Justifying Gaslift Automation

1. Justifying Gaslift Automation • “Automation” was defined as a field-wide system, not a device controlling an individual well • Not all felt automation necessarily included remote control • Justification, like anything, centers around the value received which equates to bottom-line dollars • Increases revenue through increased production from well optimization and reduced downtime • Reduced costs from better practices and procedures • Reduced safety and environmental exposure and risk • Maintaining, not reducing, headcount was a reason for using automation • Implementation cost in low producing fields may cause it to be a prohibitive technology.

2. Objectives to Implementing or Sustaining Automation • Lack of user knowledge • Personnel turnover – where is the expertise? • Poor training and continuous training • Non-conducive or supportive organization • Field personnel must take ownership stake and continuously derive value • Organizational barriers must be broken down to have more functional teams • Service providers sometimes fail to see organizational “silos” • Acceptance of status quo

3. Suggestions / Observations • Vendors should be prepared to assist with entire implementation and insure users are fully trained • However, producers have “beaten down” pricing so much there is little room for “hand holding” • Workflows should be well defined prior to implementation • Overall, “ Quantifiable Benefits of Automation” should be explored next year rather than “Is it justifiable?”