WO2017211931A1

WO2017211931A1 - Method for providing a field model

Info

Publication number: WO2017211931A1
Application number: PCT/EP2017/063920
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bjørn SUNDBY; Thomas Fiskum BEMBRIDGE; Svein Aage OPSAL; Vidar Nicolaysen; Andrew CAPPELLO
Original assignee: Fmc Kongsberg Subsea As
Priority date: 2016-06-09
Filing date: 2017-06-08
Publication date: 2017-12-14

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for providing a field model (10) of a field installation (1). First, an initial field model (10) of the field installation (1) in the planning phase is provided, where the field model (10) comprises well production device models (20) of well production devices (2) and a control system model (110) of a control system (100). A unique identifier (ID_20) is assigned to each well production device model (20) in the field model (10). The field model (10) is then connected to the control system (100). After installation of the well production devices (2) and the control system (100), the well production devices (2) and the control system (100) are configured according to information in the field model (10). Status and inventory information about the well production devices (2) and the control system (100) are retrieved. Finally, the field model (10) is updated or verified based on the retrieved status and inventory information.

Description

METHOD FOR PROVIDING A FIELD MODEL

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method for providing a field model of a field installation. The present invention also relates to a computer device for providing a field model of the field installation and a field modelling system comprising a field model of a field installation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In an initial phase of the development of an oil/gas field, seismic data and results from test drillings are used to determine the number of wells, the location of each well and the expected specification for the installation needed in order to produce the oil and/or gas from the field.

In the next step, the installation is planned. Here, all the devices and systems needed in the installation are planned and designed. Today, most of these devices are custom-made for each such oil and/or gas field. There are many reasons for this, the operator of the field may want particular features, the country in which the field is located may have particular regulations, etc. However, the custom-making of all these devices in a field installation increases the costs for the respective devices considerably.

The object of the present invention is to simplify, and to reduce the costs of, the planning and developing an oil/gas installation for an oil/gas field.

In subsea oil/gas fields, the trees of the oil/gas wells are typically installed in a first operation, and then additional equipment is installed onto the trees in a subsequent operation. The additional equipment may be communication and control equipment, flow control modules (such as chokes), sensors etc. Often, many units of such additional equipment are installed to different trees in the same oil/gas field.

However, after the installation of the additional equipment, the information about which tree it was installed on, is often lost.

Hence, another purpose of the invention is to improve the traceability of the different components of the installation, including information about serial numbers, part numbers and revisions numbers, including software versions and software configurations, of the equipment that is actually installed.

Another purpose of the invention is to provide a field model in which the inventory of the field installation is updated. Hence, it will be possible to check the field model for status and amendments of the field installation. Another purpose of the invention is to simplify handling of swap/repair of equipment after initial installation. This invention makes to possible to store all relevant information of the installed equipment in such a way that it is possible to ensure a swap/repair which is an exact replica of the equipment installed before the repair.

Equipment in such oil/gas installations is increasingly using software, for example in sensors, in controllers, computers etc. One object of the invention is to render it possible to update software in such equipment and to verify the software version in such equipment. Another purpose of this invention is to make it possible to identify, without manual work, where equipment with a known fault or vulnerability is located, by filtering on serial numbers, part numbers, revisions numbers, etc.

Another purpose of this invention is to have one common data model representation of an oil/gas field (the "Field Model") that all applicable sub-systems and tools using such information can relate to, and keep updated, rather than having several such data model representations for a field which easily can become inconsistent. Today, manual work is typically needed to move information between such different data models with partly overlapping information.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method for providing a field model of a field installation, comprising the steps of: a) providing an initial field model of the field installation in the planning phase, where the field model comprises well production device models of well production devices and a control system model of a control system; b) assigning a unique identifier to each well production device model in the field model; c) connecting the field model to the control system; after installation of the well production devices and the control system, performing the steps of: d) configuring the well production devices and the control system according to information in the field model; e) retrieving status and inventory information about the well production devices and the control system; f) updating or verifying the field model based on the retrieved status and inventory information.

