of data to the
optimization of the production and management of facilities.

Although this is only the first step in a strategy of automation of production

workflow. The capability to analyse flow measurements and interpret various
operational data in real time to continuously diagnose and optimize assets
performance is a great advance

The code to convert these challenges into possibilities is to work in an

organizational matrix and effective operations that generate value. Hirschfeldt and
Bertomeu (2017) the basis for creating value is supported by People, Process and
Technology, figure 6.

Figure 6 Cinergy between People, Technology and Processes (Hirschfeldt,

Bertomeu and Lobato-Barradas 2017).

In order to develop the IAM workflow to optimize artificial lift systems and the
program for the management of chemical products in offshore assets in UK. The
field comprises mature and highly depleted reservoirs, aged platforms and pipeline
networks. Moreover, the extensive use of ALS and enhanced oil recovery (EOR) in
different areas of the reservoir, including water injection wells and solids deposition
problems.
The IAM to be implemented will combine industry-specific surface network and
reservoir simulation applications as the result of an explicit network equilibrium
algorithm that has the ability to solve optimization issues with a huge number of
wells, furthermore the IAM contains a workflow process controller that integrates
several coupling schemes, with the aim of generating an external network with
reservoir simulations as conditions change (Carvajal, Maucec and Cullick 2018).

The IAM workflow will be implemented and validated in different scenarios

according to the development of opportunities, which establishes the optimization
of the production, the optimal performance of the ALS and the necessary and
dosed injection of chemicals to prevent solid deposition. It is required to maintain
a slight decline in production.

Establish a profitable an optimized growth scheme is the main goal of an IAM

procedure, which is accomplished by integrating the production profiles and
keeping in mind the system´s challenges and change in operating requirements.
Similarly, it measures and decreases the information uncertainty in base of
formulated production for facilities preservation and later updates and
substitutions. Lately, the IAM supplies a scenario for efficient and appropriate
production optimization in many development scenarios (Carvajal, Maucec and
Cullick 2018).

The natural flow system of a well is affected by modifying the bottom hole pressure
(BHP) and production rate with the implementation of the ALS. The IAM approach
will implement the two primary ways of analysing these systems, the surface
methods that are responsible for the casing head pressure, the wellhead pressure
(WHP), the volume of injected and produced fluids, the injection pressure, etc. On
the other hand, subsurface methods are responsible for the flow rate analysis, well
flowing bottom hole pressure (Pwf) and temperature.

The tool to evaluate the performance of ALS is the nodal analysis, its principles are
used to simulate the multiphase flow from the reservoir to the wellhead. This tool
is described as the approach of a system for the optimization of oil wells, also fully
evaluates a production system. It is possible to optimize each component of this
system to achieve the desired production in the most economical way, figure 7
(Lake 2007).

Figure 7. Production system and associated pressure losses (Lake 2007).

The IAM workflow will constantly monitor the operating conditions of the ALS to
keep them at an optimum performance, the real parameters are compared with
those under ideal conditions, making possible the identification of deviations from
the optimal conditions, being able to detect the operative problems and take
corrective decisions. The diagnosis procedure is activated automatically at the
indicated time in a pre-established frequency base. The process is controlled
through an automatic interaction between the integration software application and
modelling application. The action time is very short and the results can be viewed
and analysed in the workflow portal (Agarwal, Purwar and Bravo 2014).

The workflow of the ALS (figure 8) carries out the monitoring and diagnosis
following this procedure:

• Consolidated parameters: The electrical and volumetric data (water cut, gas
rate, liquid rate) are generated in a timely manner.
• Alarm system: If the upper or lower limits are exceeded, this system will
send a notification. The configuration can be manual or automated.
 • Automated modelling capacity: in reference to the consolidated parameters
(rates, temperature, pressure).
• Solution of problems: the diagnostic system finds an opportunity of
malfunction of the ALS in reference to the measured and modelled data.
• Identification of production opportunities: According to the performance
curve of the artificial lift systems, the working group can select the
appropriate point of operation.
• Automated visual workspace: Improves the diagnostic analysis procedure
of well production.

(Agarwal, Purwar and Bravo 2014).

Figure 8 ALS workflow (Agarwal, Purwar and Bravo 2014).

The procedure of diagnosis and modelling of the workflow with the corresponding
production data, it modernizes the nodal analysis model in order to calculate and
generate the pressure profiles for a better assimilation of the operational problems
that influence the well.

