In a first-ever event for Russia’s oil and gas industry, Gazprom Neft has provided a proposal on oilfield surface facilities for review by Glavgosexpertia Russia in digital format — a 3D information model of a cluster-pad (well-pad) at Gazpromneft-Nopyabrskneftegaz’s Ety-Purovskoye field being submitted in addition to design documentation and the outcomes of engineering surveys.
This 3D cluster-pad model reflects the local terrain, as well as the configuration of engineering networks, pipelines, architectural and structural elements and other field surface facilities. The digital copy also includes a range of non-graphic data, including attribute-based information on the facility being designed.
Representatives from this regulatory body (i.e., Glavgosekspertiza) checked data compatibility between the 3D-model and hard-copy project documentation, as well as compliance with the agency’s standards and regulations. The outcomes of work on the pilot 3D model of the Ety-Purovsky cluster-pad will be taken into account in the department developing its requirements in terms of informational models subsequently accepted for examination. On which basis, Gazprom Neft’s pilot project marks the first step in digital technologies being used in government oversight of capital construction projects in the oil and gas industry.
“We have been using digital modelling — at all stages of field development, from exploration to construction of surface facilities — for some time now. This means we can improve process quality — including in the consistency of design documentation, and in controlling lead-times for this. Gazprom Neft tries to pursue a trajectory of development in its work, and strives to be an industry leader, including in integrating digital solutions into production processes. Which means we are always willing to share our experience with partners, and help establish best practices.”
Vadim Yakovlev Deputy CEO for Exploration and Production, Gazprom Neft
“In order to unleash the full potential of BIM technologies we need to make a determined effort to continue pursuing pilot projects for developing and evaluating capital construction projects based on digital models. Information modelling, alongside data visualisation, means experts can dive right in to studying project materials — which, of itself, significantly cuts the total time spent on project documentation. Added to which, an informational model of field facilities gives experts the opportunity of studying these independently, layer-by-layer, in respect of each area — including foundations, piping systems, isolation valves, equipment operated under pressure, and other high-risk facilities components. But, these days, working with informational models means these need to tie-in directly with specific regulatory requirements — something that would simplify work for both project designers, and regulators. Developing a taxonomy governing construction information, and developing consistent and cohesive requirements governing the use of digital models in examining oil and gas projects, is one of the key tasks that needs to be addressed — with the involvement of both the Ministry of Construction and the Ministry of Energy — in the near future.”
Vladimir Vernigor Deputy Chief, Glavgosekspertiza, Russia
Domestic information-modelling technologies in the oil and gas sector first started to be used in Russia in the 2000s, and were used in designing, building and operating facilities for an integrated gas supply system. Gazprom Neft specialists were among the first in Russia to start applying 3D digital modelling in the company’s production activities.
Within Gazprom Neft, the company’s first information model was used in designing an integrated oil and associated-petroleum-gas (APG) treatment plant at the Badra field, Iraq, in 2012. In Russia, the first Gazprom Neft pilot projects involving information modelling were used in designing field infrastructure for the Novoportovskoye field (Gazpromneft-Yamal LLC, 2015) and for the Urmanskoye field (Gazpromneft-Vostok LLC, 2016), as well as for refining facilities at the Omsk Refinery. All of the company’s production and refining facilities are now designed on the basis of 3D modelling.
The Ety-Purovskoye oil field, one of the largest in the north of Western Siberia, was discovered in 1982 in the Noyabrsk district of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug. The field is geologically complex and heterogenous in structure. Oil is located in Jurassic deposits, including some at depths of more than three kilometres.
