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DEMO2000-Prosj.ret tekn.utv. petro.virk

Cloud-based, Fluid and PVT Management and Equation of State Model Utilization Tool

Alternative title: Fluid Management Tool

Awarded: NOK 7.6 mill.

Project Number:

310099

Application Type:

Project Period:

2020 - 2022

Organisation:

When you produce oil and gas, the reservoir fluids travel through the rock and into and up the well, before being processed at surface into different sales products (e.g. natural gas, NGLs and crude oil). All of these products are made up by known hydrocarbons most of us learned about in high-school, namely methane, ethane, propane etc. In addition to these hydrocarbons, non-hydrocarbon compounds such as water, nitrogen, carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide are produced. These non-hydrocarbon compounds typically are bi-products that have a negative impact on economics. The relative amount of these different compounds that make up a reservoir fluid are referred to as a "fluid composition". From the reservoir to sales, the produced fluids are subject to a wide range of different pressures and temperatures, which again translates into different physical properties such as volumes and densities. The most sophisticated way of modeling these fluids is with an so-called equation of state (EOS) model. An EOS model is a mathematical equation that models the relationship between a fluid?s pressure, volume, temperature, and composition ? which constitutes the state of the fluid. In addition, an EOS also models a fluid?s phase behavior, predicting when and how the fluid will partition into gas and liquid, giving the relative amounts, compositions, and properties of those phases. The objective of this DEMO 2000 project, is to create a fluid management software platform that simplifies the access and utilization of petroleum fluid data and models across an organization. The data and models will be available digitally at a centralized location, for every single well and every single field operated or owned by a specific company. So far we have a first version of the 3 building blocks that comprise the software. (1) The backend performing all the calculations. (2) The application programming interface (API) that allows for two-way communication & dataflow with third-party software. And finally (3) A standalone frontend solution (guided user interface) for the users to interact with the software from the web browser. With this we have laid the foundation for the software, and are now able to add the features related to fluid (data and models) management that our project partners need. So far we have a stable (tested) version of the 3 building blocks that comprise the software. (1) The backend performing all the calculations. (2) The application programming interface (API) that allows for two-way communication & dataflow with third-party software. And finally (3) A standalone frontend solution (guided user interface) for the users to interact with the software from the web browser. With this we have laid the foundation for the software, and since mid-2021 have started to add the features related to fluid (data and models) management that our project partners need.

Outcomes: The outcomes of this project are far-reaching and impactful, with a centralized web-based access to PVT models and PVT data for every well in the asset, on a daily basis. This will greatly assist in important decision-making activities such as well-placement, identifying attractive gas-based EOR candidates, and defining optimal reservoir management strategies. In addition, the automation of routine tasks that require PVT properties and calculations through our software solution will result in a significant corporate efficiency improvement. This will free up valuable engineering resources for more creative thinking and problem-solving, allowing for more focus on strategic and high-value activities. Impacts: The digital transformation of the oil and gas industry is a significant impact of this project. Our web-based solution, with API connectivity, allows for seamless integration with other in-house and third-party digital solutions, making it future-proof and adaptable to the industry's evolving needs. Additionally, this project has created jobs and value in Norway, with at least 3 new engineering positions at Whitson AS and many more with successful technology development. Furthermore, this project has contributed to the continued expertise and competence building within the strong petroleum engineering community in Norway, resulting in a long-term impact on the industry.

The objective of this project is to simplify usage and access of fluid/PVT related data and models in the petroleum industry through digitalization. PVT and fluid properties have an impact on essentially every discipline in the petroleum domain. Whether it is engineering related to reservoir, production, pipeline, facility or process; PVT is needed to properly describe the fluids. This project involves building out a digital product that: 1. can estimate PVT properties in an accurate and consistent manner for all wells, and at all times, across an oil and gas asset. Existing PVT tools mainly develop models that can be used for one well and for one point in time. 2. is simple, intuitive and user-friendly such that it can be efficiently utilized by the wide range of disciplines that need PVT properties in their work. Existing PVT tools are developed and designed for experts and require both advanced degrees in engineering (MSc or PhD) and extensive practical training over several years. 3. allows for cost-efficient cooperation and sharing within an organization and across disciplines. Existing PVT tools are document-driven, standalone desktop applications offered and sold by monopolies, typically on a “per seat” or “per node” basis which is a big hurdle for new users that want to learn the software. 4. digitally centralizes all PVT / fluid-related data for a given oil and gas asset. PVT / fluid-related data is currently available in multiple files (pdf, Excel) that are only available to a few people within an organization. Finding the PVT data needed is therefore complicated, time-consuming and slow. Our goal with this project is to develop a simple, affordable and technically accurate solution that can be used by a range of different disciplines that need PVT and fluid properties as an input in their analysis; tackling the 4 challenges mentioned above. Typical customers of such a software tool are oil and gas companies – like the industry partners in this project.

Funding scheme:

DEMO2000-Prosj.ret tekn.utv. petro.virk