Developing a Production Data Management (PDM) System Using Off-the-Shelf Software
Authors: McGinnis B. , Flanders W.A. 
Published: December 2007

Most commercial production data management (PDM) systems for microcomputers lack the flexibility to accommodate abnormal situations and frequent changes. These problems have been overcome by developing a PDM system using Lotus 1-2-3 TM, dbase Plus TM, and Grapher TM. Other comparable software can be used with similar results. The major advantage of a PDM system using off-the-shelf software packages is the ability of the user to customize and change the system. This flexibility is usually missing in commercial PDM packages. Because the three software components-spreadsheet, database, and graphics program-are separate packages, each can be used independently, thus giving the user even greater flexibility.

Introduction

A key word in today's petroleum industry is "change." The current economic climate mandates that companies develop the ability to respond quickly to rapidly changing market conditions. Nowhere is this need to accommodate change more evident than in PDM-taking raw production-related data (gauge reports, run statements, gas chart volumes, well test data, etc.) and converting them into refined output (production allocation statements, state and partner reports. production plots, etc.).

In recent years, use of microcomputers has simplified much of the PDM work. The degree of automation ranges from spreadsheets for handling individual tasks, such as production allocation reports, to complete commercial PDM systems designed for the microcomputer environment. Unfortunately, most of these commercial packages cannot he modified by the user. Additionally, most of these packages are written to accommodate the norm, with little allowance for unusual situations. Considering these problems, the producer can invest thousands of dollars in a PDM system that will not satisfy the company's needs.

A solution to these problems is to develop a PDM system using off-the-shelf software packages. Most companies own, or should own, a spreadsheet, a programmable data base, and a graphics program. A full-featured PDM system can be developed that uses these three software components. The resulting system can be customized to fit the producer's immediate needs and modified to respond to changing conditions. Furthermore, the basic system can be developed in a short time by someone with limited programming experience.

Concept

The PDM system described in this paper is fundamental to allow the concepts to be clearly presented. The system is made up of the three previously mentioned software components. We used Lotus 1-2-3 Release 2 TM, dbase III Plus, and Grapher. Other spreadsheets, programmable data bases, and graphics programs can be used. Fig. 1 shows how these components interact.

Spreadsheet.

The spreadsheet is used to perform the monthly raw data manipulation. Data from gauge reports, gas chart volume reports, run statements, state production allowable reports, etc., are entered into the spreadsheet and converted into monthly production and sales reports, production allocation reports, and state production reports. The spreadsheet provides the refined monthly production information to an American Standard Computer Information Interchange (ASCII) file to be used by the data base. The spreadsheet was chosen for the monthly manipulation for three reasons. First and most importantly, the spreadsheet is designed to accommodate change readily. Input screens and output reports are easily modified to reflect new wells, changes in production schemes, changes in purchasers, etc, Second, spreadsheets use "on-screen formatting." Reports can be quickly reformatted on screen to reflect these changes. Third, by combining several standard monthly reports into one spreadsheet, multiple data entry is eliminated, keeping input errors to a minimum.