Abstract
This is a case study of an integrated "digital oilfield" project. The San Ardo, California, i-field Project is one of a number of current Chevron i-field implementation projects. It seeks to transform how the San Ardo steamflood is operated, focusing on better decision making for the asset and streamlined work processes for heat, wells, and water management. The San Ardo i-field project is nearing the end of the planning and front-end engineering phases, with project execution starting in 2006. The project team created preferred alternatives for transforming 21 work processes. Decision support software would be integrated with improved instrumentation, workflow automation, and data architecture to enable more reliable and efficient field operation and execution of reservoir management targets. The project is integrated in two ways. First, integration occurs across the asset management value chain from reservoir through production optimization to day-to-day steamflood and facilities decisions and work processes. Secondly, it is integrated across technology. For example, reservoir surveillance signposts are created and used with computer models to move day-to-day decisions along correct trajectories for executing reservoir heating and production management. A common collaboration and visualization environment would be used for executing day-to-day field decisions. The knowledge provided in the paper would be helpful for assets where field operators are managing many wells with limited resources and attempting to improve their operability and efficiency.