TERMINERT!Development of a real time updated sand production and sand transport model for production optimalization with respect to sand

This project will be a pilot project to demonstrate the advantages of real-time application of physics based models for sand management. The central activities within the project will be to: a) Development/definition of models for sand production and san d transport based on corresponding mechanistic models suitable (fit-for-purpose) for implementation in a real-time data acquisition environment. b) Development/definition of methods for model updating based on available measurements. This applies to sand production and transport, as well as to the underlying flow models. A key challenge is the tuning of dynamic model responses based on online sensor feedback. c) Definition of process optimization criteria and algorithms. d) Development of a information ma nagement and visualization system adapted to the user group’s specific needs. The project will be a joint R&D project between Sense and Sintef at a specific pilot field.The two companies have complementary knowledge, and have highly qualified expertise in their areas. Close involvement from an oil company are necessary for the project, both to be able to utilize actual field data, both historical and real time, but also to QC the models and data stream. Statoil have shown a considerable interest in this p roject, but are not able to commit at this stage. The development of the sand management agent represent a tremendous value for the oil companies. The value of improved sand management has already been demonstrated by Statoil through the Gullfaks project [17] where a 10% increase in production is estimated for the Gullfaks A&C installations. Assuming that the proposed technology can contribute a modest 5% increase for e.g. Visund, which currently produces ca. 2 mill Sm3 oil/year, and an oil price of 30 US D/bbl, this corresponds to an added value of 20 milllion USD per year.