LOWIS™ Software Modules

productionRT

productionRT is the backbone of LOWIS software. All LOWIS modules are subsets of productionRT and share certain components such as well testing results, production results and summaries, and static well information. Working in productionRT allows the user the ability to see all well types and processes in a single application and environment. An engineer can view production data from an ESP well, an injector well, and a flowing gas well in the same view. Typical field automation systems are usually made up of several independent systems such as a well test system, an ESP system, and a beam pump system. The problem is they are not linked in any way together so if the beam pump well is changed to an ESP well over time, bringing in historical production data for that well can be difficult if not impossible. Using productionRT, well data is saved in a single system, LOWIS software, for the life of that well.

beamRT (Real-Time Beam Pumping)

beamRT provides the tools for the user to perform downhole analysis of beam pumping systems as well as design new pumping systems based on historical data. All types of optimization and monitoring may also be performed to assure maximum production at each well in a single, integrated, real time application.

beamRT Well Configuration

Wells can be easily added, modified, and deleted in the database by field personnel without the assistance of a system administrator. This facilitates having up-to-date information in a field as new wells are drilled and old ones are re-completed, plugged and abandoned. Catalogs of all beam pump manufacturers and related equipment are already stored in the database for easy reference and use.

Monitoring, Status, and Optimal Control for beamRT

beamRT allows the user to look at the status of all the wells individually or collectively in user defined static and dynamic groupings. Key information such as pumping efficiency, electrical costs, and identifying potential wells are made available in an easy fashion.

beamRT allows groups of wells to be further filtered by "exception" conditions such as those in an alarm state, or with low pumping efficiency, high gearbox torque, etc. Wells can be grouped by any criteria, and based on these criteria, the software can automatically identify those wells that are candidates for optimization on a nightly basis.

Using beamRT, the operator can configure each RPC remotely with new parameter settings to optimize the control of each well as well as set points for load malfunction detection. Operational commands such as status scans or starting and stopping a well, or selected group of wells, can also be issued from the user's desktop.

Analysis for beamRT

Besides simply monitoring rod pumped wells for "status", the software allows the user to focus on individual well optimization by including trends, diagnostic reports, intelligent alarming, and a comprehensive analysis workbench. The analysis workbench allows the user to diagnose problems such as pump wear, excess friction, rod overstress, gas compression, gearbox overload, high fluid level, and tubing anchor slippage. There is a wide selection of pre-built trends to help visualize changes in operational data for each well, predict future problems and schedule chemical treatments. Matching dynamometer card to user configurable card libraries and the diagnostic reports permit both the novice and expert user to optimize the production of beam wells.

espRT (Real-Time Electrical Submersible Pumps)

espRT is designed as a tool to help the producer lengthen average pump run life, provide savings in reduced workover costs, and reduce pump repair or replacement costs. espRT provides comprehensive capabilities for ESP well monitoring, analysis and control. With a complete catalog of pump performance curves and a wide selection of multiphase flow analyses, the user can analyze the efficiency of current ESP operations and add or change new well installations with minimal data manipulation or data management issues.

espRT Well Configuration

Wells can be easily added, modified, and deleted in the database by field personnel without the assistance of a system administrator. This facilitates having up-to-date information in a field as new wells are drilled and old ones are re-completed or plugged and abandoned. Catalogs of motors, pumps, cables, and gas separators for all ESP manufacturers are already stored in the database for easy reference and well configuration.

Monitoring, Status, and Optimal Control for espRT

espRT allows the user to look at the status of all the wells individually or collectively in user defined static and dynamic groupings. These groups can be further filtered by "exception" conditions such as those out of service, or with communication failures, in a down state, etc. In any given field, all wells can be grouped by any criteria, and based on these criteria the software can automatically identify wells that are candidates for optimization.

Operational commands such as status scans or starting and stopping a well, or selected group of wells, can also be issued from the user's desktop. The software also gives the user the capability of monitoring and analyzing other external inputs such as pressures from downhole and surface gauges.

Analysis and Design for espRT

espRT provides the user with pre-built charts, graphs, and reports as well as an analysis workbench to aid in problem identification. The analysis workbench allows users to compare the actual pump and formation behavior to the ideal designed conditions over time. In addition to surveillance, this can be useful for checking and optimizing the pump design.

Using the workbench can help identify pump wear, predict remaining pump life, and diagnose the causes of pump failure. In addition, espRT can calculate system efficiency and lifting costs, trend these variables over time, and alert the user when these variables deviate outside preset, acceptable ranges. The software provides a detailed analysis of the operation of each stage in an ESP using a miscible fluid model to insure proper prediction of fluid behavior in fields with gas injection. Performing analysis on a "stage-by-stage" basis can be used to help identify specific portions of the pump that are operating in upthrust or downthrust and could be at risk of failure.

