Production Technology in Context

Abi Babajide-Ferguson

TITLE SLIDE
Hello, welcome to this short presentation on Production Technology.
SLIDE 2:
Following this session, you will be able to:
List the Production Technology discipline core competence areas
Understand the role of a Production Technologist, also called ‘PT’ for short
You will be able to identify the domain of the PT and key areas PTs help create value, as well as describe PT
activities across the Opportunity Realization Phases
You will get an understanding of PT roles and responsibilities across the Discipline Controls and Assurance
Framework (DCAF), and
Identify where to get more information
SLIDE 3:
Let’s begin with the PT discipline competence framework which is shown here. This lists our core competence
areas.
Subsequent sessions will cover the various core competence areas, the specific role of the PT in that space, and
interfaces with other disciplines.
SLIDE 4:
So, what is the role of a PT?
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Production Technology plays a unique and vital interface and coordination role between Reservoir, Surface
Engineering, Wells and Production Operations. As such, Production Technologists frequently become the
“integrators” for the assets, regardless of the Development phase. Our activities are focused on Production System
Optimization, maximizing short-term production and long-term recovery from our assets through state of the art
technology, delivered by committed and competent staff.
Briefly described, (CLICK) a PT is the Technical Authority for all decisions regarding the well that may affect its
production potential or technical integrity, except for emergency operations and for routine operations which is
covered by the Production Operations discipline.
(CLICK)
And, the PTs role spans the entire well lifecycle, from initial conceptual design to abandonment.
SLIDE 5:
The domain of the PT is usually from the near wellbore to the choke. (CLICK) Prime responsibilities of the PT
include: the Well and Completion conceptual design, as well as designing and managing the reservoir-well
interface,
When there is artificial lift, the PTs domain expands, (CLICK) as we specify the operating envelope and the artificial
lift type.
Other prime responsibilities of the PT include managing the well’s performance & integrity over the entire life
cycle. We will touch on this briefly.
SLIDE 6:
On this slide is a P-Q graph, representing pressure and rate.
The first graph represents Inflow – showing the well’s connection with the reservoir, also known as your Inflow
Performance or IPR curve.
The second graph represents Outflow – showing the transportation to surface, also known as your Vertical Lift
Performance, or VLP curve
Where the two curves meet is the system solution – the equilibrium where what is going into the well can be
produced to the surface under certain conditions. This gives us the production rate at a certain pressure.
The most important role of the PT is to improve the system solution. To move both curves further to the right ---
basically to increase the rate, Q!!!
In order to do this, we need to understand each and every well, to deliver maximum potential and upside
SLIDE 7:
So, how do we increase production? First, let’s look at what impacts changes in production.
Any change in production is a result of change in inflow/outflow/deferment. Want to maximize inflow and
outflow, and minimize deferment. The work a PT does should focus on these items, though responsibility for
deferment in many cases is shared with production operations, especially when this is due to the facility.
SLIDE 8:
There are many activities a PT undertakes to help increase or optimize production. Activities impacting the inflow
potential of the well include recompletions, stimulations, and zone changes to name a few. Activities impacting
the outflow potential of the well include artificial lift, changing the tubing size, further opening the choke (also
known as beaning up the well). To maximize our production, we must minimize deferment.
SLIDE 9:
Safety is the most important aspect of all activities carried out by a PT. Well Integrity is a term describing the
status of a well's ability to function effectively and safely within its operational envelope as defined by the well
failure model in the Well Integrity Management Manual (WIMM). The topic of well integrity will be further
covered in a subsequent session.
As mentioned earlier, PTs are the technical Authority for all decisions regarding the well that may affect its
production potential or technical integrity, for the entire well lifecycle.
SLIDE 10:
The Opportunity Realization Standard, ORS for short, applies to all opportunities with a headline size of $100MM
(Shell share) or unusual risk. PTs play a vital role across all phases of the ORS,
(CLICK, CLICK, CLICK, CLICK, CLICK)
from designing the conceptual completion, to operating the well according to WRFM requirements.
SLIDE 11:
The Discipline Controls and Assurance Framework, DCAF for short, defines the discipline standards for which each
discipline is accountable. This framework standardizes Quality Control (QC) and Quality Assurance (QA) across all
disciplines, in all ORS phases.
There are 21 PT accountabilities in DCAF.
PT accountabilities include: Conceptual Completion Design, Well Functional Specifications, Well, Reservoir, and
Facilities Management (WRFM) implementation, Medium Term Forecasting, Integrated Production System
Modelling, Well Integrity Management and Well Intervention Proposals.
SLIDE 12:
In summary, Production Technology is a blend of engineering skills that sit at the interface between: the Subsurface
teams, the Constructors and the Operators/Maintainers.
PTs are integrators for the assets across the development and production phases
CLICK
The PT is responsible for the Well and Completion conceptual design, designs and manages the reservoir-well
interface, and manages the well’s performance & integrity over the entire life cycle.
They are the Technical Authority for all decisions regarding the well that may affect its production potential or
technical integrity!
SLIDE 13:
For more information on Production Technology, please visit the discipline’s single point of access page.
From PT SPoA page, also visit: PTechNet - Production Technology’s global forum. This is a good place to post your
PT questions & to learn more about PT!
Thank you for watching.
SLIDE 14