Optimizing Production Facilities Using a Transient Multiphase Flow Simulator

This paper discusses a method for optimizing production facilities design for onshore/offshore wells during new field development. Optimizing the development of new oil and gas fields necessitates the use of accurate predication techniques to minimize uncertainties associated with day-to-day operational challenges related to wells, pipelines and surface facilities. It involves the use of a transient multiphase flow simulator (TMFS) for designing new oil and gas production systems to determine the feasibility of its economic development. A synthetic offshore oil field that covers a wide range of subsurface and surface facility data is considered in this paper. 32 wells and two reservoirs are considered to evaluate the effect of varying sizes of tubing, wellhead choke, flowline, riser, and transport line. A detailed investigation of the scenario of emergency shutdowns to study its effect on the system is performed using TMFS. Other scenarios are also evaluated such as startup, depressurization, pigging, wax deposition, and hydrate formation. This paper provides a method to minimize the cost by selecting the optimum pipelines sizes and diameters, and investigating the requirements of insulation, risk of pipeline corrosions and other related flow assurance parameters. Different facility design scenarios are considered using TMFS tool to achieve operational flexibility and eliminate associated risks. Pressure and temperature conditions are evaluated under several parametric scenarios to determine the best dimensions of the production system. This paper will also provide insight into factors affecting the flow assurance of oil and gas reservoirs.