Modernizing Plants with Pervasive Sensing™ Infrastructure to Improve Operational Productivity

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Modernizing Plants with Pervasive Sensing™ Infrastructure to Improve Operational Productivity     Monday, 22nd June 2015 2 pm Singapore Time

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Abstract Lots of time is spent on manual data collection and many points are not measured at all, in all plants across all industries. To date the primary automation has delivered better and better process control and safety in plants. However, to reduce manual data collection and to cover "missing measurements", a second layer of automation is required. Scheduled to coincide with the Productivity Day, this seminar will demonstrate how to modernize your plant with a second layer of automation without replacing the control system. A Pervasive Sensing™ infrastructure based on WirelessHART for existing plants to meet new challenges such reducing field operator rounds to read gauges and sight level glasses, automating offsite tank farm storage tank, as well as process troubleshooting. Most plants are already using WirelessHART in ad-hoc applications. By deploying a plant-wide WirelessHART infrastructure, plants can further improve energy efficiency, reliability, maintenance, productivity, and reduce HS&E incidents.

Topics Covered

• Improving Productivity o Reduce operator rounds o Automating offsite tank farm storage tank o Automating wellhead o Valve and damper position o Process troubleshooting • Non-disruptive Plant Modernization • Pervasive Sensing™ Infrastructure

Who Should Participate? People responsible for the operations, process, and productivity of their plants.

Jonas Berge Director of Applied Technology Emerson Process Management – Singapore

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Asphaltene dispersant treatment program saves well from abandonment

Asphaltene dispersant treatment program saves well from abandonment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oil production in an east Texas field had been on the decline for a number of years. The wells had been activated and hot oiled numerous times throughout their lives, with little production gain. Analysis of the oil revealed it contained 20% to 35% asphaltenes.

Baker Hughes recommended treatment with PAO72 asphaltene dispersant to stimulate production. "We targeted one well for the treatment program," says Graham F. Smith, product line manager for Baker Hughes Upstream Chemicals. "The pump was stopped, and 165 gallons of an aromatic solvent was pumped down the tubing. Then, 55 gallons of PAO72 asphaltene dispersant was diluted in 20 barrels of produced oil and pumped down the tubing, followed by a 12-barrel oil overflush."

The well was then allowed to soak for 12 hours. The following day, 80 barrels of produced oil were pumped down the tubing and the treatment was allowed to soak for an additional 24 hours. The following day, production was resumed.

"After its initial peak, the well's production leveled off at 600% above pretreatment levels," Smith says. "The PAO72 asphaltene dispersant treatment program enabled the well to continue to be viable and produce, instead of being abandoned."

Performance Report: SCREEN PULSE Fluid and Cuttings Separator Cuts Costs

Performance Report: SCREEN PULSE Fluid and Cuttings Separator Cuts Costs Nearly $107,000 and Saved an Additional $45,000 in Recovered Drilling Fluids

Challenge: The operator requested a solution to reduce the exorbitant and steady rising costs of managing the high volume of oil based cuttings generated from its drilling program in North America, drilling in the Woodford Shale basin. The operator was currently using a cuttings process package that included a mobile VERTI-G cuttings dryer and centrifuge to dry their cutting for transportation at a cost of $8.50 per foot @ 12,500' of OBM section.

Solution: Upon the recommendation of M-I SWACO, the operator selected the uniquely engineered SCREEN PULSE fluid and cuttings separator in conjunction with M-I SWACO's High-capacity, long-life composite shaker screens, which has demonstrated its capacity to dry cuttings that meet or exceed the EPA 9095B paint filter liquids test, recover more oil base fluid and reduce the overall volume and costs of waste disposal. The SCREEN PULSE fluid and cuttings separator was specially configured to meet the space constraints of any location with its small 27" x 33" inch foot print.

Result: The SCREEN PULSE fluid and cuttings separator proved to be the ideal solution, reducing the operator's cumulative drilling waste management costs by $106,250 in the OBM interval. An additional saving of $45,600 was generated by the recovery of 285 bbl of oil based mud in the 20 day, 12,500' interval that was reused in the active drilling fluid system.

Download: SCREEN PULSE Fluid and Cuttings Separator Cuts Costs Nearly $107,000 (0.15 MB PDF)

No widespread harm to drinking water from hydraulic fracturing

 Hydraulic fracturing activities have not led to widespread harm to drinking water in the United States, but the controversial drilling technique could affect drinking water if safeguards are not maintained, the government said Thursday.

A draft report released by the Environmental Protection Agency found several specific instances where poorly constructed drilling wells and improper wastewater management affected drinking water resources. But it also said the number of cases was small compared to the large number of wells that use hydraulic fracturing, better known as fracking.

The assessment tracked water used throughout the fracking process, from acquiring the water to mixing chemicals at the well site and injecting so-called "fracking fluids" into wells, to collection of wastewater, wastewater treatment and disposal.

The report identified several vulnerabilities to drinking water resources, including fracking's effect on drought-stricken areas; inadequately cased or cemented wells resulting in below-ground migration of gases and liquids; inadequately treated wastewater discharged into drinking water resources; and spills of hydraulic fluids and wastewater.

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Improved drilling techniques have led to a surge in fracking in recent years that has fueled a nationwide boom in production of oil and natural gas, as fracking wells sprout up from California to Pennsylvania. Fracking involves pumping huge volumes of water, sand and chemicals underground to split open rocks to allow oil and gas to flow.

Improved technology has allowed energy companies to gain access to huge stores of oil and natural gas underneath states from coast to coast but has raised widespread concerns that it might lead to groundwater contamination and even earthquakes.

EPA officials said the draft assessment will give state regulators, tribes, local communities and industry an important resource to identify how best to protect public health and drinking water resource.