Sustaining a Dynamic Revolution: How BP Is Growing the Value Delivered From Transient Flow Modelling and Control

摘要

Steady state flow modelling has become common practice across the industry. Over the past decade, continued developments in the underlying modelling software have led to a greater up-take in steady state modelling as clear solutions emerge for a wide range of operational problems. Whilst steady-state modelling has reached a level of maturity, dynamic modelling is less established as an operational support tool. This contrasts with an ever growing list of dynamic operability issues that have emerged from operating more challenging fields. Although firmly established in the flow assurance community, transient flow modelling has yet to achieve the same critical mass with the petroleum engineering community. The additional technical complexity of dynamic modelling means that it is more likely to be used in bespoke design studies than in the support of daily operations. Within this paper, the challenges of developing a sustainable dynamic modelling capability will be discussed in reference to three phases: demonstrating value; crystallising interest and building regional capability. For each phase, supporting evidence will be given from a variety of projects including slug control, well start-up and well deliquification. Dynamic modelling is beginning to play a significant role in BP's operations. The significance of dynamic modelling and control in delivering safe, stable and optimal performance is now well understood across the company. The remaining challenge is to crystallise recent success into a fully sustainable dynamic modelling capability.