PSP
Gas Optima technology helps us meet Peak Season Production Strategy goals.
Our aspiring technology for peak seasonal gas production helps us meet the Kingdom’s demand.
In an era characterized by global dynamics including energy transition and technological advancements, energy security and reliability has never been more important. Aramco’s gas production helps supply the Kingdom with an additional energy source to meet domestic demand, supporting growth and prosperity.
Efficiently overseeing the vast master gas system — feeding several large-scale gas processing plants and spanning over 15,000 km of pipelines and thousands of gas wells spread across numerous gas producing fields — is a complex process. However, this challenge is being met head-on through the recent launch of an aspiring digital surface and subsurface platform known as Gas Optima, winner of a 2022 Aramco Excellence Award.
In 2010, Aramco introduced the gas Peak Seasonal Production Strategy (PSP), which aims to provide additional natural gas on top of the regular monthly gas production commitments.
This strategy aligns with the Kingdom’s plans, providing natural gas mainly as part of the liquid displacement strategy to provide an alternative source for power generation during the peak summer season.
The approach aims to help reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared to using crude oil as fuel for power generation during peak season(s). It also aligns with Aramco’s vision of investing in technology that could support a stable energy transition where different sources of energy are utilized to meet the world’s growing energy demand while reducing GHG emissions.
To ensure supply reliability, PSP simultaneously acts as an emergency protocol to compensate any loss in gas production due to operational upsets or emergency shutdowns.
Revolutionizing peak seasonal production strategy
In the past, generating additional gas was a laborious manual process that consumed time and resources, necessitating analysis of subsurface performance. Engineers used a multitude of data from various wells and fields to meet peak season energy demands without jeopardizing current commitment.
Recent advancements in technology have sparked a digital transformation initiative that is revolutionizing PSP by optimizing gas blend and workflow so that tasks that used to take days can now be carried out in the moment of need.
Today, engineers can analyze each well’s current subsurface and mechanical constraints in a matter of seconds, significantly reducing the time needed to provide the required additional information. This, in turn, ensures a more consistent and reliable delivery of gas resources, enhancing operational performance and overall productivity.
Empowered engineers
The integration of sophisticated platforms like Gas Optima has paved the way for unprecedented efficiency and accuracy in reservoir management. This advanced system empowers engineers with a one-click solution, offering a comprehensive view of the entire gas network in real time.
By harnessing the power of data analytics and machine learning, Gas Optima seamlessly integrates data from multiple sources, simplifying complexities and allowing engineers to make well informed decisions to increase production rates and meet energy demand during peak seasons.
This novel application is not just a tool, it’s a game changer in the energy sector optimizing our operational efficiency and enhancing recovery, while maintaining our reservoirs’ health. Gas Optima harnesses the power of AI providing real-time oversight of each field and gas plant, breaking down the complex interplay of surface and subsurface factors.
— Waleed A. Al Mulhim, senior vice president of Petroleum Engineering and Development
“Its ability to rapidly generate scenarios to meet demand is unparalleled, all achieved in mere seconds. Embracing this AI-driven future, we are setting new standards in the energy industry,” Al Mulhim added
As this digital transformation continues to evolve, it propels the industry toward a more efficient future. Gas Optima’s innovative approach not only meets the challenges of a vast master gas system and overcomes the limitations of individual facilities, it also supports a healthy reservoir network and improves revenue by optimizing the gas mix while providing a reliable energy supply for customers across the Kingdom.
The gas program has historically been a pioneer in capitalizing upon technological breakthroughs and Fourth Industrial Revolution solutions to improve the field production performance and meet the Kingdom’s growing gas demand. Deploying emerging technologies can allow us to cement our strong reputation for upstream excellence — while safely and efficiently providing a reliable supply of energy required for economic growth.
— Adnan A. Al Kanaan, vice president of Gas Development
Substantial value
Since the establishment of the PSP strategy in 2010, gas production has helped reduce domestic consumption of oil by around 254 million barrels of oil equivalent — avoiding the release of up to 28 million tons of CO2 into the atmosphere, in addition to freeing it up for export. For more than a decade, this strategy has helped meet the Kingdom’s ever-growing energy demand.
This year, an all-time peak of PSP utilization has been achieved. The implementation of PSP adds substantial value by supporting cost savings and increased revenue generation— by monetizing additional gas byproducts and avoiding the use of valuable crude oil.
The gas program teams are ready to deal with seasonal demand change and/or react to operational requirements — leveraging engineering, innovation, and technology leadership through Gas Optima and other solutions to meet needs, now and into the future.
— By Abdul Rahman Al-Huthlul, Hassan Almarhoon, and Fatimah Albalawi