Gazpromneft-Orenburg LLC
Development of an Integrated Model of the Eastern Section of the Orenburg Oil and Gas Condensate Field at Gazpromneft-Orenburg LLC
Project Objectives
- Development and implementation of an integrated asset model (IM) for the Eastern section of the Orenburg Oil and Gas Condensate Field based on the image and concept of an integrated production control system.
- The introduction of functionality offering forecasting of hydrocarbon production levels on medium and long-term horizons, optimization of gas lift gas consumption, calculation of the oil collection system capacity, and technological regimes of wells.
- Integration of production elements into a single information environment for the effective selection of technological regimes of well operation to increase production volumes, increase the efficiency of geological and technical measures, and consider infrastructure constraints.
- Improving the quality of forecasting production indicators. Ensuring effective interaction between the production and organizational structures of the enterprise.
The purpose of the project is to ensure the implementation of plans for the production of hydrocarbons and, in the future – to increase and maintain the profitability of the Gazpromneft-Orenburg mining enterprise at a high level through effective decisions made based on the analysis of multivariate production scenarios performed with the help of IM.
The project on the developing of the integrated model (digital twin) of the Eastern Section of the Orenburg Oil and Gas Condensate Field took place in three stages: the development of the image and structure of the Integrated Production Control System, the implementation of a pilot integrated model at a relatively new site of the Eastern Section of the Orenburg Oil and Gas Condensate Field (168 wells, about 30% of the fund and 40% of total production) and further implementation of a full-scale IM for the entire Eastern section.
As part of developing the image and structure of the Integrated Production Control System, a conceptual vision of effective field management and production optimization based on integrated modelling tools and techniques was formed. Based on the collected and analysed data on the deposit, the team determined systematic approaches to improving the efficiency of the asset and described the expected results. The next step was determining the technical means of modelling and updating models according to actual data and developing the organizational structure and regulations of the interaction of participants in processes related to IM. The received document served as a justification and methodological basis for developing a roadmap for projects to create a comprehensive solution.
The implementation of the pilot integrated model included source data collection, construction and configuration of component models, and the assembly and design of the Integrated Model, taking into account the possibility of further scaling. The solution included a reservoir model in two configurations: simplified, based on the material balance method and sectoral geological and hydrodynamic, well models, models of the oil extraction system, and gas lift gas supply. The project used Petroleum Experts IPM software (MBAL, PROSPER, GAP), RFD tNavigator.
After successfully verifying the developed integrated model, the implementation of a full-scale Integrated Model for the entire Eastern Section began. Measures were proposed to optimize the development system, well operation regimes, oil collection system, and gas lift gas supply.
A register of 12 scenarios for using IM to solve the tasks of the asset was created during the pilot operation. The calculations for each of the scenarios were tested. Test measures to optimize (redistribute) the consumption of gas lift gas allowed to increase production by 15% at the pilot well clusters.
Project characteristics
The project characteristics are associated with the geological features of the Eastern section: carbonate fractured reservoirs, low permeability, oil bank with a high gas factor and hydrogen sulfide content; as well as with the specifics of the gas lift production regime: pulsating operation of gas lift wells, hydrate formation in the gas lift gas supply system and paraffin deposits in the oil collection system. All these factors had to be considered in the calculations on the integrated model.
Result
- The created digital twin is the primary tool of the Gazpromneft-Orenburg Production Control Centre, which controls the operation of more than 600 wells and is used to increase the rate of hydrocarbon extraction and the efficiency of operational activities in the field, taking into account the operation of all systems in the complex.
- The implemented functionality provides forecasting of hydrocarbon production levels on medium and long-term horizons, optimization of gas lift gas consumption, calculation of the throughput capacity of the oil collection system, and the technological regimes of wells.
- The project implementation made it possible to maintain the necessary volume of extracted hydrocarbon raw materials and perform timely optimization.
- The recommendations for improving the source data quality have been developed and implemented.
- Forecast and optimization calculations were performed for the technological regime with a 14% reduction in gas lift gas consumption and an increase in oil production and forecast calculations for changes in production during the construction of the new pipelines (loop lines).
- The launch of the digital twin will allow the company to additionally extract over 800 000 tons of oil and 1.3 billion m3 of gas. The expected economic effect is 3.3 billion rubles until 2030.
The Production Control Centre also plans to control the processes of oil collection and preparation, which will allow achieving maximum efficiency in the development of the largest producing asset in the region. In the future, digital twins will be created for all Gazprom Neft fields in the Orenburg region.
Customer Feedback
"The digital twin of the Eastern section of the Orenburg field combines data on the structure of deposits, the operation of hundreds of wells, and ground infrastructure facilities. The launch of an innovative model will help us to fully unlock the potential of the field, as well as ensure a high level of industrial and environmental safety during the development of one of the largest and most complex oil and gas assets of the Orenburg region".
General Director of Gazpromneft-Orenburg Evgeny Zagrebelny