Managing the Workflow Process with LOWIS™ Software

LOWIS software is structured around a workflow process, which is accessible from all locations within the software. This acts as a guide to the user to assist quick location of necessary tools to accomplish sequential tasks. Some tasks only require working within a single part of the workflow while others span the entire workflow spectrum. The basic Workflow is organized into the following processes:

Configuration - Adding Wells to the System

Pre-built equipment catalogs for easy entry with simple menus for adding, changing and deleting wells on the system make it possible for field personnel to make changes within minutes. Analogs, meters, and discretes can easily be copied for several wells without having to reenter each point. Virtual analogs, discretes, or meters can be created in minutes allowing flexible configurations that meet any user needs.

Surveillance - What is Happening?

Well graphics showing key parameters along with a tabular format of that same data are easily navigated for quick looks through multiple wells. Either detailed information or general information on a well status is available and configurable by the user. Summary status reports, alarm states and histories can all be viewed as well in a clear and concise manner. Within minutes a user can determine what wells are down and, if needed, can remotely change parameter settings in the controller or RTU and restart them online.

Analysis - Is It Performing as Expected?

Using the analytical tools built into LOWIS software provide the user the ability to diagnose problems and interact with information on the latest operating conditions of each well. Specific diagnostics, trends, and analytical reports are available for each individual well type in the "Analytical Workbench". Well test data, pump performance data, and workover histories can all be viewed simultaneously presenting an accurate picture of the factors affecting the overall well's performance.

Work Plan - What Should be Done Next?

Determining the prioritization of workovers based upon simple economic indicators or potential production increases is possible in the Work Planning process. Work plan summary reports showing pertinent information about the well and what is to be done can be e-mailed to the field crew prior to beginning any work. A Backlog report can be accessed and viewed to know the status of each in terms of the approval process.

Services - How Should It be Executed?

Review past jobs performed on each well, the cost of each service event, service provider for that event, equipment changes, and wellbore diagrams reflecting those changes. Evaluate past details on the services performed to empower the user with the information necessary to determine the procedures and equipment that best match the conditions of that well. The Services process allows easy maintenance of the "living" record of each well as events occur on that well including the cost of each operation.

ScoreCard - How Well was It Done?

Performance evaluation of each service or procedure performed on a well is necessary for a continuous process improvement cycle. Determination of the effectiveness of a workover is achieved by comparing the projected financial or production outcome to the actual results in graphical terms or in the form of reports. LOWIS software allows a manager to easily create or access reports and trends showing the effectiveness of operating changes and workovers.

The importance of each step in the process will vary depending on the focus of the enterprise and an individual's job responsibilities. Surveillance and Analysis processes may be more critical to field operators whereas Services and Score Carding would be more beneficial to a manager with P&L responsibility. In contrast, a production engineer with a wide scope of responsibility may have a need to interact with all the processes.

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