GAS-LIFT, CLOSED-LOOP OPTIMIZATION USING IIOT EDGE TECHNOLOGY

Gas-lift optimization is the process of determining the optimal injection rate for each well within a network supported by a central compression facility. This process is usually an open-loop process utilizing nodal analysis software. In this paper, the authors present an advanced method that performs the optimization process automatically, utilizing new IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) technology with edge devices. IIoT technology provides the ability to implement a closed-loop system by collecting data from multiple sources, running an advanced algorithm to determine the optimal injection rates, writing the setpoints to the well controllers, and analyzing the results using real-time data. A project was conducted on a central compression facility with six compressors supporting a network of 12 active gas-lift wells. The wells were monitored for 94 days before and after the implementation of the new solution. Both quantitative and qualitative research methods were used to determine the overall effectiveness of the closed-loop IIoT gas-lift optimization solution. Data collected proved the algorithm to be accurate, and the closed-loop optimization resulted in improved gas-lift optimization, increased production, as well as a 66% improvement in response time to upset conditions. Based on these findings, the authors recommend the implementation of a secure IIoT architecture, expansion of IIoT solutions, and the development and implementation of a full IIoT support lifecycle.