Professional Assessment of Digital Twin Applications for Production Optimisation at the Agbami Field, Offshore Rivers State, Nigeria

Digital twin technology, integrating real-time operational data with physics-based reservoir and process simulation models, is an emerging production optimisation paradigm in deepwater petroleum operations. This study professionally assesses the architecture, implementation challenges, and production optimisation value of digital twin applications at the Agbami deepwater field, operated by Chevron in partnership with NNPC and Famfa Oil, offshore Rivers State. The Agbami digital twin architecture is reviewed from published operational documentation, assessing the integration of SCADA real-time production data, permanent downhole gauge data, multiphase flow simulation models, and surface process simulation into a unified production management platform. Key performance indicators for digital twin value delivery are defined and tracked over a two-year implementation review period from 2021 to 2022, including the frequency of optimised choke setting recommendations accepted by operators, compressor surge avoidance events attributable to digital twin early warning, and production deferral reduction from improved separator train management. Quantitative analysis indicates that digital twin-supported production management reduced average production deferral from unplanned shutdowns by 18 percent compared to the pre-implementation baseline period. Implementation challenges including data latency management, model update frequency requirements, and operator adoption barriers are discussed. The study recommends a structured capability maturity model for digital twin implementation applicable across Nigerian deepwater operations. Keywords: digital twin, production optimisation, Agbami field, deepwater, Rivers State.