Implementation of automation processes for oil production at the deposit allows to increase hydrocarbons recovery ratio, decrease well operating maintenance costs and cut down idle well maintenance.
Automated systems monitor and change operation modes of well, pumpers, all units of oil-gathering complex located on the surface in real time. At that, no significant staff is required for process equipment control.
Using automated systems for oil production, individual operating mode for each well (pumper) as well as for engineering facilities group is set. Such work “synchronization” of several facilities leads to even hydrocarbons recovery, decreases production cost, reduces equipment wear and, on the contrary, increases production efficiency.
Automatic monitoring equipment is also necessary for immediate response to equipment operation in case of emergency situations fraught with failures. For example, pumping unit rods break, cable insulation fault at the electric submersible pump, discharge line faults or change of pressure inside them, finally, sudden power cutoff.
Processes automation during oil and gas treatment
Above-ground oil-gathering complex is also equipped with automatic systems controlling processes of feedstock treatment for sending to processing plants.
The following process equipment operates in the automatic mode.
- Separators where oil and water separation takes place. Devices tracking current values of feedstock amount and pressure level. If specified factors are exceeded, production intake is stopped. Some units are equipped with controllers controlling balance between phases for subsequent water discharge.
- Oil treatment facility (OTF). Measuring instruments are responsible for process automation. They define water and end product levels, track pressure and temperature. With excessive moisture, water and oil mixture is sent to additional treatment.
- Oil delivery facility. Feedstock is sent here for subsequent transportation to processing plants. Devices measure amount of oil sent (by volume and weight), determine moisture in released products in order to prevent “off-spec products” leaving from the production field, control density. To study fluid physical and chemical properties samples are taken to perform their analysis in laboratory conditions.