Introduction to Production Operations (PRO01)

Description

At the outset, the basic oil production system is introduced, from reservoir to point of sale, providing a clear understanding of how the different elements of the production process interact with each other. Modelling a natural flowing oil well is then described, leading on to possible operations to enhance its performance and to choosing the appropriate artificial lift system. Surface and downhole technologies for monitoring production system behavior are explained along with how their measurements are used to highlight underperforming wells and identify flow assurance issues. Finally, the course shows how production process diagnostics permit troubleshooting of problem wells and help design appropriate well intervention and work-over operations.

Course Level: Foundation
Duration: 5 days
Instructor: Gioia Falcone

Designed for you, if you are...

A petroleum engineer, process engineer, development geologist, oilfield production manager or field engineer with a limited background in production engineering

How we build your confidence

The key components of the oil field production process are introduced, then you are taken along the flow path, from source to export, of a simple, naturally flowing system. The sequence is revisited, but this time, operations to improve oil well productivity are described, along with ‘how to’ examples of tackling problem wells identified from performance diagnostics. The necessary inputs to aid design of well intervention programmes work-over operations are listed and explained.
The course includes hands-on exercises, break-out sessions to discuss typical production operations challenges, short videos, and demos of oilfield production system modelling software.
Attendees are encouraged to bring their own case studies for discussion in class.

The benefits from attending

By the end of the course you will feel confident in your understanding of:

The production processes involved in an oil field development and how they relate to one another, from the reservoir to the point of sale
The methods available to monitor, identify and characterise problem well performance and flow assurance issues
The data required to select the most appropriate artificial lift system
The use of diagnostics to design well intervention programs and work-over operations to improve problem well performance

Topics

Introduction to petroleum production systems
Reservoir inflow characterisation
Skin
Well completions
Perforating
Flow in wellbores and pipelines / flow lines / risers
Surface facilities
Flow measurement
System analysis: Linking the reservoir, the near-wellbore, the wellbore and the surface facilities
Flow assurance issues
- Hydrates
- Scales
- Waxes
- Asphaltenes
- Corrosion
- Erosion
- Slugging
Artificial lift working principles and technology selection
In-well production diagnosis
- Production logging
- Downhole cameras
- Downhole flow monitoring
Well trouble shooting: short-, medium- and long-term operations
- Water and gas shut-offs
- Re-perforation
- Stimulation (hydraulic fracturing and acidising)
- Re-completion
- Debottlenecking of topsides facilities
- Handling transient flow situations in the system
- Offshore vs. onshore scenarios