In one aspect, step a) further comprises:

- providing at least some of the well production device models in the field model with active unit models of active units provided in the well production devices and where step b) further comprises:

- assigning a unique identifier to each active unit model. In one aspect, the method further comprises the steps of:

- providing at least some of the well production device models in the field model with communication unit models of communication units provided in the well production devices; where the communication units are connected to at least some of the active units;

where step b) further comprises:

- assigning a unique identifier to each communication unit model; and

where step e) further comprises retrieving status and inventory information from the active units via the communication units .

In one aspect, the step of retrieving status and inventory information comprises:

- sending a status and inventory request from the control system to at least one of the communication units or to at least one of the active units; and

- sending the status and inventory information from the at least one communication units or the at least one active unit to the control system upon receiving the status and inventory request.

In one aspect, the method comprises the step of:

- updating a software item on a communication unit or on an active unit via the communication unit from the control system;

- sending an update confirmation request to the updated communication unit or the updated active unit from the control system;

- updating the field model based on the result from the update confirmation request.

In one aspect, the method comprises the step of:

- updating a hardware item of a communication unit or an active unit;

- updating the field model based on the result from the update confirmation request. In one aspect, step a) further comprises the steps of

- providing field information about the oil/gas field;

- providing a library of standardized well production devices as well production device models; - selecting standardized well production device models from the library based on the field information;

- storing the selected standardized well production device models in the field model.

In one aspect, the steps of selecting and storing the standardized models are performed by a software program installed on a computer device.

In one aspect, the method is further comprising the steps of:

- requesting input from a user from the computer device to perform the selection between two or more options if more than one standardized well production device model in the library has a suitable property range when compared with the field information.

In one aspect, the method is further comprising the step of:

- raising a notification from the computer device to the user if none of the standardized well production device models has a suitable property range when compared with the field information. In one aspect, the method is further comprising the step of designing a custom-made well production device model of a well production device with a suitable property range based on the field information; and, storing the custom-made well production device model in the field model.

The present invention also relates to a computer device for providing a field model of a field installation where the computer device is configured to perform the method above.

The present invention also relates to a field modelling system comprising a field model of a field installation, where the field model, in a planning phase, comprises:

- a control system model of a control system;

- well production device models of well production devices;

where a unique identifier is assigned to each well production device model in the field model;

where, after installation of the well production devices and the control system, the field modelling system is configured to configure the well production devices and the control system according to information in the field model;

where the field modelling system is configured to retrieve status and inventory information about the well production devices and the control system;

where the field modelling system is configured to update or verify the field model based on the retrieved status and inventory information. In one aspect of the field modelling system, at least some of the well production device models in the field model is provided with active unit models of active units provided in the well production devices and where a unique identifier is assigned to each active unit model.

In one aspect of the field modelling system, at least some of the well production device models in the field model is provided with communication unit models of communication units provided in the well production devices; where the

communication units are connected to at least some of the active units and where a unique identifier is assigned to each communication unit model; and where the field modelling system is configured to retrieve status and inventory information from the active units via the communication units . In one aspect, the field modelling system is configured to send a status and inventory request from the control system to at least one of the communication units or to at least one of the active units; and to receive the status and inventory information from the at least one communication units or the at least one active unit. In one aspect, the field modelling system is configured to:

- update a software item on a communication unit or on an active unit via the communication unit from the control system;

- send an update confirmation request to the updated communication unit or the updated active unit from the control system;

In one aspect, the field modelling system is configured to:

- send an update confirmation request to the updated communication unit or the updated active unit from the control system after an update of a hardware item of a communication unit or of an active unit;

- update the field model based on the result from the update confirmation request.

In one aspect, the field modelling system comprises:

- field information about the oil/gas field;

- a library of standardized well production devices as well production device models;

where the field modelling system is configured to:

- selecting standardized well production device models from the library based on the field information;

- store the selected standardized well production device models in the field model.

In one aspect, the field modelling system is configured to select the standardized well production device models automatically.

In one aspect, the field modelling system is configured to request input from a user to perform the selection between two or more options if more than one standardized well production device model in the library has a suitable property range when compared with the field information.

