Streamlining Selection and Surveillance: An End-To-End Lifecycle Tool for Well Test Optimization
Authors: Singh H. , Ahmad W. W , Nordin N. 
Published: April 2024

A multi module and evolving cloud based well test equipment selection, surveillance and monitoring tool has been developed to ensure optimum field specific selection of well testing equipment's for field life-cycle operability and can be utilized for real time monitoring on accuracy and performance of installed MPFMs during operations. The tool consists of three modules each used at different project phase namely early sizing and selection (FEL 0/1), verification (FEL 2/3), commissioning and surveillance (Operation).

This paper covers the methodology of the tool to demonstrate fit for purpose selection catered for full field life reliability for well test equipment by ensuring calculations from process simulations or Heat and Material balance taking into consideration full field life scenarios and cases as well as well counts. Results of each case and simulation is then analyzed via two phase flow map, GVF vs WLR plots as well as flow regime predictions. Apart from that, another module serves the purpose of creating and monitoring well test performances to ensure deviations are monitored and mitigation plans can be made to ensure improved acceptance rates and confidence with well testing facilities which is always questioned.

Fourteen project cases had been evaluated utilizing this tool and the evaluation results from tool usage has demonstrated incorrect and not fit for purpose selection to last for full field life as per intension, reverification during FEED stage proved vital in correcting the selection as well as setting the baseline for health checks during operation and surveillance provided rectification plans with assured results. All in all, the simplicity of tool usage as well as being hosted in a sustainable cloud-based environment, contributed towards significant cost savings in manhours to expedite tedious manual calculations and perform flow regime predictions in order to develop the optimum operating envelope for the field life of the wells. In addition, during operations, this tool has proven to demonstrate higher well tests acceptance rate due to the ability to carry out real time surveillance which enabled well test engineers to carry out tuning or rectification on well test parameters to improve accuracy of measurements.

Results depicted in Table 1 showcases tool strengths in selection, verification, and monitoring of well test equipment. The tool namely "PETRONAS Well Test Equipment Selection and Surveillance Tool" nullifies requirements for third party testing and verification by Operators, removes tedious manual calculations of each well stream and case to select equipment which would satisfy all cases of a well prediction. Whilst also providing real time well data monitoring and recommendations to resolve issues with well test equipment's specific to field requirements and reservoir characteristics. Its current deployment has managed to resolve issues at hand with realized cost savings however there is room for further development as well as potential commercialization in the future to resolve pain points and eventually becoming a virtual advisor.