xspoc spe - Norris Rods

only focus on wells that are operating
outside of normal parameters. XSPOC
allows a user to setup any combination
of filter conditions to identify these wells
very quickly. Examples of filter conditions
might be “all wells that have fluid
levels greater than 500’” or “all wells
that have overloaded gearboxes.” By
clicking on a single button, the user will
immediately see the wells that meet that
condition based on real-time data. Users
can modify and create their own exceptions,
which is critical because the
useful operational filters can vary from
field to field. The Belridge Field operated
by Aera Energy has several thousand
wells on XSPOC, with hundreds of
operational filter groups that help them
to find critical exceptions. Gary
McQuerry, a well analyst for BP in West
Texas says, “When given a large number
of wells to monitor, XSPOC is very
beneficial in zeroing in on wells with
immediate problems, or wells which
have, for some reason over time, moved
outside of my preset boundaries for
things such as runtime, cycles per day,
min/max loads, etc.”
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Figure 2 - Well diagnostics screen
Once a well is identified as an
exception, the user can drill-down into
screens for individual wells that will
assist in diagnosing the cause of the
problem and in recommending potential
remedies. The well status overview
(Figure 1) is an example of a screen that
provides detailed operational data to the
user in real-time.
Automatic reports can be setup to
print daily, or even e-mailed to the users
to provide them with a summary of any
critical exception groups.
Rod pumping analysis with XDIAG
XSPOC has Theta Oilfield Services’
powerful XDIAG analysis engine built
into it. It allows daily processing of
dynamometer data gathered from
pump-off controllers in order to provide
full diagnostics reporting. It not only
checks for overloaded equipment, but
also uses pattern-recognition technology
in conjunction with logic to give the
users reliable information regarding
pumping condition. Clicking a single
button can instantly give the user a list
of all wells that have traveling valve
leaks, or wells that have severe fluid
pound. The user can then review an
individuals well’s diagnostics on the
Well Diagnostics screen (Figure 2). Once
any problems are identified, XSPOC’s
data can flow seamlessly into Theta’s
RODSTAR design program, so these
problems can be fixed. RODSTAR then
provides the simulation to show how the
well will operate once the equipment is
modified or the operational parameters
are changed. Jeff Minnick, a well analyst
for ConocoPhillips in the Penwell
Field in West Texas states, “The automatic
analysis feature combined with
customized exception groups allow us to
identify downhole problems much
sooner. This gives us the opportunity to
assign the well to the rig schedule much
quicker, resulting in less downtime and
less production loss.”
Economics of rod pumping automation
The combination of pump-off controllers
used with powerful host software like
XSPOC can usually be justified quite
easily in today’s economic environment.
There are generally three components
that drive the economic justification for
automation: (1) increased production,
(2) lowering of well maintenance costs,
and (3) electricity expense savings.
Increased production results from being
able to ensure the well is fully pumpedoff
to minimize pump intake pressure.
There is also an increase in production
associated with reducing failures since
the well is down for repairs less
frequently. Maintenance costs are
reduced because fluid pound can be
minimized, and because the number of
pump strokes is usually reduced. If there
is a well problem, the expert analysis
tells the operator what is actually wrong
with the pumping system. Once the
operator eliminates the problem with an
improved system design, future failures
will be reduced. Finally, the operator can
reduce his electricity costs by running
the wells fewer hours each day, as the
controller will only be operating the well
when fluid is available to be pumped.
Figure 3 shows an example of typical
economic results from projects in
California over the last several years. At
today's oil prices, these projects can pay
for themselves in less than six months.