Key information
- Funding
- Self-funded
- School
- Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society
- Location
- Edinburgh
- Delivery type
- Full-time, Part-time
- Start date
- September
Production Engineering and Technology embraces the modelling and analysis of traditional production subjects, such as artificial lift, sand control, etc. However, starting fifteen years ago, it has concentrated on combining Production and Reservoir Simulation and Modelling skills to design, monitor and optimise production from advanced and/or intelligent or smart wells. The continuous, underlying theme of this multi-year, multi-disciplinary research theme being to quantify the "Added Value" from these more expensively completed wells.
Research projects
Specific activities within the Production Engineering and Technology group include:
Completion Design and Production Optimisation Techniques for Advanced Wells & Fields
This activity concentrates on the development of the advanced well completion design and well/field control methodology. The methodology uses optimisation tools for the optimal production set-up, robust well production or injection control, reduction in reservoir production uncertainty. Proactive and reactive methods of the production control are being developed and tested. We analyse a range of reservoir and inflow conditions, including conventional recovery in different types of reservoir geology, as well as heavy oil, water and/or gas sweep, WAG, SAGD, thermal fracturing, various production conditions and limitations, etc.
Advanced Well Completion Design, Modelling and Critical Analysis
Advanced well completions include both active and passive options for selective downhole flow control. Complimentary downhole monitoring devices allow efficient, automatic, flexible production control of these completion systems. Static and dynamic well completion design methods and ideas are developed and analysed. Comparison and screening methodology for the different completion types is under development and is supported by numerical and analytical studies. A range of downhole control devices is used, including ICVs, ICDs, AICDs, and AICVs.
Monitoring in Advanced Wells and Interpretation of Measured Data
Advanced well monitoring systems provide the raw data which custom algorithms can turn into real-time information that quantifies the reservoir properties and the multiphase flow rate distribution across the well's multiple completion intervals. Novel interpretation methodologies are being developed for the wide range of downhole monitoring systems, such as Distributed Temperature Sensors, optical Fibre Bragg Grating pressure and temperature sensors, Permanent Downhole Pressure Gauges, optical downhole flowmeters, etc. that are being installed in today's wells. This transformation of data into information is the first step in real-time, selective, zonal production management methodology. Developed techniques include zonal flow rate allocation in real time, model driven analysis in e.g. virtual flow metering (soft-sensing), integrated monitoring/control techniques, and pressure and temperature transients.
Entry requirements
Candidate criteria
Please contact the institute to discuss.
Funding information
| Status | Full Time | Part Time |
|---|---|---|
| Scotland | £5,151 | £2,575.50 |
| England / Wales / N Ireland | £5,151 | £2,575.50 |
| International | £26,604 | £13,302 |
- Status: Your residency status is usually defined as the country where you have been ordinarily resident for the three years before the start of your course.
- International: 'International' includes applicants from European Union countries who do not hold Pre-Settled or Settled status in UK. (This does not include students from the Republic of Ireland - see above).
We offer a number of competitive funded scholarships for research degrees. Full or partial support may be available for well-qualified candidates from UK research councils, research pools, charities or industry.
View our full range of scholarships.
Why Heriot-Watt
We have been producing career-ready graduates since 1821. With our roots as the world’s first Mechanics Institute, Heriot-Watt is a pioneering university with a global reach.
At Heriot-Watt, learning goes beyond the lecture theatre. We tackle real world challenges through extraordinary research – from climate change to protecting our oceans, to advancing life-saving medical breakthroughs and shaping the next generation of AI. We are also committed to developing forward-thinking design and sustainable business practices that impact industries worldwide. On our campuses you’ll find some of the world’s most advanced facilities, while our strong industry links set you up for career success. This is why almost 90% of our graduates are in employment or further education (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2024).
