Today is a very different
world from the time I was at school. No mobile phones, internet and only 1
computer in the whole school. Now things are very different with computers
being used to control many aspects of our day to day lives. I recently saw a
documentary about the Toyota car factory and how they used computers to control
automated robots to build the cars. Designers would sit in offices using 3D
software to prototype the new models and use virtual turbines to check for wind
resistance and airflow over a computer created model. Now just think of the
possibilities of using such technology to control and operate a modern oil rig.
Firstly let’s look at the
issues of communication. Many companies will sub contract specific operations
to specialist teams. Each team would need technical information about the rig
and traditionally this operational data was sent using American Standard Code
for Information Interchange, otherwise know as ASCII code. However it was
quickly seen that the amounts of data that needed to be transmitted was huge
and ASCII transfer was not going to be quick enough to deal with the growing
data requirements. Therefore another protocol for transmitting data needed to
be deployed quickly. Wellsite Information Transfer Standard Markup Language
(WITSML) was developed to overcome the limitations of ASCII and has now become
a standard for transmitting technical and operational data between
organisations within the oil industry.
Why is a standard system so
important for data communication? Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML) was created
as a standard protocol for website screen design so that many different
computers and browsers could display web pages in the same format. In the same
way WITSML is a standard way to collect and transmit drilling information to
separate and previously ‘closed’ systems, giving operators a method of
collaborating and communicating shared data. This standard has now been
developed for over 12 years and has undergone a number of changes and versions
by the global consortium that facilitates the development of the standard. The
benefits for companies using this standard is that is allows for a much broader
use of commercially available tools and software during the drilling process.
Previously being a very niche market, such software and tools were written on a
bespoke basis and at considerable cost. 3rd party software companies
wanted to access the mass drilling markets with their real time virtual
systems. Unfortunately many of these developers locked the operator into a
specific system which was not much different to the original bespoke
methodology.
WITSML effectively unlocked
the data which could be collected from vendor software or directly from surface
and drilling tools in real time. The data would then be stored in this standard
format to be used by a variety of analytical tools. It may come as a surprise
that petroleum operators have been collecting the technical data from the
drills at least 20 years ago and the idea of a digital oilfield is not a new
one. On the fly data logging (wireline logging) is essential within a modern
drilling environment. Sensors are used to monitor a variety of variables from
the drilling head, its speed and angle to the flow of oil and water pressure.
Accurate data logging is vital for the prevention of blowouts which can cause
fatalities and seriously impact a company’s reputation.
BP was one of the first
global oil producers to fully integrate digital technologies and they have
found that such systems produce a noticeable increase in efficiency and
recovery of operating costs. WITSML has helped BP too accurately measure
performance from its global reservoirs and to aid in the transport of fast data
analysis over 1200 miles of high-end fibre-optic cable was laid linking BP hubs
with their contractors and Advanced Collaborative Environments (ACE). This
means a safer and more productive environment is created for everyone. The use
of WITSML operations has made it possible to use virtual reality and real time
systems enabling three main areas of oil and gas production to be enhanced.
Firstly a well can be
remotely monitored. BP developed an Integrated Surveillance Information System
called ISIS. This sends alerts when a well reaches a certain operational
condition. Well analysis can take place instantly and many hazards and
accidents have been reduced as a result. Compare this to 100 years ago when you
found out a well had gone critical only after it had exploded in a fireball of
destruction. Next facilities are greatly enhanced by using Data to Desktop
(D2D) software which allows the petroleum engineers to monitor and remove
potential bottlenecks. For example if a valve is not operating within certain
limits or a drill head is about to fracture, then these will be highlighted and
action can be taken immediately. Also where mechanical breakdowns have occurred
a new workflow can be created while parts are being delivered to make the
repair.
Finally data integration and
standardisation helps to support daily operations. Model Based Operating
Support programmes (MBOS) are used to enhance operations by using decision making
flows to predict outcomes and reduce potential risks. By using flow controls
the operator can quickly access production needs and the amount of oil required
compared to the suitability and availability of the well. If another 1 million
litres of oil are required, MBOS will help the analyst to gauge production
costs and then to plan the distribution needs to supply the increased oil. It
is not enough to be able to produce more oil if it cannot be delivered on time
and if necessary stored at a depot until required by the customer. As you can see data
communication software plays a vital part in oil production, risk analysis,
operational controls and safety management.
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