Technology Focus: Production and Facilities (December 2023)
Authors: Marques Débora Salomon 
Published: December 2023

It seems that it has been a very productive period for production and facilities. I reviewed a significant number of abstracts on such an interesting variety of topics—new technology developments down- and midstream, improvements in corrosion detection and prediction, new systems for emulsion monitoring, and even downhole drones, as well as several optimization works using artificial intelligence and machine learning, for quality and control.

In the materials-science aspect, composite and nonmetallic materials continue to be significantly researched, as well as additive manufacturing for fast replacement of parts.

I also reviewed abstracts on new materials development for downstream applications, such as dielectric sealants and dissolvable rubbers. Some fundamental research on emulsion stability was also present, as well as new emulsion monitoring systems based on microwave, acoustic, and capacitance measurements.

In the area of equipment reliability, a common trend is using digital methods on historical data for prediction of equipment failure or corrosion vulnerability. There were also inspection developments such as the use of chemical tracers to identify the location of equipment failure downstream. A couple of works in this area are suggested in paper SPE 205687, which provides an example of deep learning used for intelligent identification of equipment status, and paper SPE 205056, which is a more-fundamental work on corrosion-prediction models.

My attention was particularly drawn to environmentally oriented submissions this year. Energy integration continues to be a topic of interest, with geothermal and even green hydrogen being considered for energy generation in production facilities, especially in remote locations. An example of an interesting energy integration viability study can be found in paper SPE 204551. Another relevant aspect addressed was waste management, with submissions regarding abandoned wells management and waste disposal.

A very thorough review on how to deal with produced solids can be found in paper SPE 210003, which clearly explains all stages of handling, from separation to disposal, with case studies as examples. An interesting work, paper SPE 213000, combines two issues: the disposal of wind-turbine waste and the use of abandoned wells. Because of the toxicity of wind-turbine blades, abandoned wells and cement coprocessing are considered as disposal options. It is quite interesting how costs and emissions were carefully analyzed in this study.

Paper SPE 211932 caught my attention for its social and economic impact. This work presents the use of modular refineries as an alternative, cheaper solution to increase refining capabilities. Many developing nations produce more oil than their internal market consumes but still need to import large quantities of refined products. This work points this out as an anomaly. While some refining companies may profit from this, deep social impacts are caused by the increased gas prices in nations that are petroleum-rich. It is nice to see developments in our field that can contribute to less social inequality in the world.

Recommended additional reading at OnePetro: www.onepetro.org.

SPE 205056 Possible Missing Link in CO2 Corrosion Prediction by Yves Gunaltun, Retired

SPE 205687 A Deep-Learning Model To Intelligently Identify the Working Status of Screw Pumps for Oil Well Lifting by Zhen Wang, Luming Oil and Gas Exploration and Development, et al.

SPE 204551 Challenges and Opportunities for Green Hydrogen Power Supply in Oil and Gas Remote Facilities by Salvador Alejandro Ruvalcaba Velarde, Heriot-Watt University