Abstract:
Underground Gas Storage (UGS) wells are essential assets in the energy security and sufficiency strategy of any nation. UGS wells present a complex set of equipment that are carefully fit together to create the functioning well envelope responsible for maintaining the well within its working limits. The set of equipment forming the well envelope are referred to as well barriers and it is essential to maintain them in an integral and functioning status. The ongoing advancement in technology, computer science and in remote monitoring has enhanced the efficiency of oil and gas production and the maintenance of new and old assets [1] [2]. Continuous and real time analysis of well barrier status allows to capture the smallest details in the functioning of the well barrier as well as timely intervention, if necessary. [3] introduces a modern integrated logging suite used for the identification of possible leaks in the casing or in other elements of UGS wells. Digital Twins have led the way in this regard allowing operators to drill and operate the well virtually alongside the real operation. Well interventions, planned to restore the integrity of a well barrier, can be implemented virtually first, and the results of the intervention can be evaluated. This helps save time and cost. Digital Twins simplify the management of UGS wells since their performances are easily monitored, allowing management levels of oil companies to manage many wells efficiently [4]. In [5] the development of an assisting production decision technology based on DT technologies is shown; the model is divided in different layers that concern data, model, simulation, logics, and result visualization. In [6] the description of the digital twin of wellbore, used to monitor in real-time more than 230 production and injection wells. The reliability of the Digital Twins allowed the use of the model as digital instrumentation during operations performed on wellbores that do not have sensors. An operator in [7], instead, presents the digital twin of the production phase of a deep-water wellbore on the Brazilian coast, and the successful results of a real-time case study. Copyright 2024, Society of Petroleum Engineers.