In one aspect, the field modelling system is configured to raise a notification to the user if none of the standardized well production device models has a suitable property range when compared with the field information.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail with reference to the enclosed drawings, where:

Fig. 1 illustrates a subsea field installation schematically;

Fig. 2, 3 and 4 illustrates simplified field models connected to the control system; Fig. 5 illustrates a well production device in the form of a Christmas tree; Fig. 6 illustrates a model of the device in fig. 5 schematically; Fig. 7 illustrates how the field model is achieved;

Fig. 8 illustrates a flow chart of a preferred method of the invention.

It is now referred to fig. 1, where a subsea field installation 1 is shown.

On the seabed, several well production devices are shown. These well production devices may for example be manifolds, templates, Christmas trees XTU, compressor units CU, separator units SU, pipeline units PU and line units LU. The line units LU may for example be riser flow lines, riser power lines and riser control lines. The riser control lines may be hydraulic and/or electric control lines.

Accordingly, the term "well production device" is used herein for all devices in the field installation 1 used for producing and transporting fluids to and from the oil/gas wells in the formations below the seabed. As mentioned above, also devices for processing fluids, for example a separator unit for separating water from

hydrocarbons and a compressor unit for compressing gas, are considered to be such a well production device. In addition, devices used for injecting fluids into the formation, such as devices for stimulating wells, for water/gas injection into wells, etc., where the purpose is to increase hydrocarbon production, are considered to be included in the term well production device. These well production devices are generally referred to with reference number 2. Hence, the entire field installation 1 may be considered to be comprised of such well production devices 2.

As shown in fig. 1 , a central control system 100 is connected to the well production devices 2 via an umbilical 3. The umbilical 3 comprises the above-mentioned line units LU. A field model 10 is connected to the control system 100. The field model 10 is a model of the field installation 1. The field model 10 may comprise information about all of the well production devices 2 above, or only some of the well production devices 2. This will be explained more in detail below.

The field model 10 also comprises a model of the control system 100, hereinafter referred to as a control system model 110.

It is now referred to figs. 2 - 4, illustrating three different examples of field models 10.

It is now referred to fig. 2, where it is shown a field model 10 comprising models 20 of well production devices 2. Here, there are four Christmas tree models XT1, XT2, XT3, XT4. The field model 10 is connected to the control system 100. Also the control system model 110 is indicated as a part of the field model 10. Moreover, the umbilical 3 for connection of the control system 100 to the well production devices 2 are indicated in fig. 2.

It is now referred to fig. 3, where it is shown another field model 10 with models 20 of well production devices 2. Here, there are one Christmas tree model XT1 , a compressor model 30 of a well production device 2 in the form of a compressor unit, and a fluid line model 28 of a well production device 2 in the form of a pipeline unit. The field model 10 contains information about the respective models 20, 28 and 30 and also about how fluid may flow from the Christmas tree to the compressor via the pipeline.

It is now referred to fig. 4, where it is shown yet another field model 10 with models 20 of well production devices 2. There are two models 29 of a well production device 2 in the form of a manifold, where each manifold model 29 comprises a model 22 of a communication unit ComU and six models 20 of well production devices 2 in the form of Christmas trees XT1 - XT6. The field model 10 contains information about the respective models 20, 22, 29. It should be noted that in the field model 10, each of the manifold models 29 and their respective

Christmas tree models and communication unit models 22 have a unique identifier. Hence, even if some of the well production devices 2 and hence their models 20 are identical to each other, their unique identifier will make it possible to store relevant information about them separate from other models in the field model 10. In general, most of the well production devices 2 above comprise different subparts which may perform monitoring (such as different types of sensors) or which may perform fluid flow control (such as valves, choke valves, pumps, actuators etc.). These subparts are here referred to as "active units" AU. These active units AU are considered to be a part of the control system model 110 together with the central control system 100 described above, as these active units are used to control the fluid flow and/or give important input with respect to how fluid flow should be controlled. The active units AU are sending signals to and/or are receiving signals from other parts of the control system 100, for example the parts of the control system 100 located topside, typically via the line units LU.

