An Integrated Solution for Operational Planning in an Intelligent Underground Gas Storage System
Authors: Jiang H. , Liu T. , Ren K. , Ma J. , Gogoi U. , Gusain N. , Qu J. , Ai F. , Pitla P. , Jiao Y. 
Published: November 2024

In this study, we introduce a solution addressing China's evolving energy market needs, that employs an integrated digital underground gas storage (UGS) field approach with automated workflows to enhance the system efficiency. The overall solution leverages reservoir-to-surface network coupling within a high-resolution reservoir simulator, for alternating production and injection cycles, which is the key to a UGS project. The resulting set of outputs is integrated with interactive dashboards for monitoring and user action. This agile solution establishes a benchmark for similar UGS projects, ensuring safe and cost-efficient UGS operations.

To capture the UGS performance factors, production and injection integrated asset models with reservoir model, and coupled steady-state wellbore and surface network models have been introduced. Data from field instrumentation and user intervention via dashboards feed into a production data management system (PDMS). The reservoir model is updated daily with observed data, enabling operational planning and scenario analysis. The tailored workflows provide useful inputs to the UGS management, including: Reservoir development strategy: Evaluate reservoir performance for various field development strategies.Online autotracking: Historical simulation since the cycle starts, and prediction for next 10 days, to evaluate gas in place, field and well deliverability.Operational scheduling: On-demand what-if scenario analysis with varying system constraints to assess the UGS performance, enabling faster and efficient responses to market requirements.Restart case autogeneration: Standardized case generation, and seamless operation with zero user intervention.

This solution revolutionizes traditional analysis and field management methods with a model-based approach, delivering instant insights through interactive dashboards. Automation drastically reduces response analysis time from three weeks to roughly half an hour, significantly accelerating decision-making processes. This integration helps to prevent flow assurance issues, averting costly well shutdowns and handling pipeline blockages. With an approximate 82% increase in automation (by reducing analysis time by approximately 40%), 50% improvement in operational efficiency, and 30% reduction in costs and production risks, stakeholders can swiftly respond and subsequently enhance organizational effectiveness. Valued at approximately USD 2.5 million, this project has successfully resulted in three similar ventures in the region, offering a reusable solution for the UGS system.

This integrated solution offers tailored workflows for the UGS systems, harmonizing reservoir, wellbore, surface pipeline, and export station data, facilitating cross domain informational exchange in a single collaborative environment. The solution is enabled through the integration of cutting-edge domain technologies and the use of web APIs to enable workflow results visualization and user interactions. It thus marks a significant advancement, shifting the traditional reliance on user experience to empowering users with streamlined processes and informed decision making.