Abstract
Managing and optimising BP's integrated operations presents an increasingly complex challenge with the move to deeper- water production and the use of sub-sea processing and multiphase tiebacks from satellite fields. Production system optimisation requires the simultaneous assessment of flow stability and well draw-down maximisation whilst honouring the constraints of reserves recovery though the reservoir management depletion strategy.
BP has a strong track record of applying fundamental mechanistic models to support operational decision making and optimisation. When reconciled with real-time and historical production data, physical models of a production system increase operators understanding of the system and allow changes to operating strategy to be made with increased confidence. Moreover, inferred model parameters can be use to track the health and efficiency of component parts of the system feeding an enhanced predictive maintenance capability.
Mechanistic models of a production system are themselves complex and challenging to use and maintain. Normally their use is restricted to modelling experts primarily for design purposes or to support troubleshooting following a production upset condition. Delivering such models for use within an operational environment requires a large number of issues to be addressed, in particular how such models can be applied quickly and robustly with assurance, and how they are scoped and maintained.
This paper outlines how BP E&P is tackling these issues through the Field of the FutureTM Model Based Operational Support programme as the capability is deployed further within the Upstream organisation.
