Technical Paper
Analysis & Optimization of Intelligent Wells System Design for High Reliability

John A Hother, Proneta ltd; Terry Bussear, Baker Oil Tools; OTC 13033; 2001 Offshore Technology Conference held in Houston, Texas, 30 April-3 May 2001.

Abstract

Reversionary Mode Analysis (RMA) is an innovative and powerful system analysis technique that has been adapted from its aerospace origins for application in oil and gas projects. It has now been used successfully in an intelligent well system evaluation for a deepwater, subsea installation. This paper reports on the results achieved in applying RMA in this project.

In the intelligent well application, the analysis handled all aspects: surface, subsea and downhole. In addition to intelligent wells, the technique is valuable for many other complex oil & gas projects with multiple interfaces. A unique benefit of the RMA process is its ability to combine engineering analysis with economic modelling. The engineering analysis concerns failure modes and their effects on the functionality of the system, and identification of critical components. The economic modelling takes users’ views to evaluate the financial impact of different aspects of system functionality, incorporating for instance financial models of the costs of intervention & costs of deferred production. The combined engineering / economic approach leads to quantitative comparison of different project/design options.

RMA was found to deliver benefits not previously available from alternative techniques for reliability analysis. The conclusions from this project, summarised here, are explained in the paper to show the benefits -

	Structured / organized methodology makes efficient use of the contributors’ time
	Subsystem / Link organization of the analysis matches the system’s modular structure
	Process focused on functionality, expressed in terms of economic/ risk / business impact
	Sound use of best available engineering estimates and knowledge
	Quantitative Output-System Reliability Estimates
	Assessment of Functionality versus Reliability Flexibility of output means the analysis suits several different purposes / audiences
	Evaluates remediation, preventive and reversionary modes
	Consolidated Result - not just one number

The process demonstrated the benefits of specific investments in all the different phases of the project - design, procurement, manufacturing, test, installation & operation - in the context of critical aspects of the system.