Because espRT provides a graphical presentation of the interaction between the pump performance and the producing formation, the user is also able to detect changes in reservoir deliverability over time.

pcpRT (Real-Time Progressive Cavity Pumps)

pcpRT provides the ability to improve efficiency of progressive cavity pumps by accurately monitoring the pump and controlling the operations from a remote site. The software works with both fixed-speed and variable-speed PCP controllers. It allows the user to identify problems as they occur, assess problems, and even predict future problems. Developed in conjunction with Weatherford Artificial Lift Systems, pcpRT software provides the user with the capability to monitor the performance of a PCP pump in real-time. The software incorporates data from downhole gauges for accurate analysis of abnormal well conditions such as restricted pump inflow.

pcpRT Well Configuration

Wells can be easily added, modified, and deleted in the database by field personnel without the assistance of a system administrator. This facilitates having up-to-date information in a field as new wells are drilled and old ones are re-completed or plugged and abandoned. Catalogs of motors, pumps, etc. for many common pump manufacturers are already stored in the database for easy reference and well configuration.

Analysis and Design for pcpRT

Analysis capabilities of pcpRT include the ability to analyze the performance of progressive cavity pumps in real-time. This is achieved by combining data acquisition and automation with proven engineering techniques. The pump performance can be monitored and analyzed for the current conditions of the well including pressure, temperature and flow rate. The actual pump performance can be compared against the theoretical ideal pump performance curves.

pcpRT Highlights

• Fixed-speed and variable-speed pumps
• Interfaces to downhole gauges
• Remote control of well
• Interface to VFD
• Online pump catalog

efmRT (Real-Time Gas Well Monitoring)

This module provides the ability to accurately monitor gas wells equipped with Electronic Flow Measurement (EFM) devices. It gathers status and operational parameters as well as EFM custody transfer information. It can collect data from devices from multiple vendors on the same communication channel. Efficient use of communication bandwidth enables it to handle hundreds of devices on the same channel. Any "auxiliary input" register in the RTU can be scanned and trended along with the EFM information. It also supports a number of communications media including: radio, cellular, CDPD, and satellite.

efmRT Well Configuration

Wells can be easily added, modified, and deleted in the database by field personnel without the assistance of a system administrator. This facilitates having up-to-date information in a field as new wells are drilled and old ones are re-completed or plugged and abandoned.

efmRT Highlights

• Interface to a variety of EFM controllers
• Custody transfer data log collection
• Local editing of data logs
• Unmodified data logs transferred to accounting system
• Remote control of wells

Well Services Management

The Well Services Management module gives the user the capability of tracking well histories, processes and events, equipment usage, and failure rates. By providing this functionality, the Well Services Management module can help the producer determine best practices and best equipment to meet the needs for any given well or field.

The needs of different users within an oil and gas producer's operations are met with pre-selected views and tools tailored to improve the producer's workflow process. All phases of the well servicing process are tracked to maximize daily control and optimization of well work. Well management processes and failure analysis are used to enable proactive well management.

Failure Optimization

One of the primary ways a producer increases production in a field is by reducing well downtime. Although downtime is most commonly thought of as simply deferred production, downtime can also be due to well intervention work which also reduces monthly production. Well Service Management is designed to help reduce this type of deferred production.

The producer can determine how the number of well interventions can be reduced by using LOWIS software to determine if the required intervention is due to equipment failure or an improper procedure. This results in decreased cost and increased oil production.

Building “Best Practices and Procedures”

All wells are "constructed electronically" by taking equipment components such as casing, tubing, pumps, rods, cables, etc., and listing them in the order they are assembled in the well. As these assemblies are listed, the software automatically builds the well schematic. As workovers occur and equipment is changed in a well, histories of these events are created showing what equipment was replaced and when it occurred. Graphical presentations of pull histories of individual wells or entire fields can be used to benchmark improvements and generate best practices.

Web Reports

LOWIS Web-Reports delivers a new dimension of information possibilities to all levels of the corporation. Using a"publisher/subscriber" hierarchy, LOWIS Web-Reports provides corporate wide access to production and management information generated in LOWIS software.

Any user in the system can become a publisher of reports, charts and analysis done in LOWIS software. This information is then shared on a one-time, or regular basis with designated subscribers. Automated reports to subscriber groups can also be generated.