Remote Real-time Analysis - A Game Changer for Remote Operation Centers

Drilling, completion, production and general surveillance are all areas that benefit greatly from remote real-time analysis, providing significant value to operators through proactive, rather than reactive, responses to challenges during day-to-day operation. Several different disciplines that previously operated separately are today integrated in their work; both in the field and remotely, continual monitoring and remote data analysis includes and integrates areas such as drilling optimization, pressure management, pore-pressure predictions, and wellbore stability. Software models that utilize case-based reasoning and physics, together with real-time drilling and well data, enable immediate situational analysis and trend monitoring. Advice today is provided remotely, requiring fewer personnel at a rig site. However, there are several challenges to remote services with many of these elated to communications issues, a fear of job loss and working outside a comfort zone. What is considered an important development goal for a business might be regarded as a threat for an individual, leading to reduced development within remote services. This paper presents the consequences of an ever-more automated oil field – benefits, challenges and a future outlook.