Several Operators have published papers on the integration of Flow Assurance Models in real-time data from subsea and topsides to be used a predictive tools for hydrates, scale, asphaltenes, wax, slugging, etc. The 2 I’ve read so far are:
- OTC-25740-MS - Online Transient Simulation in Deepwater Operations: Practical Experiences (BP Angola)
- SPE-124535-MS - Flow Assurance Design and Initial Operating Experience From Blind Faith in Deepwater Gulf of Mexico (Chevron – Blind Faith)
While excellent in showing how integrating models into real-time data helps Operations with What-If scenarios, transient data, predictive tools, etc, they both rely on 3rd-party licensing for ongoing Operations and Support. I’m not at all against this, but in the current price environment I know that this can get very expensive, very quickly.
Most (if not all) deepwater operations have access to real-time data (both subsea and topsides), engineering documents (e.g. flowline layouts, insulation details, etc), and plenty of fluid characterization, so all the “inputs” into a flow-assurance model are already there. The only issue I see is building the model and integrating it within a GUI for Operators to use, then tuning it based on historical data and live data.
- Does anyone have experience of trying to do this in-house but then using other 3rd-party for validation and calibration?
- If so, what timeline did this take?
- What would you do differently (i.e. is it worth it in the end, or would you just go back to relying on other 3rd party software to manage it all?)
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Bryan Arciero, PE
Staff Process Engineer
Murphy Exploration and Production
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