Alternatively, there may be some active units AU which may only be actuated by means of a ROV (not shown). However, some of the active units may be actuated both by the control system 100 and by a ROV. For example, in a situation where an active unit AU, such as valve, is not actuatable via the control system 100 (for example due to a failure in the communication), a ROV may be used to actuate the valve. It should be noted that it is preferred that most active units AU may perform monitoring and fluid flow control via the control system 100.

Of course, some well production devices 2, such as the line units LU and most of the pipeline units PU will not comprise such active units. However, some pipeline units PU may comprise for example an active unit AU in the form of a well flow sensor.

Each active unit AU may send and/or receive signals via a communication unit ComU. The communication unit ComU is connected to each active unit AU and provides communication with the control system 100. Preferably, all

communication between the active units AU and the control system 100 is performed through the communication unit ComU. However, it is also possible that some active units communicate directly with the control system 100.

As mentioned above, parts of the control system 100 is located topside. Here, there is a human machine interface and a computing device comprising the software and hardware used to interpret and display the communication signals (or messages) received from the active units AUs and communication units ComUs of the respective well production devices 2 and the software and hardware used to a send instructions to the active units AUs and communication units ComU of the respective well production devices 2. The sent instructions may be generated automatically from the control system 100 based on predetermined conditions, or they may be based on input from an operator.

As mentioned above, the control system 100 is defined to comprise some of the active units AUs, the communication units ComU and the communication lines connecting the active units and communication units with the other parts of the control system 100.

It is now referred to fig. 5 - 6.

In fig. 5, it is shown a well production device 2 in the form of a Christmas tree 2. Here, it is indicated that the Christmas tree comprises two active units AU, a first valve AU_V1 and a first sensor AU_S 1. In addition, it is indicated that the

Christmas tree comprises a communication unit ComU. The communication unit ComU will be connected to the valve and sensor, and also to the control system 100 when installed as a part of the field installation 1. Of course, a typical Christmas tree will comprise several different valves and several different sensors, in addition to other active units, all of which are connected to the communication unit ComU.

In fig. 6, a model 20 of the Christmas tree is shown schematically. Here, it is shown that the model comprises a unique identifier ID_20 for the model 20. This unique identifier is used by the field model 10 to identify information such as hardware serial number, software serial number, its subcomponents such as subpart numbers, revision number etc. The unique identifier may also be used to identify the active unit models of the model 20. By means of the unique identifier, it is possible to retrieve information about the field installation from the field model, including detail such as product type, product manufacturer, software versions, configurations etc.

The active unit models are indicated by reference numbers 21, where submodel VI is representing the model of the first valve AU_V1 of the Christmas tree and submodel S I is representing the model of the first sensor AU_S 1 of the Christmas tree. The communication unit model is indicated by reference number 22, where submodel Com is representing the model of the communication unit ComU of the Christmas tree.

Each of the active unit models Com, VI and S I has a unique identifier ID_20_Com, ID_20_V1 and ID_20_S 1 respectively. Again, these unique identifiers are used to identify information about the respective submodels, such as hardware serial number, software serial number, revision number, software version, configuration version etc. Again, these unique identifiers may be used to identify the superior model to which the active unit models are related.

It is now referred to fig. 4 again. Here it is shown that each manifold model, and hence each manifold, comprises a main communication unit (represented as communication model Com in the model in fig. 4). In addition, each of the

Christmas trees may comprise a local communication unit ComU (as shown in fig. 5) for coordinating communication between its active units and the main

communication unit of the manifold. Hence, the active units of the Christmas tree are communicating with the control system 100 via both the communication unit of the Christmas tree and the main communication unit of the manifold. It is now referred to fig. 7 and 8, which illustrates a preferred embodiment of a method for providing the field model 10 of the field installation 1.

Initial phase

Initially, in step S I, an initial field model 10 of the field installation 1 is provided in an initial planning phase. Here, the field model 10 comprises well production device models 20 of well production devices 2 and a control system model 1 10 of a control system 100.

