One critical aspect of reservoir management is accurate production measurement-oil and water in real time, according to PDO's Corporate Technology manager Joe Straccia.

Just out of field trials in Oman, a new Schlumberger production monitoring system is proving its worth in high water-cut fields. The new system has the ability to improve ultimate recovery and lower lifting costs.

Comprised of the Schlumberger electric water-cut meter (EWM), coupled with surface communications components, the system measures water cut downhole at high accuracies considered unique to the energy industry. A main application of the system is in high water-cut fields completed with multilaterals. The EWM system offers a solution for monitoring production contributions from individual legs of dual or multilateral wells.

''In Oman, this type of monitoring is particularly important, as many wells are produced at very high water cuts,'' said Straccia. ''It is essential to have accurate net-oil and water measurements. This information is especially important in taking remedial action when one or more legs waters out.''

Validated well information is accessible anytime, anywhere with the InterACT* wellsite monitoring and control system. Information is transmitted via satellite and is accessible to the operator using a standard Web browser at an office PC or even on a hand-held wireless personal digital assistant (PDA).

''Small percentage changes in water cut can translate to months of production, so accuracy has a direct impact on optimising the economic life of the well,'' said Ken Feather, Schlumberger marketing manager in Oman. ''Furthermore, validated well production information is delivered to the operator transparently, enabling fast and accurate reservoir management decisions.''