KBC, a Yokogawa company, launched Maximus 7.7, a field-wide advanced production modelling technology designed for upstream production and flow assurance engineers. The platform helps engineers monitor daily production, optimise operations and make better-informed decisions using engineering models that remain connected to operational data. Maximus 7.7 connects engineering models with real-time operational information, automates model calibration and represents the complete production system, from wells and pipelines to surface facilities. As a result, engineers can use trusted production models more routinely without significantly disrupting existing workflows.
Connecting Engineering Models with Field Operations
The upstream industry continues to face pressure to maintain production from existing assets. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), nearly 90% of upstream investment since 2019 has focused on offsetting production declines. Therefore, maintaining engineering models that accurately reflect changing field conditions has become increasingly important. Maximus 7.7 addresses this requirement by bringing engineering models and operational data into everyday production workflows. “Maximus 7.7 is intended to make production models more useful in operations, not just in studies,” said Prasad Sethuraman, Maximus Product Manager. “By improving data ingestion, calibration and system-wide modelling, we are helping engineers make more regular use of trusted models for surveillance, planning and production optimisation,” Sethuraman added.
Automated Calibration for Better Model Accuracy
One of the key features of Maximus 7.7 is its ability to improve field calibration through automated workflows. The platform keeps well digital twins and network models aligned with measured field behaviour. Consequently, engineers can reduce manual model tuning and maintain models that better reflect actual operating conditions. The technology also improves engineering model ingestion and simplifies the process of updating and calibrating models as field conditions change.
System-Wide Production Modelling
Maximus 7.7 represents interactions across the entire production system, including:
Wells
Gathering systems
Pipelines
Surface facilities
By connecting these elements within a single modelling environment, the platform enables engineers to assess how changes in one part of the production system can affect overall field performance. This system-wide approach can support production surveillance, planning and optimisation while helping engineers make operational decisions with greater confidence.
Supporting Production Optimisation and Asset Integrity
In addition to improving model continuity and calibration, Maximus 7.7 provides engineering models that support production optimisation and help address production, operability and asset-integrity risks. The platform therefore aims to make advanced production modelling a more practical part of routine operational decision-making rather than limiting its use to engineering studies.
Keeping Engineering Models Aligned with Reality
“Engineering models deliver value only when they reflect operational reality,” said Simon Rogers, Chief Technology Officer, KBC. He explained that the challenge for many operators is not creating models but keeping them relevant as operating conditions change. According to Rogers, engineering software needs to help organisations maintain trusted models that continuously support operational decision-making. With Maximus 7.7, KBC is expanding integrated asset modelling while improving engineering model ingestion, well digital-twin calibration and model tuning. As per the press release, the latest release supports KBC’s broader Bringing Decarbonization to Life® mission by helping operators use connected engineering models to improve production performance and operational decision-making.