IAM includes a workflow process that emits alarms for wells with possible solids
deposition problems, using the temperature trends and the acoustic of the wells,
the IAM is able to determine the depths where the solids could be accumulated.

Understanding the behaviour of the temperature in the producing wells can help
to determine the possibility of identifying solid deposits in the well using the
Distributed Temperature Sensor (DTS). The monitoring of the temperature of the
fluid produced helps prevent the solids deposition, due to the difference of thermal
properties of hydrocarbons and water, figure 9 (Almutairi and Davies 2008).

During the production of a well, the heat of the produced fluid is transferred to the
walls of the production tubing, later the heat on the outer wall of the tubing
dissipates to the surroundings. When solids are deposited in the well, the heat of
the oil is transferred first to the solids layer that works as insulation material,
reducing the transfer of heat to the outer wall. The critical deposition temperature
of the paraffinic components in the oil generates the precipitation of solids.
Consequently, the main variables are temperature and oil composition (Guzman
2012).

Figure 9. Various reservoir and completion elements contributing to the DST

readings (Sheydayev et al. 2018).

As stated before, one of the main advantages of fiber optics is that the same fiber
can be used for both DAS and DTS. This technology presents a new Digital Signal
Processing (DSP) scheme that recognizes sand input signals to production in real
time, presents a measure of the entry of sand into the areas of the well during
production (Sadigov, Thiruvenkatanathan and Sheydayev 2017).

Crudes contain many dissolved components that can be precipitated and deposited
under the right thermodynamic conditions. As the hydrocarbons move from the
reservoir to the surface, the temperature and pressure change triggering certain
dissolved components to precipitate.
Davudov et al. (208) suggest that precipitation is known as the process when solids
are transformed into a phase separate from the oil, where they remain suspended
in the liquid phase. The precipitated solids are grouped into larger particles called
flocs. Then, these flocs will adhere and accumulate on surfaces, a process known
as solids deposition.

It is feasible to mitigate the solids deposits both in the reservoir and in the well
using the DAS. The system will use a novel algorithm that processes the signals in
real time and extracts the noise signals from the precipitation of solids. The system
will generate "precipitation logs" that indicate a relative measure of solids
precipitation through the reservoir section during production, converting the
acoustic data into clearly analysable logs that demonstrate the locations of solid
precipitation in real time (Sadigov, Thiruvenkatanathan and Sheydayev 2017).

Figure 10. DAS monitoring system (Sheydayev et al. 2018).

The use of this technology (figure 10) resembles a distributed network of

microphones deployed along the well listening to its acoustics.

Based on the above, it is proposed to implement fiber optic technology in the wells
of mature assets and perform a workflow in the IAM to identify the changes in the
temperature profile in real time along the wells using DTS and monitor the
acoustics of the wells with DAS. With the purpose of identifying the zones where
the acoustic and temperature profiles represent the possible solids deposition.
Once the zones have been identified, it will be possible to program the
management and optimization of chemical treatments for the injection and dosing
of chemical products in the indicated zones to mitigate the solids deposition and
avoid removal costs.

To address the challenges, figure 11 summarizes the combination of control factors

that must be addressed to maximize production, reduce costs and improve the use
of resources.

Figure 11. Integrated Asset Management Process (Hirschfeldt, Bertomeu and

Lobato-Barradas 2017).
CONCLUSIONS

The development of an IAM model for the hydrocarbon industry will require
significant time of human resources, engineering, informatics, great efforts of
multidisciplinary groups, therefore it could take several weeks to develop the
optimal and high quality model for the life cycle of the assets. This model shows
an efficient integrated platform improving the management of assets thanks to the
integration of science and engineering, obtaining a better quantification in the
results and in the optimization decisions of the field.

IAM workflows in mature assets may help to better estimate remaining reserves,
improve the understanding between the reservoir and the surface to reduce risks,
find opportunities for optimization and facilitate decision making in field
operations.

The real time asset management model provides timely identification of problems,
improves well integrity, less interventions are required and maximizes production.
The model is focused on effectively monitoring of well production, facilitating the
review and analysis of the performance of artificial lift systems to allow engineers
to evaluate and optimize production.

Using a set of commercial applications and algorithms has implemented the

integration of data in real time, these benefits will allow us to improve the
understanding with assets, minimize risks and costs. It is detailed how the optical
fiber can be applied for the monitoring of the production, stating that the DAS can
be used in conjunction with the DTS for the monitoring and prevention of the solids
deposition.

The possibility of having the visualization of what happens inside the wells and
their interaction with the reservoir offers better possibilities for the assets
management.

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