Information Technology as a Catalyst for Integration of Petroleum Engineering Business Processes
Authors: Brekelmans H. , El Abd S. , Boulogne G.F. , Arafa D. 
Published: December 2007

Oil companies increasingly rely on the use of computing tools to increase economic recovery from producing fields, whilst reducing cost and boosting output by improving staff efficiency. In addition to generating technical benefits, these computing tools facilitate and promote integration between disciplines. With their use, hydrocarbon asset development plans can be made technically and economically more robust, since a multitude of development options can be evaluated in a shorter timespan. Furthermore, a variety of subsurface scenarios can be simulated well in advance of executing any activity. Hence, the potential risks (drilling risks, production risks, etc.) can be comprehensively assessed, leading to improved planning and operations. This approach often results in optimal, fit for purpose facilities, at lower costs. It also improves contingency planning, thereby increasing safety and reducing the environmental impact of operations. It can be demonstrated that well planned and managed investments in Information Management and Technology ultimately increase profitability. Between 1994 and 1996, the Badr El Din Petroleum Company implemented an integrated system of computing applications and the supporting hardware and infrastructure. This paper discusses the implementation process with an emphasis on the petroleum engineering part of the portfolio, presents examples of specific application in field development and discusses associated business benefits. Key success factors and lessons learnt are highlighted and future plans outlined.

Introduction

The Badr El Din Petroleum Company (Bapetco), ranks amongst Egypt's 10 largest joint venture operators. Daily production averages some 25 000 STB of oil and condensate and some 300 MMSCF of gas. The company aims to continuously increase value of its operations on behalf of the shareholders, by pursuing the following targets:–increase ultimate recovery and production rates;–reduce costs of developing hydrocarbon assets;–improve staff competence and efficiency;–conduct a safe and environmentally friendly business.

Management identified the use of new technology to be a key driver in the process to achieve the above targets. These tools would allow:–unproved characterization of reservoir architecture (petrophysical and reservoir modelling techniques); - improved quantification of dynamic processes (subsurface reservoir simulation and surface process simulation);–unproved access to, and drainage of; hydrocarbon resources (drilling/completion technology);–improved staff productivity and competence (desktop PC productivity tools, computer network), as human resources are considered an essential asset.

Therefore, in addition to promoting the introduction of new technology in areas such as drilling and completion design, it was decided to strongly focus on introduction of Information Management and Technology (IM&T) across the company. This has resulted in the implementation of a comprehensive portfolio of productivity tools and technical applications, supported by the appropriate hardware and infrastructure. Today, some 19 technical (RISC) workstations, mainly used for exploration and petroleum engineering technical applications, and some 270 PCs, have been installed. A company wide network has been installed, including links to remote field operations.

As part of this ongoing effort, implementation of a comprehensive petroleum engineering software portfolio was initiated in 1994. P. 315^