The New Approach to Field Infrastructure Design Based on Multi-parameter Optimization

One of the most important tasks within the life cycle of oil and gas fields is making investment decisions on the construction of onshore facilities, pipelines and wells. At the same time, field infrastructure development planning should be aimed not only at ensuring the necessary level of hydrocarbon production, but also at maintaining the profitability of asset development. The initial infrastructure selection development options are formed at the conceptual design stage, at which it is important to take into account key production targets, as well as existing limitations and risks both in drilling and in the construction of an onshore production collection network. The report proposes an integrated approach to the design of the field infrastructure based on a digital tool for automating the multi-parameter search for optimal solutions. The calculation modules of the program allow us to form a digital model containing optimal technological solutions for the placement of multi-well pad sites and linking geological targets with them, the placement of technological communication routes, the choice of technological parameters of the field's ground infrastructure facilities. The software allows you to automatically build well profiles taking into account drilling patterns, as well as to obtain the topology of the ground pipeline network that is optimal in terms of minimum capital costs. The program contains tools for modeling the flow of multiphase fluids in the ground collection network, as well as tools for designing and optimizing auxiliary infrastructure. The software also allows you to simulate the operation of ground equipment in order to select the optimal operating mode. Using the example of two assets, the effectiveness of the proposed approach to the formation of the field infrastructure is demonstrated. As part of the first example (a promising field) the software made it possible to form an optimal variant of the arrangement of the gathering network based on information about geological targets and collision avoidance wellbore separation rule. With the optimal number and position of multi-well pad sites selected, detailed calculations of the gathering system were made, as well as key economic performance indicators were calculated. The use of software for this field made it possible to update the economic calculation and significantly reduce the capital costs of drilling wells and the construction of ground infrastructure using a less dense drilling grid compared to the basic version, which was unprofitable. As part of the work with the second asset (the existing field), the construction of a single digital model made it possible to effectively revise the basic concept of reengineering and reduce capital costs for its implementation through measures to change logistics and justify other pipe diameters, as well as reduce unforeseen additional reconstruction costs for trouble-free operation of the field. Using the examples of the development of these deposits, it is demonstrated that the use of software can significantly speed up the optimization, technological and economic calculations performed compared to existing approaches implemented in other commercial products.