Integrated Asset Modeling through Multi-Reservoir Optimization of Offshore Fields using Next-Generation Reservoir Simulators

摘要

Objective/Scope: Integrated asset modeling (IAM) offers the oil industry several benefits. Thernnext-generation reservoir simulators help achieve faster runtimes, insight into interaction between variousrncomponents of a development, and can be used as an effective tool in detecting bottlenecks in a productionrnsystem as well as a constant and more effective communication tool between various departments. IAMrnprovides significant opportunities for optimization of very large or complex infrastructures and life-offieldrnanalysis of production optimization scenarios.Simultaneous modeling of surface and subsurfacerncomponents helps reduce time and enhances efficiency during the decision-making process whichrneliminates the requirement for tedious, time-consuming work and iterations between separate solutions ofrnreservoir and surface networks. Beyond this convenience, this technology makes it possible to reach morernrobust results more quickly using surface-subsurface coupling. The objective of this study is to outline thernadvantages and the challenges in using next-generation simulators on simulation of multiple reservoirs inrnintegrated asset management.rnMethods/Processes: Simultaneous simulation of multiple reservoirs adds another dimension ofrncomplexity to the process of integrated asset modeling. Several sub-reservoir models can be simulatedrnsimultaneously in large fields comprising sub-reservoirs with complex surface systems, which couldrnotherwise become very tedious to handle. In this study, a next-generation reservoir simulator is coupledrnwith an optimization and uncertainty tool that is used to optimize the net present value of the entire asset.rnSeveral constraints and bottlenecks in such a large system exist, all connected to one another. IAM provesrnuseful in debottlenecking to increase efficiency of the thorough system. The strengths and difficultiesrnassociated with simultaneous simulation and optimization of multiple reservoirs are compared to the morernconventional way of simulating the assets separately, thus illustrating the benefits of using next-generationrnreservoir simulators during optimization of multiple reservoirs.rnResults/Observations: The results show that simultaneous solution of the surface-subsurface couplingrngives significantly faster results than that of a system that consists of separate solution of surface andrnsubsurface. The speed difference becomes more significant when the number of reservoirs simulated isrnmore than one. This study outlines the workflow in setting up the model, the CPU time for eachrncomponent of the simulation, the explanation of each important item in this process to illustrate the incremental benefits of use of next-generation reservoir simulators in simulating multiple reservoirs withrnsurface facilities taken into account.rnNovel/Additive Info: Although the use of next-generation simulators are becoming more common, solidrnexamples that illustrate the benefits of simultaneous simulation of multiple reservoirs with surfacernfacilities under several different constraints like this study are important to prove the use of such toolsrnwhere it is more convenient to carry out the optimization in a system that handles decision parameters andrnconstraints simultaneously.