Measuring frac completion effectivity by pump uptime is outdated—actual efficiency calls for a redefinition of what effectivity really means. Reliance on automated management techniques to keep up steady pumping—basically the efficiency of duties remotely to attenuate human intervention—doesn’t considerably optimize throughput effectivity or reduce the scramble of transitions.
TechnipFMC’s iComplete ecosystem
As an alternative, implementation of an autonomous stress management ecosystem, particularly in conducting simul-frac operations, is required to intelligently and autonomously management stress and transitions.
Autonomous frac completions ship smarter capabilities and extra significant effectivity good points than simply the implementation of automated steady pumping.
A better metric for frac completion effectivity
First, a better metric must be outlined for completion operations effectivity, which requires conserving in thoughts that this isn’t about controlling the frac; it’s about managing the wells and maximizing throughput. Positive, steady pumping is simple to measure. However what’s being constantly pumped and what’s the time required?
TechnipFMC’s iComplete® high-performance floor stress containment ecosystem is an autonomous, built-in platform that closes the loop between horsepower and the reservoir. It supplies operators with the reassurance of a steady sand-flow assure—outlined as proppant supply to the fracture proceeds uninterrupted till the stage is full. This reliability encompasses crucial components reminiscent of compatibility with all pumpers, the trade’s most reliable finish connections, and autonomous operations that take away personnel from the pink zone, amongst others.
Sand-flow effectivity, in flip, drives time effectivity by minimizing rig-up time and nonproductive time (NPT). Mixed with the mitigation of failures and security dangers and enhancements in sustainability and economics achieved with autonomous iComplete completion operations, these efficiencies assist guarantee frac job success—even when a number of stakeholders are current on location, which immediately impacts the unfold fee (i.e., the entire every day price of apparatus and personnel).
From automation to autonomy: What’s the distinction?
At TechnipFMC, we agree that automation is ideally suited to streamlining repetitive duties, which does contribute to effectivity. However automation nonetheless requires micromanagement by the operator, whereas autonomous techniques drive effectivity by reliably performing predefined sequences of repetitive duties—whether or not at one or a number of wells or pads—independently of human intervention, which not solely eliminates the chance of introducing error but in addition frees operators to concentrate on high-value strategic work.
Our iComplete high-performance floor stress containment ecosystem allows full autonomy by means of its CyberFrac® digital spine together with superior missile and nicely techniques to understand effectivity targets by means of operational safety and outcomes, sand-flow efficiencies, and enhanced security for personnel concerned in high-risk actions.
Operators retain management inside the digital CyberFrac autonomous platform as wanted, whereas the iComplete ecosystem autonomously handles the quite a few routine, extremely configurable duties of nicely completion operations, significantly throughout multistage pad-to-pad deployment and simul-fracs.
iComplete autonomy drives quicker, safer, smarter simplification
Along side its ecosystem design, iComplete deployment simplifies operations to spice up effectivity by decreasing connections by 90% and elements by 50%, which contributes to operational effectivity by means of quicker rig-up, fewer upkeep cycles, and fewer danger to the operational schedule, totaling 30% decrease prices.
Key expertise techniques driving this effectivity are:
- HyperFrac™ superior modular missile system eliminates the operational downtime and tractor trailer motion of pump swaps by permitting upkeep by means of the heretofore unattainable isolation of pump banks. By compartmentalizing pump banks, HyperFrac allows scheduling upkeep—eliminating the frenzy to swap out when pumps fail.
- Distant frac superior maintenance-free nicely techniques leverage PadFlex™ high-pressure versatile pipe expertise to simply join a number of frac pads and effectively increase simultaneous fracturing operations. Shifting horsepower and paying surcharges for single-well frac operations are eradicated, with further important price financial savings delivered by means of 97% fewer connections that drive 50% quicker rig-up.
- The extraordinarily low friction issue of the PadFlex interior liner delivers the trade’s lowest stress drop, which together with excessive mechanical resistance to erosion, permits circulation at 80 ft/s. PadFlex not solely flows quicker but in addition safer, with finish connection clamps utilizing our proprietary sealing expertise to offer an trade first: zero catastrophic separations.
A further enticing effectivity choice is deploying the iComplete ecosystem with {an electrical} energy system for larger operational sustainability whereas eliminating the NPT related to hydraulic valve operation and the prices for diesel gasoline and related labor. Our electrical energy system runs on completely minimal energy drawn from the cushion generated for frac execution. By enabling using electrical actuators with the iComplete ecosystem, failure modes are lowered by as much as 90%. Electrical-operated valve operation is extremely predictable—8 seconds each time, no matter temperature or location on the pad.
The ability of much less
Autonomous pressure-control techniques allow unconventional operators to do extra with much less downtime, much less handbook oversight, and fewer personnel in crucial pathways whereas reaching beforehand unobtainable efficiencies in sand slurry supply. This shift to much less equals extra effectivity is crucial as operators look to standardize and scale throughout their fleets for higher outcomes and economics.
Take into account: Autonomous expertise isn’t about changing folks—it’s about bettering operational efficiency by refocusing them to the place they’ll make a real distinction. The autonomous iComplete ecosystem can launch two folks per shift, per location. That’s 4 fewer every day commutes together with per diems and onsite dangers—and simply the labor price alone, a lot much less the danger averted, can compensate for autonomous system implementation.
Rigorously examined for deployment globally
The autonomous iComplete high-performance floor stress containment ecosystem was developed and proved within the extremely demanding North American market and is seamlessly appropriate with any pumper or fracturing unit supplier. It’s now accessible for operators worldwide throughout rising unconventional performs.
From proving ideas to scaling throughout operations, the iComplete ecosystem autonomously ensures 95%+ sand-flow effectivity, enabling productiveness and security enchancment past mere automation-enabled outcomes. Now’s the chance for operators to maneuver previous the automation label to implement autonomy in nicely completions and obtain precise high-rate pumping effectivity with sand-flow continuity.
