Increasing Gas Producer Profitability WithVirtual Well Visibility Via an End-to-End,Wireless Internet Gas Monitoring System

摘要

Smart-AlekTM is an example of a fully integrated, endto-end orifice gas measurement and production analysissystem utilizing public wireless communications and aWEB-browser-only delivery system to provide gas wellvisibility to any desktop. Capitalizing on the technology’scost effectiveness, and ease of deployment, NorthrockResources Ltd. (a wholly-owned subsidiary of UnocalCorporation) has adopted a grass-roots shift in theiroperations strategy that implements on-the-ground,timely decision making at the field level. This type of endto-end wireless and WEB technology has enabledNorthrock to increase gas volumes with more accuratemeasurement (Electronic Flow Measurement vsmechanical chart), and less downtime. The reduceddowntime was achieved through greater visibility andsystem callout functionality. Administrative burdens ofField Data Capture and production reporting have beenmade more efficient by enabling data to flow seamlesslyinto existing accounting systems. Reduction in operatingcosts were achieved by decreases in well visitationfrequency and a redirection of operator “windshieldtime” to activity that optimizes business profitability.Real-time well visibility from anywhere is a tool that hasproven very effective when coupled with a corporatestrategy to provide operating staff with an understandingof key business drivers. The content of this paper presentsa field case study of how measurement data fusion canoccur when appropriate and timely data is delivered andacted upon by field operations and office personnel.