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Field Development Workflow

This guide walks you through the process of designing, optimizing, and scheduling a Field Development Plan (FDP). You will learn to integrate production forecasts with logistical constraints and model well interference.

Step 1: Establishing the Technical Foundation

A robust plan starts with accurate production data and optimized drilling parameters.

  1. Base Production: Load your existing wells’ production history. This ensures your field-wide forecast starts from historical production data.
  2. Type Wells Integration: Select the Type Well profiles (P10/P50/P90) generated in the Analysis module. These profiles serve as the reference for all future wells in your plan.
  3. The Optimizer (Conventional vs. Unconventional):
    • Conventional Optimizer: Use this for vertical or standard drilling programs. It focuses on individual well optimization within a primary target zone.
    • Unconventional Optimizer: Use this for horizontal, multi-stage fracturing projects. It optimizes complex pad layouts and lateral lengths simultaneously.
    • Define Targets: Set your primary goal (e.g., maximizing Net Present Value or total recovery) and let the engine find the optimal drilling sequence.

Step 2: Spatial Rules & Operational Constraints

Now, you must define the physical and logistical limits of your field.

  1. Wells Setup (Spatial Engineering):
    • Well Spacing: Set the horizontal and vertical distance between parallel laterals. This is critical for preventing over-drainage of the reservoir.
    • Pad Spacing: Define the minimum distance between surface drilling pads to ensure safe operations and efficient surface facility access.
  2. Operational Constraints (Logistics):
    • Rigs Configuration: Define how many Drilling Rigs and Completion Rigs are available. You can set specific “active windows” if rigs are only available for part of the year.
    • Throughput Limits: Set facility constraints (e.g., maximum Gas capacity of 50 MMCF/D) to ensure your drilling schedule doesn’t overwhelm your surface infrastructure.

Step 3: Chronological Scheduling & Interference Modeling

This step includes the dimension of time and the parameters of well-to-well communication.

  1. The Schedule Tool: Use the interactive timeline to sequence your drilling activities. You can prioritize specific pads or areas based on expected productivity.
  2. Parent-Child Interference:
    • In unconventional reservoirs, drilling new “Child” wells near older “Parent” wells often causes a degradation in performance.
    • Configure Degradation: Set the percentage of production loss based on the distance between the parent and child.
  3. Frac Hit Configuration:
    • Detection Modes: Choose how the system identifies potential frac hits:
      • Perpendicular (Perp): Lateral communication.
      • Parallel (Para): Communication along the wellbore.
      • Cross-layer: Communication between different landing zones.
    • Event Response: Define the Shut-in Duration (how long the affected well stops producing) and the Permanent Production Loss caused by the pressure hit.

Step 4: Full-Field Simulation (Calculation)

  1. Run FDP Calculation: Click the Calculation button. The engine performs a multi-variable simulation that integrates your production profiles, spacing rules, rig logistics, and interference logic into a single, cohesive field forecast.
  2. Review the Layouts: Use the FDP Analysis Control panels to inspect the results:
    • Wells Setup View: Verify that the spatial layout matches your intent.
    • Results Dashboard: Review the total field production plateau and ensure your facility constraints aren’t being breached.

Step 5: Iteration & Professional Exporting

  1. Miscellaneous Visualization:
    • Show/Hide Plot: Customize your dashboard by toggling between rig counts, daily production, and cumulative recovery.
    • Layout Management: Switch between different dashboard layouts to focus on either the financial summary or the logistical timeline.
  2. The Final Deliverable:
    • Export to XLSX: Download the production and investment schedule for external analysis.
    • Screenshot: Capture images of your Development Schedule and Aggregate Forecast Plots for project reports.