A-Annulus Operating Envelope (AOE)™
A-ANNULUS OPERATING ENVELOPE (AOE)™
Viking's Well Annulus Operating Windows
Viking Engineering has developed a methodology in which all elements of a well are considered in order to establish an acceptable operating window to be utilized by the owner/operator of the well. This is specific for offshore subsea wells in which the only measurement points for pressure are in the tubing where the hydrocarbons flow (i.e. flowing wellhead pressure) and the ‘A-annulus’ pressure which measures the pressure in the first outer annulus of the well closest to the production tubing. The output using this proprietary methodology/process results in a simple operating envelop which can then be used to safely operate the well.
ANNULUS PRESSURE MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
Initial Well Ramp-up & Initial Startup Planning Optimization
By linking Viking's well operating envelopes with the initial startup flow assurance modeling, we can anticipate well shut-in requirements for annular pressure management operations during the initial startup phase. This then allows for more robust development of initial startup plans and procedures by GATE Energy, taking into account flow assurance risks and mitigation plans.
THERMAL WELL MODELING
Precision in Determining Flowing Wellhead Temperatures
Viking software tools such as WellCat®, that incorporates all components of the well, linked with GATE transient thermal-hydraulic models, such as OLGA® and GATE Prho™, allows us to optimize heat transfer calculations from the sandface to the wellhead. We can then predict and verify thermal-hydraulic performance of the wells being investigated not only during steady-state, but during transient operations (i.e. Initial Well Ramp-up, Well Shutdowns, etc.).
Resources
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When tubing heated by hot formation fluids contacts colder fluids entrapped in the annulus, the result is fluid heating and pressure buildup. Proper well design is critical in subsea wells.
Annulus Pressure Management refers to an engineered approach ensuring that casing annulus pressures do not challenge the well’s integrity during the life of the well.
Well Planning & Configuration, Tubular Design, Evaluation of Connections, WELLCAT/StressCheck/TDAS, Casing & Tubular Design Training Courses, Mill Qualification & Surveillance
Viking Engineering provides operators with a holistic and multidisciplinary approach to hydraulic fracturing and stimulation-related operations. From fracture design to execution and post-treatment analysis, Viking’s approach offers the operator technically supported decisions when conducting fracturing and stimulation operations.
Viking Engineering provides operators with a holistic and multidisciplinary approach to hydraulic fracturing and stimulation-related operations. From fracture design to execution and post-treatment analysis, Viking’s approach offers the operator technically supported decisions when conducting fracturing and stimulation operations.
Viking Engineering provides onsite support for all fracturing and stimulation operations. The onsite Viking team ensures that operations are executed as it was designed and planned while making sure to achieve the project objectives. This gives our clients peace of mind throughout the process.
Viking Engineering has performed many materials selection projects to help operating companies produce oil and gas safely and within budget.
The Viking team merges the mechanical and dynamic thermal-hydraulic aspects to bring a true systems approach to annulus pressure management.
Complete Lifecycle Stress Analysis, Completion Design, Downhole Equipment Evaluation
Finite Element Analysis (FEA), Thermo-hydraulic Modeling, Corrosion and Erosion Modeling, Fracture Mechanics Modeling, Fatigue and Stress Analysis, Thermodynamic Modeling and Fit-for-Purpose Software Design
We support operators in oil spill drills, and offers a standalone, fit-for-purpose solution. This partnership provides seamless engineering support, which results in efficient, more effective planning and execution of source control and oil spill response activities.
GATE developed a comprehensive well operations tool utilizing GATE’s proprietary simulator GATE Prho™ building blocks and Time-lapse Nodal Analysis that allows the operator to:
The SCSSV Leak Rate Calculation tool uses the GATE Prho™ engine to simulate the commonly used SCSSV leak test protocol.
The Shale Gas Well Material Assessment Tool was developed to provide a preliminary guidance for tubing and tree metallurgy selection based on literature review, Prho™ building blocks, and the past project experiences of GATE and Viking Engineering.
Viking offers a 2-day, 3-day and 5-day Tubular Design, Fraccing, Failures and ESP workshops covering basic tubular design concepts, materials, connection selection, performance properties and more. Attendees complete some example design problems in class and are provided with a course manual.