Paper: Computerized Automation Of Oilfield Production Operations An Extensive Five-Year Study Into The Costs Benefits

Sun Exploration and Production Company (Sun) conducted an extensive five-year study into the costs and benefits of installing and operating a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system. Installed on the Southeast Levelland Unit (SELU), the SCADA system was operated as a full monitoring system. The SELU is a secondary recovery unit located in the Levelland Field in Hockley County, Texas. The five-year period included 30 months prior to the initial operation and 24 months following full operation of the system. One hundred thirty-four producing wells comprised the data base analyzed in the study. Through the capabilities of the system, Sun's personnel were able to reduce operating costs significantly in several areas. Reduction in subsurface failures per barrel of fluid lifted was 28.6%, and in power consumption per barrel of fluid lifted was 11.3%. An increase in oil and gas production ranging from 3.8% to 13.9% was realized. Actual and potential intangible benefits were also identified. All factors which could significantly influence the determination of the tangible benefits' true value were identified and considered. The factors considered were drilling effects, workover effects, percent water cut increase, increased water production per well, increased water injection, injection to withdrawal ratio (I/W), rod and tubing life, and the chemical program. This paper briefly outlines the Unit operations and the SCADA system installation, explains in detail the five-year study, and highlights other intangible benefits provided by the system.