OTC 2017: Emerson helps energy producers maximise well production

The Dynamic Lift Optimisation (DLO) software allows producers to extract greater value from existing assets and reduce field decline rates by ensuring a field or platform is producing at maximum efficiency given current production constraints. Using the DLO software, a typical site operating multiple wells can experience a 10% production improvement because it responds immediately to changes in the field operation, continually reallocating available lift resources. DLO software is one of the technologies featured by Emerson at this year’s Offshore Technology Conference.

DLO software can impact the industry at a critical time. Energy producers seek to maximise the productivity of existing wells and offset the natural decrease in production from an oil well over time. As decline rates increase and wells produce less oil, energy producers are forced to find alternative methods to meet production targets, preferably without the added cost of drilling new wells.

DLO software dynamically adjusts lift gas flows or electric submersible pump (ESP) speed based on the most recent well test curves. Once configured, the application optimally allocates the available lifting power to the wells to maximize production, at the same time adjusting to changing conditions such as wells coming on or off or compressor trips. By contrast, traditional gas lift adjustments are typically handled manually and infrequently, resulting in missed opportunities and lower field performance.

Earlier versions of the software have helped oil and gas producers generate millions of dollars annually in increased production throughout the last decade. The new version is easier to implement and comes IIoT-ready allowing cloud-based infrastructure. The new graphical user interface enables production engineers to safely and securely access crucial field optimization data from any location with an internet connection.

In addition to a new user-friendly, web interface, the DLO software now uses the OSIsoft PI System - a highly scalable open data infrastructure and historian that provides a common data architecture from the plant floor to the enterprise level - making information available wherever needed for better business decisions.

“Emerson’s Dynamic Lift Optimisation software is the first of its kind that helps production teams dynamically adjust lift rates closed-loop based on current conditions, ensuring efficient, high-yield recovery,” said Jose Jimenez, director for Emerson Automation Solution’s global O&G industry business. “It is critical to direct lift resources precisely to the highest value wells, and Emerson’s optimization solution has proven to increase oil recovery rates and slow well decline rates. The new software platform lowers implementation cost significantly.”

Since DLO uses well test curves to determine how to allocate lift resources, it’s important that these curves are updated as the well declines. For maximum benefit, oil producers have the option of pairing DLO technology with Emerson’s integrated well testing solution, which allows for more frequent updating of well curves – information that is fed to DLO software to ensure field production is continuously maximised.

The integrated well testing solution consists of a multi-port flow selector, a 3-phase flow meter and a full-featured remote terminal unit that is delivered as a pre-engineered and fabricated on a skid. This improves the quality and frequency of well test data with a significantly reduced footprint and weight as compared to a traditional test separator and manifold. Each skid can handle up to seven wells, significantly eliminating piping, valves and vessels. The 3-phase flow meter provides instantaneous readings for the oil, gas and water from that well, eliminating the settling time required for a traditional test separator. The well test schedule can be programmed in advance and can occur without manual intervention, eliminating the need for an operator to manually line up valves.

Together, DLO software and integrated well testing solutions offer producers enhanced capabilities for gathering real-time data from the field, automating the well test procedures and closed-loop optimization of lift rates based on current field conditions and operating constraints. This solution automatically allocates available lift resources, where they have the most potential to drive additional profit.

Read the article online at: https://www.oilfieldtechnology.com/drilling-and-production/03052017/otc-2017-emerson-helps-energy-producers-maximise-well-production/