As described above, and as shown in step S2, a unique identifier ID_20 is assigned to each well production device model 20 in the field model 10. Moreover, a unique identifier ID_20_V1 is assigned to each active unit model 21 and a unique identifier ID_20_Com is assigned to each communication unit model 22, as described above.

A part of step S2 can also be to combine the well production devices 20 in the field model with the physical manufactured devices now including e.g. HW serial numbers/revisions and SW serial numbers/revision etc. This will then later be verified during installation to make sure right equipment is installed (as installed) and configured according to the field model (as planned).

The field model may for example be provided as one of those shown in figs. 2 - 4 above. Implicitly, each of the well production device modes 20 comprises information about their respective active unit models 21 and communication unit models 22 as shown in fig. 6. The field model 10 is then, in step S3, connected to the control system 100. If desired, the field model 10 together with the control system 100 (and control system model 110) may be tested in order to verify and possibly update the field

installation 1 and the control system 100.

In fig. 7, it is shown that field information 50 about the oil/gas field is provided in the initial planning phase. The field information 50 is typically information about the number of oil and/or gas wells, their respective location, their respective fluid properties (for example such as expected H2S content, water content etc, fluid pressure, fluid temperature). The field information 50 may also comprise more specific information, such as requirements for redundancy, requirements for specific equipment, physical requirements for actuators, valves etc, i.e. a more detailed description of the desired/required properties. In fig. 7, there is also shown a library 51 containing standardized well production devices as well production device models 20. Hence, this library contains detailed information about a number of well production devices 2. For example, the library may contain detailed information about four different Christmas trees and their configurable variants, each Christmas tree having separate range of use, or at least only partially overlapping ranges of use. For example, the first Christmas tree may be provided for oil wells having a pressure up to 180 psi, and fluid temperature up to 80°C. The second Christmas tree may be provided for oil wells having from 240 - 280psi and fluid temperatures up to 100°C. In fig. 7, it is also shown a control system model 110, as described above.

Preferably, the standard well production device models 20 are used, as this will reduce the work and time involved with designing custom-made well production device models 20. Hence, in the initial phase, standardized well production device models 20 are selected from the library 51 based on the field information 50 and these selected standardized well production device models 20 are stored in the field model 10.

Preferably, the steps of selecting and storing the standardized models 20 are performed by a software program installed on a computer device 60, as shown in fig. 7. Alternatively, these steps are performed by a person 70. It should be noted that the standard well production device models 20 are highly configurable. In most situations, the standard well production devices 20 may be configured to suit the requirements defined by the field information. However, some special situations may occur during the above selection and storing steps.

First, there may be situations where more than one standardized well production device model 20 in the library 51 has a suitable property range when compared with the field information 50. In such a situation, the computer device 60 may request input from the user 70 in order to select between the two or more options for a suitable standardized well production device model 20.

Second, there may be situations where none of the standardized well production device models 20 has a suitable property range when compared with the field information 50. In such a situation, the computer device 60 may raise a notification to the user about the situation. In this situation, a custom-made well production device 2 with a suitable property range must be designed and a custom-made well production device model 40 is also provided and stored in the field model 10. The custom-made well production device 2 may of course be based on one of the standardized well production devices or it may be designed more or less from scratch. In either case, the model of the custom-made well production device 2 may be stored in the library 51 of standardized well production device models 20 for use in later projects.

By using as many standardized well production devices 2 as possible, the planning and development of an oil/gas installation is simplified. Installation phase

After the initial planning phase, the well production devices 2 are manufactured and subsequently installed on the seabed, typically following todays procedures for installing the well production devices 2 at their correct location. As mentioned in the introduction, the manifolds, Christmas trees and other well production devices 2 are first installed, then equipment such as active units may be installed onto the manifolds, Christmas trees etc. Of course, most of the active units may be installed onto their well production devices 2 before installation. The installation process comprises a connection of the active units to their communication units in order to provide communication between the active units, the communication units and the control system 100.

