Mature Oilfield Production Surveillance and Optimization Using Clamp-On Sonarflow Surveillance

Abstract

Umm Gudair (UG) field is one of the major oil fields of West Kuwait asset. Wells are tested periodically using multiple conventional test separators and data is subsequently used to update Well Performance "Nodal analysis" and "Live Flow Line Surface Network Model". A different approach was tested in 2018 for a mature oil field in the Middle East to evaluate the effectiveness of Clamp-On based SONAR Flow Surveillance solution against existing conventional portable test separator. The objective was to check the performance of the SONAR Flow Surveillance on black oil wells at different flowing conditions, and ultimately implement a new approach to increase the testing frequency, reduce any potential of hydrocarbon release, avoid well shutdown, optimize operating costs, and production optimization. The SONAR Surveillance approach is based on SONAR clamp-on flow meters deployed in conjunction with compositional (PVT) and multiphase flow models for oil and gas wells to interpret the measurements of the SONAR flow meters at line conditions (pressure, temperature, fluid stream composition), and output the gas, oil and water phase flow rates at both actual and standard conditions. The SONAR meter measures the bulk flow velocity (at line conditions), then a flow computer determines the individual phase volume fractions at actual conditions using a PVT model and water-cut. This provides a measure of the oil rate at actual conditions. A shrinkage factor calculated by the black oil model is applied to report oil rate at standard conditions. Gas and water are also inferred in a similar manner. The gas, oil and water flow rates thus determined at actual conditions are further processed and converted to standard conditions as well. The field tests showed that the SONAR Flow Surveillance approach allowed more flexibility in terms of field installation and the measurements are made at actual production conditions unlike other devices that may introduce additional flow restrictions. The SONAR meters diagnostics also provided a more realistic representation of the well flow profile since the measurements are instantaneous versus the "averaging" effects observed when using gravity-based separators. This allows better production surveillance and understanding of changes in well behavior.