About the Customer
Our client is a leading offshore drilling company offering rig-based well construction services worldwide. The company owns a fleet that includes mobile, flexible, offshore units in deep, mid, and ultra-deep waters. They were driven to find the best technical solutions because of their dedication to innovation.
Challenges
Construction of offshore oil and gas wells is a complicated process that can take time. This requires a series of manual and semi-automated operations that must be performed in concert to ensure safety and efficiency. Different types of equipment can be created and operated separately. All technical units at the rig are connected. Any delay in machinery can increase the critical time path and reduce the overall performance. This can cause financial losses.
Our client’s engineers had to assess and collect measurements from dozens of rigs to identify potential variations and inefficiencies. This included crew timing and machine timing. A lot of data had to be collected and then analyzed. If they had done it manually, it would have been too time-consuming.
Solution
Our engineers created a well optimization simulation model using machine data and control signals from equipment. Engineers could use simulation to build a digital twin for oil well optimization.
This would analyze and reflect the co-dependencies between various operations to reduce downtime. Managers could use simulation outputs to identify the root causes of time loss and provide solutions.
A detailed process for building optimization model for well construction:
Our engineers focused on the tripping phase of the process of well construction when designing the optimization model for oil well.
This takes between 20-30% of overall well construction time. It is semi-automated, so equipment performance has a lot of variabilities.
This involves block retracting, block lifting, and bringing the tube to the well center. Some of these are performed simultaneously.
We analyzed the tripping operations using Well PRO oil well construction simulation software, discrete-event process modeling and leveraging state machine algorithms.
The process was divided into four significant operations, then into functional elements at the lowest levels. The engineers were able to create the state-machine model.
The well-construction optimization model was combined with a discrete process model. This model represented the tripping process, with built-in machine logic for 4-5 devices.
Benefits
Our engineers could simulate the entire well construction process using Well PRO oil well stimulation.
The oil well optimization model was able to function as a digital twin and aid in the analysis of well construction activities.
Rig managers and operation personnel were given model statistics to help them assess the performance of their crews and determine causes for time loss.
Initial results showed that the digital twin could save over 20% of the time.
Future implementation for the oil well construction model
The future implementation of this oil well construction simulation could result in the assessment and prediction of the well’s performance. This profile could be used to drill a virtual well. Future insights could include material handling, resource requirements, logistics, and performance.
Why Transpire
Transpire is a global IT consultancy company with over 15 years of experience in digital solutions, providing businesses with a roadmap to digital transformation. We are experienced in providing top-notch services for mining industries to find the best technical solutions. Our advanced model building and use of technologies yield the best results and help you succeed in your mission.