When installed, a start-up procedure is performed. The start-up procedure of the field installation 1 will involve many steps that are known for a skilled person. For example, all well barriers, for example well barriers of Christmas trees, are tested as a part of the start-up procedure before production will be started. Corresponding prior art start-up procedures will not be described herein.

In step S4, the well production devices 2 and the control system 100 are configured according to information in the field model 10. The well production devices 2 and the control system 100 may be partially configured during their manufacturing, i.e. before they are installed on the seabed, but some configuration will also take place as part of the start-up procedure. Such pre-configuration may for example be setting of the unique identifiers needed for the communication between topside and subsea, which offers the possibility of populating the field model with tracing information regarding HW serial numbers/revisions and SW serial numbers/revision of the actual equipment connected). Then, in step S5, status and inventory information about the well production devices 2 and the control system 100 are retrieved via the control system 100. The field model 10 receives this updated status and inventory information. If the received information is different from the information in the field model then the field model is updated, and if the received information is equal to the information in the field model, then a verification of the information in the field model 10 obtained (step S6). Status information is here information about the status of an active unit and/or the status of a communication unit of a well production device 2. Such status information may for example be information with respect to a valve being open or closed, a sensor being turned on or off, or whether the valve or sensor are operating as expected or not (i.e. a failure is present in the valve or sensor or not).

Inventory information is here information about the active unit and/or about the communication unit of a well production device 2. Such inventory information may for example be information about the type of valve or sensor, the hardware version of the sensor, the software version of the sensor, configuration of the sensor etc. The inventory information can also comprise information about the number of active units being connected to a communication unit.

Preferably, this is performed by sending a status and inventory request from the control system 100 to the well production devices 2 and the subparts of the well production devices 2, i.e. to the communication unit ComU and to the active units AU. When receiving the status and inventory request, the communication units ComU and the active units AU are configured to send their status and inventory information to the control system 100.

Alternatively, the active units and the communication units of a well production device 2 may be configured to send their status and inventory information to the control system 100 when turned on (i.e. when they are supplied with power after being turned off). This is often referred to as so-called plug and play functionality. In yet an alternative, the active units and the communication units of a well production device 2 may be configured to send their status and inventory

information to the control system 100 periodically, for example each hour, each day or each week.

Hence, the field model 10 are now updated with real information from the well production devices 2 and the active units AU and communication units ComU of the respective the well production devices 2. The traceability of the different

components of the installation is therefore considered to be improved. Post-installation phase and operative phase

If the updated and verified field model 10 shows that some of the well production devices 2, active units AU or communication units ComU of the respective the well production devices 2 have faulty hardware, faulty software or old software versions, an update of hardware and/or software may be necessary after the installation but before the production starts.

Alternatively, an update of hardware and/or software may also be necessary in the operative phase, i.e. after the production has started. If the production has started, there may be a need to temporarily reduce or stop the production, until the update process is finished.

An update of a software item on a communication unit ComU or on an active unit AU may be performed via the communication unit ComU from the control system 100. This can be performed by downloading the updated software item from the control system 100 to the communication unit ComU or the active unit AU and performing the installing routine, which is considered known for a skilled person.

Then, an update confirmation request may be sent to the updated communication unit ComU or the updated active unit AU from the control system 100. Of course, this is not necessary if the active units and communication units are sending their information periodically. The field model 10 is then updated based on the result from the update confirmation request. For example, if the previous software version installed on an active unit AU was version number 1.2 and response from the active unit AU to the update confirmation request is that the present software version now is version number 1.3, then the field model 10 is updated with the new software version number. However, if the software update failed, the response from the active unit AU to the update confirmation request is that the present software version still is version number 1.2. Then, the field model 10 is verified, and a time for retrying the software update may be scheduled. An update of a hardware item of a communication unit ComU or an active unit AU may also be performed. This type of update requires for example a ROV or a workover tool to first remove the old unit and then install the new unit of a well production device 2. Alternatively, the entire old well production device 2 is removed and a new one is installed. For example, in order to replace an entire Christmas tree, a larger operation must be performed, as is known for a skilled person.

