Remote Real-Time Analysis - A Game Changer for Remote Operation Centers

Abstract

Drilling, completion, production and general surveillance are all areas that benefit greatly from remote real-time analysis, providing significant value to operators through proactive, rather than reactive, responses to challenges during day-to-day operation. Several different disciplines that previously operated separately are today integrated in their work; both in the field and remotely, continual monitoring and remote data analysis includes and integrates areas such as drilling optimization, pressure management, pore-pressure predictions, and wellbore stability. Software models that utilize case-based reasoning and physics, together with real-time drilling and well data, enable immediate situational analysis and trend monitoring. Advice today is provided remotely, requiring fewer personnel at a rig site. However, there are several challenges to remote services with many of these elated to communications issues, a fear of job loss and working outside a comfort zone. What is considered an important development goal for a business might be regarded as a threat for an individual, leading to reduced development within remote services. This paper presents the consequences of an ever-more automated oil field -benefits, challenges and a future outlook. Traditional Operations modelsTraditional operations models have been more or less unchanged throughout several decades and are, by default, the models most organizations in the oil and gas (O&G) industry follow. Traditional models do not promote service or function integration and endorse separate operations environments.These models are also field personnel centered with limited or no remote real-time data analysis. The majority of ongoing oil and gas projects utilize telephone/ fax connections and e-mail where available for communication between the field and offices; real-time data, if available remotely, is not being utilized at its potential. Remote Operations business modelA remote operation business model removes geographic location and physical distance in all phases of oilfield service delivery. It reduces the cost of delivering services, increases geographic reach and improves safety and are enabled through: Organizational change  Cross-training within and across product lines  24/7 operations monitoring, support and supervision  Local and global subject matter experts (SME) available in collaborative environments  Knowledge management  Real-time data streams, data transfer and remote control