Time-lapse monitoring CGGVeritas has completed the acquisition phase of the first continuous land 3-D SeisMovie project conducted for Shell Canada in the Peace River region of Alberta.

The project is a joint technology trial with Shell Canada. SeisMovie is a reservoir monitoring technology that is particularly applicable to steam-assisted heavy oil production. On this project, multiple permanently buried SeisMovie sources were continuously and simultaneously activated over a period of three months to collect up to 1 Terabyte of raw data daily. After real-time in-field automatic processing, a daily stack was produced. These data are currently being analyzed in a collaborative effort between Shell and CGGVeritas to extract a time-lapse reservoir signal.

According to Jean-Jacques Postel, executive vice president, Land Acquisition Product Line, CGGVeritas, “SeisMovie’s deployment enables companies to effectively monitor reservoir changes over long periods of time while minimizing human intervention and environmental impact. It is a safe, long-term solution for autonomous real-time monitoring of reservoirs. SeisMovie offers our clients the ability to see and utilize time-lapse effects to better understand the evolution of reservoir production and ultimately enhance recovery rates.”

www.cggveritas.com

New magnet tool collects and removes 200-lb debris

The MAGNOSTAR high-capacity magnet tool from M-I SWACO Wellbore Productivity provides operators with a single piece tool specifically designed for high-torque strings but that also can be used in conventional workstrings. The tool provides superior magnetic surface area for high-volume ferrous debris extraction when circulation is not enough for wellbore clean-up.

During a recent operation in Norway, the Magnostar high-capacity magnet was run as part of the clean-up string and extracted 41.8 lb (19 kg) of ferrous material. (Image courtesy of M-I SWACO)

The tool is run in the well on the workstring with other wellbore clean-up tools for a variety of applications, including displacements, post perforating, prefracturing, multizone completions, milling, deburring, fishing, and smart completions. It can be run whenever there is a potential for significant ferrous debris in the well bore.

To address a client’s needs in Norway, the 7-in. tool was run in-hole with several other M-I SWACO Wellbore Productivity tools in the clean-up string. The tool collected 13.2 lb of ferrous metal debris, most of which was small in size although large slivers up to 6 in. in length were also recovered.

The MAGNOSTAR magnet is a single-piece mandrel with no internal connections. With its high-strength rare earth magnets rated to 350°F (177°C), it can remove up to 200 lb of ferrous debris material. It is available in common casing/lining sizes and weights — from 133?8 in. to 7 in. — and has a casing-compatible facing material to minimize casing wear. The tool is available through the M-I SWACO Wellbore Productivity group.

www.miswaco.com

New artificial lift monitoring, optimization service released

Baker Hughes has launched the Centrilift Vision real-time artificial lift system monitoring and optimization service. The new system collects data from artificial lift operations and provides clients critical information for optimizing production and minimizing field down time.The system includes several features that differentiate it from other industry artificial lift monitoring and optimization offerings, including fuzzy logic alarming, daily exception reporting, and advanced key performance indicator tracking. These features allow operators to easily highlight and diagnose artificial lift issues and opportunities in real time, which ensures optimal production levels from artificially lifted wells and maximizes the life of the artificial lift system. Additionally, the system sets the standard for ease of use and accessibility while conforming to stringent data security standards. Vision, combined with Baker Hughes downhole sensors, provides a complete system to unlock the full potential of artificial lift completions.

www.bakerhughes.com

Rigid, flexible high-pressure couplings for large-diameter piping systems

Victaulic has introduced the Style 207 and Style 277 high-pressure couplings for large-diameter systems. The couplings maximize the life of piping systems for abrasive services such as oil sands, slurries, and tailings, while offering a cost-effective joining method with superior performance benefits.

The couplings extend the life of piping systems by maintaining full pipe-wall thickness and a smooth flow path. A specially designed ring is butt-welded to the end of the pipe, and the coupling is assembled on the ring to complete the joint. The couplings’ FlushSeal gaskets have a center lip that creates a barrier between the pipe ends, ensuring a smooth flow path and allowing the couplings to be used on lined pipe. In addition, the couplings allow the pipe to be easily rotated, reducing wear and further extending the life of the system.

Style 207 and Style 277 couplings offer multiple performance benefits that a typical welded joint cannot match. First and foremost, the coupling is available in two designs: the rigid Style 207 coupling, which maintains a movement-free joint, and the flexible style 277 coupling, which features deflection capabilities that can assist in routing pipe over uneven surfaces. Both styles feature a unique, patented wedge-shaped groove profile that helps align the coupling in the groove, resulting in easier initial assembly. The pipe can be lifted into place with the couplings already assembled because the coupling is stronger than the pipe.

Style 207 and Style 277 couplings are made up of two ductile iron housings, which are connected with four bolts. The couplings are available with silicone gaskets for a variety of chemical services and EPDM (ethylene propylene dimonomer) gaskets for water services. The couplings provide a strong connection for large-diameter piping systems with working pressures up to 650 psi (4,500 kPa), and are available in 26, 28, 30, 32, and 36 in. sizes (650, 700, 750, 800, and 900 mm).

www.victaulic.com