When the update of the hardware item is finished, an update confirmation request is sent to the updated communication unit ComU or the updated active unit AU from the control system 100, alternatively to all communication units and active units of an updated well production device 2. Then, as for a software update, the field model 10 is updated based on the result from the update confirmation request.

A similar procedure is performed if a well production device 2 or a subpart of a well production device 2 is permanently or temporarily removed from the field installation 1 or if such a device 2 or subpart is added to the field installation 1. This can be the case if one of the wells of the field installation is permanently shut down and the Christmas tree is removed, or if a new well is drilled and a new Christmas tree is added. After such a removal or installation operation, the above status and inventory information about the well production devices 2 (and possibly also the status and inventory information about the control system 100) is retrieved (the above step S5), and thereafter, the field model 10 is verified and updated with the new status and inventory information regarding the removed or installed well production devices 2.

In this way, it is ensured that all units on the field have correct software versions and configurations and that the field model 10 is correct throughout the lifetime of the field, even though well production devices 2 and/or subparts of a well production device is removed, added or replaced.

Above, a field modelling system has been described, the system comprising a computer device 60 with software for performing the above steps, where the field model 10 itself is a part of the field modelling system. In the preferred embodiment, the field information 50, the library 51 of standardized well production device models and the control system model is also a part of the field modelling system. Hence, the field modelling system is as the dashed box with reference number 4 in fig. 7.

Alternative embodiments

It should be noted that the present invention may be used for all oil/gas

installations, not only subsea oil/gas installations.

Claims

1. Method for providing a field model (10) of a field installation (1), comprising the steps of: a) providing an initial field model (10) of the field installation (1) in the planning phase, where the field model (10) comprises well production device models (20) of well production devices (2) and a control system model (110) of a control system (100); b) assigning a unique identifier (ID_20) to each well production device model (20) in the field model (10) and assigning a unique identifier to each control system model (110);

c) connecting the field model (10) to the control system (100); after installation of the well production devices (2) and the control system (100), performing the steps of: d) configuring the well production devices (2) and the control system (100) according to information in the field model (10); e) retrieving status and inventory information about the well production devices (2) and the control system (100); f) updating or verifying the field model (10) based on the retrieved status and inventory information.

2. Method according to claim 1, where step a) further comprises:

- providing at least some of the well production device models (20) in the field model (10) with active unit models (21) of active units (AU) provided in the well production devices (2) and

where step b) further comprises:

- assigning a unique identifier (ID_20_V1, ID_20_S 1) to each active unit model (21).

3. Method according to claim 2, further comprising the steps of:

- providing at least some of the well production device models (20) in the field model (10) with communication unit models (22) of communication units (ComU) provided in the well production devices (2); where the communication units (ComU) are connected to at least some of the active units (AU);

where step b) further comprises:

- assigning a unique identifier (ID_20_Com) to each communication unit model (22); and where step e) further comprises retrieving status and inventory information from the active units (AU) via the communication units (ComU).

4. Method according to claim 3, where the step of retrieving status and inventory information comprises:

- sending a status and inventory request from the control system (100) to at least one of the communication units (ComU) or to at least one of the active units (AU); and

- sending the status and inventory information from the at least one communication units (ComU) or the at least one active unit (AU) to the control system (100) upon receiving the status and inventory request.

5. Method according to claim 4, further comprising the step of:

- updating a software item on a communication unit (ComU) or on an active unit (AU) via the communication unit (ComU) from the control system (100);

- sending an update confirmation request to the updated communication unit (ComU) or the updated active unit (AU) from the control system (100);

- updating the field model (10) based on the result from the update confirmation request.

6. Method according to claim 4 or 5, further comprising the step of:

- updating a hardware item of a communication unit (ComU) or an active unit (AU); - sending an update confirmation request to the updated communication unit

(ComU) or the updated active unit (AU) from the control system (100);

7. Method according to claim 3, further comprising the step of:

- sending the status and inventory information from the at least one communication units (ComU) or the at least one active unit (AU) to the control system (100) periodically.

