【系列專題】頁巖油氣復蘇：高產量背后的新技術（4）

CHEMICAL INJECTION SYSTEM HELPS REDUCE WELL FAILURES

A successful production chemical program that leads to reduced costs, greater efficiencies and increased well productivity is essential to remaining competitive in the market. The Ayre-Flo System, a chemical injection technology, is optimizing well performance by challenging traditional application methods. Pro-Ject Chemicals’ Ayre-Flo System uses a pressure-balancing technique to apply chemicals into oil wells throughout the day using virtually no moving parts. The steel chemical tank is fully contained and requires no outside gas supply or power source for operations. A patented process of integrated flush sequences ensures consistent chemical residual levels. With Sync Mode, the pump-off controller initiates the chemical treatment, moving fluid for the flush. Operations are SCADA-enabled with two-way command and control, providing real-time data. An operator recently conducted a field review comparison in the Wolfberry Formation with more than 400 wells and three chemical vendors. Each vendor had been treating wells for more than a year, and the severity of downhole conditions was relatively consistent across the field. The wells with the Ayre- Flo chemical injection method had an average run time of 260 days compared to 140 days for the standard treating methods, resulting in significantly reduced well failures and overall total cost of ownership.

LUBRICATION TREATMENT FOR ARTIFICIAL LIFT SYSTEMS

While the oil and gas economy continues to recover, the industry emphasis is on finding new solutions to old production challenges such as increased efficiencies and reduced operating expenses. Production lubricant ProFlow is offered by ProOne for artificial lift well systems. Results are field-proven in live pilot tests with some of the world’s largest oil producers. The lubricant is a polarized bonded thin film nanotechnology designed for production wells. Positively charged at the molecular level, the treatment bonds to all metal surfaces of rod, tubing and pump components to reduce friction, torque and drag by up to 80%. Among the direct behavior changes resulting from these reductions are increased pump efficiency, production volume and pump-off times, with a reduction in rod load and flowline pressure. After almost two years of testing in all pump types and well situations for major producers, this fluid treatment is serving a rapidly expanded market with new pilot testing planned or already commenced at other well-known majors and independents.

CLOUD-BASED SOFTWARE OFFERS ENHANCED FIELD DATA CAPTURE CAPABILITIES

MyQuorum Field Insights is the first cloud-based software for end-to-end field data capture, operations management and production reporting. Using a mobile app that runs on any iOS or Android tablet, field workers can capture information such as oil and water run tickets, maintenance, common services and treatments. Information collected in the field automatically syncs with web-based dashboards that offer production reporting, forecasting, key performance indicators, downtime analytics and lease operating statement analytics. In addition, energy companies can integrate myQuorum Field Insights with reservoir systems to track production targets and variances. The latest release of the program offers an advanced allocation engine to distribute oil, gas, water and components. A new interactive user experience lets users visually create and manage allocation flow networks with easy-to-use templates and dragand- drop tools. Through integration with accounting systems, myQuorum Field Insights lets users create customizable allocation reports including regulatory, joint venture and royalty reports. The program makes it possible for energy companies to eliminate manual paper-based processes, optimize well performance, ensure run ticket accuracy and reduce downtime. The net result is cost savings and higher profits. For example, one Oklahoma City-based E&P company saved more than $600,000 per month across 25 well sites using myQuorum Field Insights.

AUTOMATED ECOSYSTEM PROVIDES PRODUCERS WITH ACTIONABLE INFORMATION

Data are the lifeblood of the digital oil field. Data can help producers improve nearly all aspects of their oil and gas production, from maximizing equipment performance and meeting production targets to lowering operating costs. In many operations, however, data are still collected manually and confined in silos, with limited integration between systems. In other cases, it’s a blowout: Too much data overwhelms operators and lacks the context needed to help them make informed decisions. The ConnectedProduction offering from Rockwell Automation creates an intelligent automation ecosystem, providing producers with actionable information at their fingertips. The ConnectedProduction environment brings the digital oil field to life by

1.Connecting production equipment, devices and systems;
2.Seamlessly integrating data; and
3.Transforming data into actionable operational information.

Once in place, the offering allows producers to visualize and control all aspects of production. By collecting the right data and contextualizing it into real-time diagnostics, production trends and key performance indicators, operators can better understand equipment performance and make more informed decisions. This can help producers maximize operations performance, optimize production facilities, enhance production agility and reduce downtime.

FRICTION-DRIVEN PILES DELIVER SOLID PUMPING UNIT FOUNDATIONS

A stable foundation is essential for rod-pumped wells to protect surface equipment and to keep production flowing. Even a slight shift in alignment of the pumping unit base can cause premature wear or damage to the polished rod, wellhead equipment and pumping unit components. In regions that experience seasonal freeze-thaw cycles or in fields with soggy, unstable ground, soil movement often results in detrimental shifting of the pumping unit base. For operators this translates to increased operational costs and environmental problems. Weatherford offers a friction-driven piling system that eliminates shifting of the pumping unit base in unstable soil conditions. This patent-pending total engineered system distributes the load of the surface equipment among several hollow piles that are driven to achieve precise load-bearing capacities. Movement or load changes in the surrounding soil will not cause a friction-driven piling base to settle or shift—even in permafrost or difficult geological conditions. Friction-driven piling systems save operators significant time and money compared with gravel pads or helical piling systems. For operators looking to enhance operational safety, reduce costs and downtime, prolong equipment life, prevent pumping unit settling and eliminate foundation resets, friction-driven piling foundations provide an economical solution.