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Abstract

This paper details the collaboration and well information system BP Exploration (Alaska), Inc. has implemented to enhance communication and data sharing between work groups operating the Prudhoe Bay field. Accessing and sharing well information and maintaining quality communication between geographically separate Operations and Engineering teams is an issue in all oilfield operations. Using web-based interfaces and database stores has allowed BP Alaska to efficiently operate on the North Slope.

Introduction

In a series of articles sponsored by the SPE R&D Advisory Committee, the Management and Information subcommittee noted the following: “The next major challenge in the oil and gas industry is cost-effective, easy access to information allowing individuals or companies to do their job better and more efficiently. In many large companies, strategic data is collated at a very high organizational level. However, gaining full value from this information depends on making it accessible at functional levels companywide that support domain and discipline workflow. With the potential of the big “crew change” in 4 or 5 years, it is essential to develop tools and processes to allow the knowledge of experts to be captured and transferred easily to others in the industry. The vital task for our industry is to make sure we do not loose this knowledge and information, but capture and use it to take us to the next level of performance in the 21st century”1. The subcommittee then lists several areas that would benefit from R&D, including:

• “The seamless integration of workflow processes that require input from and output to a large number of discrete data sources.”

The BP Alaska Operations, Engineering, Drilling and Well Service Groups have implemented a well data management system to facilitate the efficient exchange of information. This system consists of commercially available enterprise quality databases, custom and commercial programs to get data into these databases and custom web applications to allow easy retrieval of information.

BP operates approximately 2100 wells on the north slope of Alaska. The well stock is varied, consisting of natural flow, gas lifted, jet pumped and ESP lifted producers. There are also water, gas and enriched gas injectors. Production rates vary, with wells producing up to 5000 BOPD, 15,000 BWPD and 100 MMCFD. A variety of regulations relating to well operations and integrity management have been promulgated over the years with strict reporting requirements. Managing this large well stock and ensuring compliance with regulations is an objective of the well data management system.

In large scale oilfield operations, organizations tend to adopt a mix of functional and geographical organizational structure. For example, BP Alaska has 2 business units, 10 operating areas, and functional drilling and well service departments working across all the areas. The Engineering staff is located 800 miles from the field and is organized by reservoir recovery mechanism. Getting this mix of area, functional and reservoir organizational structures to function efficiently is another objective of the well data management system.