8. Method according to claim 1, where step a) further comprises the steps of - providing field information (50) about the oil/gas field;

- providing a library (51) of standardized well production devices as well production device models (20);

- selecting standardized well production device models (20) from the library (51) based on the field information (50);

- storing the selected standardized well production device models (20) in the field model.

9. Method according to claim 8, where the steps of selecting and storing the standardized models (20) are performed by a software program installed on a computer device (60).

10. Method according to claim 7, further comprising the steps of:

- requesting input from a user (70) from the computer device (60) to perform the selection between two or more options if more than one standardized well production device model (20) in the library (51) has a suitable property range when compared with the field information (50).

11. Method according to claim 8 or 9, further comprising the step of:

- raising a notification from the computer device (60) to the user (70) if none of the standardized well production device models (20) has a suitable property range when compared with the field information (50).

12. Method according to claim 11, further comprising the step of designing a custom-made well production device model (40) of a well production device (2) with a suitable property range based on the field information (50); and, storing the custom-made well production device model (40) in the field model (10).

13. Computer device (60) for providing a field model (10) of a field installation (1) where the computer device (60) is configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 - 12.

14. Field modelling system (4) comprising a field model (10) of a field installation (1), where the field model (10), in a planning phase, comprises:

- a control system model (1 10) of a control system (100);

- well production device models (20) of well production devices (2);

where a unique identifier (ID_20) is assigned to each well production device model (20) in the field model (10);

where, after installation of the well production devices (2) and the control system (100), the field modelling system is configured to configure the well production devices (2) and the control system (100) according to information in the field model (10);

where the field modelling system is configured to retrieve status and inventory information about the well production devices (2) and the control system (100); where the field modelling system is configured to update or verify the field model (10) based on the retrieved status and inventory information.

15. Field modelling system (4) according to claim 14, where at least some of the well production device models (20) in the field model (10) is provided with active unit models (21) of active units (AU) provided in the well production devices (2) and where a unique identifier (ID_20_V1 , ID_20_S 1) is assigned to each active unit model (21).

16. Field modelling system (4) according to claim 15, where at least some of the well production device models (20) in the field model (10) is provided with communication unit models (22) of communication units (ComU) provided in the well production devices (2); where the communication units (ComU) are connected to at least some of the active units (AU) and where a unique identifier (ID_20_Com) is assigned to each communication unit model (22); and where the field modelling system is configured to retrieve status and inventory information from the active units (AU) via the communication units (ComU).

17. Field modelling system (4) according to claim 16, where the field modelling system is configured to send a status and inventory request from the control system (100) to at least one of the communication units (ComU) or to at least one of the active units (AU); and to receive the status and inventory information from the at least one communication units (ComU) or the at least one active unit (AU).

18. Field modelling system (4) according to claim 17, where the field modelling system is configured to:

- update a software item on a communication unit (ComU) or on an active unit (AU) via the communication unit (ComU) from the control system (100);

- send an update confirmation request to the updated communication unit (ComU) or the updated active unit (AU) from the control system (100);

19. Field modelling system (4) according to claim 16 or 17, where the field modelling system is configured to:

- send an update confirmation request to the updated communication unit (ComU) or the updated active unit (AU) from the control system (100) after an update of a hardware item of a communication unit (ComU) or of an active unit (AU);

- update the field model (10) based on the result from the update confirmation request.

20. Field modelling system (4) according to claim 14, where the field modelling system comprises:

- field information (50) about the oil/gas field;

- a library (51) of standardized well production devices as well production device models (20);

where the field modelling system is configured to:

- store the selected standardized well production device models (20) in the field model.

21. Field modelling system (4) according to claim 20, where the field modelling system is configured to select the standardized well production device models (20) automatically.

22. Field modelling system (4) according to claim 21, where the field modelling system is configured to request input from a user (70) to perform the selection between two or more options if more than one standardized well production device model (20) in the library (51) has a suitable property range when compared with the field information (50).

23. Field modelling system (4) according to claim 21 or 22, where the field modelling system is configured to raise a notification to the user (70) if none of the standardized well production device models (20) has a suitable property range when compared with the field information (50).