Operational oratories Vision & Challenges SALMAN AL-QABANDI Team Leader, Operation oratories team, Kuwait Oil Company
Salman Al-Qabandi: Biography Currently working in Kuwait Oil Company As team Leader for Operational oratories Team. He is in charge for all laboratories in KOC and all chemical handling management in all facilities in addition to production chemistry studies for surface and sub-surface. He has Bs. Degree in Petroleum Engineering from United States and Master Degree in Chemical Engineering from Kuwait University. he author and co-author for many publication and presentations in many conferences and forums. He received four HSE Chairman and Managing director Awards in 2006, 2013, 2014 and 2016.
Kuwait s Conference Talk Outline Operational oratories History The Vision for the future Plans for improvement and increasing lab capabilities Challenges Examples of Success
Operational oratories History June 2015: Operational laboratories team was created from independent teams Assets Historical capability Recent additions North Kuwait South & East Kuwait West Kuwait Oil oratories Gas oratories Water oratories Lube oil oratory Condensate oratory Quality Control improvements Enhanced capability One Common Team applying consistent processes We look forward to being The leading laboratories in conducting all crude, water, gas and condensate analysis thoroughly, quickly and safely, and in a manner that exceeds our clients requirements and expectation.
Operational oratories Team Leader Operational oratories 267 Staff 4365 Routine tests/day Asset Focal Point Chief Chemist Consultant Team Section New /Plant Studies & Support Chief Chemist S&EK s Chief Chemists x 2 NK s Chief Chemists x 2 WK s Chief Chemist Chemicals Handling Chief Chemist GCs / BS Crude EWDP I & II Gas WPMP GCs / BS Gas SWTP CIPF Crude GCs / BS QC MWIP Crude Bulk Chemical Production Chemist Production Chemist Production Chemist Production Chemist. Tech. I & II Senior. Tech. Senior. Tech. Senior. Tech.. Tech. I & II. Tech. I & II. Tech. I & II Production Chemist
Operational oratories Mission Provide the data that supports KOC activities that lead to safe and reliable operations Provide the data that allows the threats to oil and gas production rates and water injection rates to be understood and managed Ignorance Knowledge Operational oratories Generate quality data Provide tools to make the right decisions on the way forward Threats under control Targets met
Data from SEK laboratory Water Samples 400 tests per day are conducted for plant and wells: OIW, TSS, TDS, ph, Conductivity, Salinity, Particles Size, Dissolved Oxygen, Bacteria Count, Chloride, Cationic & Anionic species, Flash point for lube oil. No. of Staff: 1 Snr..Tech 3 technicians (per shift) Crude Samples 900 Tests per day are conducted such as Salt in crude, Water Cut, API, Viscosity, TAN (Total Acid Number), H 2 S in crude No. of Staff: 1 Snr..Tech 6 technicians (per shift) Gas Samples Gas Compositions by GC, Condensate quality by colour, dew point (all staff contribution) chemists /Snr..Tech/ Techs-1
Operational oratories Interfaces EOR Team Purchasing Water Handling Well Surveillance Exploration Studies One Operational oratories Team Supporting and Serving Field Development Gas Operation HSE MS&R Production Operation Research and Technology
Operational oratories Future Plans Improve laboratory capabilities Upskill manpower resources Improve chemical management Equipment Procedures Working conditions Staff training to IOC best practice Chemical selection Chemical performance monitoring Chemical optimisation Better Manage Production Assurance Threats Examples of Production Assurance threats Scale Separation Corrosion Clear understanding of threats Clear accountabilities Clear strategies Clear plan implementation Bacteria Water management Asphaltenes
Operational oratories: New Capabilities planned Enhanced Oil Recovery PVT Heavy Oil Aqueous geochmeistry New Capabilities Planned Chemicals Testing Mobile oratory Drilling mud & cement Bacteria testing
Challenges Proper Space and Furniture Right Equipment Requirements collaboration from all assets Proper Storage Area Unified Equipment Budget
Examples of Success Reduction in reliance on 3 rd party labs Gas condensate sampling and quality checks Dew Point measurements Lube Oil analysis Chemical Optimisation Demulsifier dosage tracked and unnecessary consumption reduced Integrity Management chemicals optimized Chemical compatibility tests clarified Biocide injection controlled Enhanced Capability Mobile lab under commissioning Support EOR field trials Support geochemistry assessment of reservoir fluids Assess Export Crude Specification elements to identify major source (eg S, Water in oil) Discussions ongoing to develop cement and mud lab Continuous improvement QC system developed ISO accreditation upgrade surveys carried out Apply Six Sigma Methods Kaizen Methods New chemical storage facilities planned
Key messages Data is key to KOC achieving oil production, water injection and HSE targets Operational oratories currently provide most of the laboratory requirements to generate these data and aim to further reduce dependency on 3 rd party labs, saving money and providing additional career paths to lab staff Operational oratories are introducing activities that aim to improve standards to match those of top Independent Oil Companies
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