Autonomous intervention delivers new oilfield efficiency

Across more than 50 runs, use of Neuro™ autonomous solutions achieved up to 25% faster running speeds and close to 30% reduction in speed variance. This demonstrated that autonomous conveyance can exceed the performance of experienced operators, while increasing the predictability and safety of outcomes.

Before automation, wireline and slickline operations were conducted manually using a joystick to control the conveyance speed and depth while adjusting tension. This led to high variability in interventions based on individual operator skill, preferences, and risk profile. It also became an obstacle to continuous improvement: Each new best practice or improvement required extensive crew training with increasing complexity and the chance of human error.

In 2019, Aker BP and SLB partnered to develop digitalized autonomous wireline solutions as part of their Intervention and Stimulation Alliance initiatives. Their objective: to save time, improve performance, and increase quality and predictability while also reducing operational risk, human error, and crew workloads.

A key tool to further these goals was Neuro autonomous solutions, a combination of hardware and software that delivers several advanced, flexible, and extensible features:

• Orchestration. The solution uses job objectives to create an end-to-end intervention plan. As real-time measurements are received, the solution identifies any necessary changes and dynamically adjusts the plan as needed.
• Advanced modeling. Real-time models help ensure reliable operations. For example, a tension model is run in real time based on depth, speed, and job parameters to make sure that weight limits are continuously updated to the correct values.
• Reduced hardware footprint. Most automation projects require major investment in hardware upgrades. The Neuro solution uses existing legacy hardware to reduce the footprint.
• Extensibility. The Neuro solution is based on individually containerized applications that can be easily reused and extended for new applications, such as autonomous coiled tubing interventions.

During the first 15 months of deployment, more than 50 automated runs were completed with both slickline and wireline conveyances. Analysis of comparable slickline operations showed that automation achieved up to 25% faster running speeds than manual interventions and close to 30% reduction in speed variance. This demonstrates that the autonomous system can exceed the performance of experienced operators, while increasing the predictability and safety of the operations.

For more details on how autonomous slickline and wireline conveyance improves offshore performance, see SPE-215586-MS.