A Dynamic Business Needs Dynamic Solutions; How Field of the Future Has Turned BP into a Smooth Operator

Abstract

Technological advances in horizontal drilling, subsea processing and complex tie-backs have had a significant impact on pushing the boundaries of operability. As the continuous drive to stretch the envelope of operability has resulted in more and more sophisticated operations, it has become increasingly problematical to operate these facilities in an optimal way. Dynamic flow instabilities account for a large proportion of the additional operational burden that needs to be overcome. Experiences within BP have shown that a good understanding of the flow dynamics experienced during start-up can have a significant impact on well up-time and overall production rates. Similarly, ensuring stable flow during normal operations can have a significant impact on the overall operational capacity of the process, raising the overall rate of production. Multiphase flow instabilities are often complex in nature and difficult to interpret. Significant efforts in the field of multiphase modelling have led to an improved understanding of multiphase flow, yet the level of expertise needed to run dynamic models has restricted their widespread use for operational support. The key challenge is to blend the operational insight that multiphase modelling can provide with the people, process and technology elements that have become grouped under the umbrella of intelligent energy. Within this paper, the value of deciphering flow instabilities will be established in light of the typical operational difficulties experienced at BP today, along with projections for future flow instability. A hybrid modelling and data analytical approach will be presented for the analysis of flow dynamics during start-up and for normal operation. Finally, the importance and value of applying effective control solutions to manage potentially unstable flow conditions will be discussed, with reference to the successful implementation of a ‘slug controller’ at one of BP's offshore assets.

Sustaining a Dynamic Revolution: How BP Is Growing the Value Delivered From Transient Flow Modelling and Control

“…The analysis of operating data provides a more time effective and potentially accurate solution for understanding these two forms of slugging. By overlapping an assessment of the level of stability (as determined by flowrate, temperature or pressure data) with a calculation of the liquid and gas flowrates at the corresponding time period, it is possible to generate a data-driven stability map for the well or riser (Calvert et al, 2010).…”

“…This is sufficient to test and tune active forms of slug control, that have proved crucial in delivering flow stability. One form of slug controlled developed by BP is described by Calvert et al, 2010. A typical response from the use of the fieldofthefuture slug controller is shown in figure 3.…”

The BP Field of the Future Programme: The Continuing Mission To Deliver Value

“…This is an important capability in that most optimization solutions work far more effectively if they are dealing with a stable system. (Calvert & Davis, 2009) A further example of control capability supporting optimization is the use of Down-Hole Flow Control (DHFC). Over the past 4 years BP has installed DHFC in 24 wells, delivering significant value through well count reduction and averted interventions.…”

Increasing Production by Applying Field-proven Active Slug Suppression Technology

“…Other companies have developed active slug control systems over the years. For example, Statoil, BP, and Total have developed active slug control technology as discussed in Godhavn et al (2005), Calvert andDavis, (2012), Courbot, (1996), respectively.…”

“…In the GOM application, the Smart Choke was installed to reduce the large fluctuations in gas and liquid at the flowline outlet and pressure fluctuations in the flowline inlet. More recently, the technology was employed in Malaysia at two different platforms (Fong et al 2013). Here, two different issues were resolved.…”