New tool permits rigless retrieval, redeployment of conventional ESPs

In one offshore application, the Shuttle saved more than US $3 million in operating costs proportional to production rate compared to an ESP system deployed on conventional tubing in an offshore well. It also helped to avoid four workovers during a 15-year life cycle. (Image courtesy of Zeitecs Inc.)

Conventional electric submersible pumps (ESPs) up to 562 series can be retrieved and redeployed without a rig using the Zeitecs Shuttle through tubing by means of standard oilfield wireline, rod, or coiled tubing technology. According to Zeitecs, operators can increase hydrocarbon recovery, optimize production, and lower operating expenditure throughout field life at substantially lower HSE exposure and risk to staff for live or subhydrostatic wells. The technology also allows faster well production recovery as a result of unscheduled ESP system failure.

Additional benefits of the tool include:

  • Increased production through lower deferment;
  • Fewer hoist-supported workovers; and
  • Increased well value.

The Shuttle can provide independent surveillance of the ESP and the reservoir. Operators can include deepset packers, surface-controlled subsurface safety valves, and chemical injections in their completions. www.zeitecs.com

Linear position sensors ensure accuracy, reliability downhole

Macro Sensors linear variable differential transformer-based (LVDT) linear position sensors can be used for position feedback control of downhole drilling equipment, such as bore scopes that measure the ID of the drilled hole. The sensors are built to survive HP/HT conditions and are rated for pressures to 20,000 psi in electrically nonconductive, chemically benign media at temperatures to 400°F (204°C), which is achieved using special high melting-point soldering. To accommodate high pressures, the sensor case is vented to equalize pressure inside and outside of the sensor.

Offering a compact 3/8-in. diameter design, the AC-operated sensors can operate in devices with tight space restrictions. A lightweight low mass core also makes the sensors ideal for applications with high dynamic response requirements. Units operate with any conventional differential input LVDT signal conditioners to provide position feedback to operators at the surface. www.macrosensors.com

The RoqSCAN system analyzes wellbore cuttings in high resolution and can facilitate decision-making at the well site. (Image courtesy of Fugro Robertson)

Portable analyzer improves lateral well positioning, safety

Fugro Robertson has introduced RoqSCAN, a portable rock properties analyzer that analyzes wellbore cuttings in high resolution and generates fully intuitive, highly quantitative mineralogical and textural datasets within one hour of cuttings delivered to the rigsite unit.

RoqSCAN datasets can facilitate decision-making at the well site. For each sample, data provided include bulk mineralogy, lithology, mineral types and ratios, grain size, etc. – all measured against depth. For unconventional wells, data are used to support the placement of fracing stations for artificial reservoir stimulation. When drilling lateral wells, the data are also used to help keep the drill bit in its target zone, and for improved drilling management and safety performance. www.fugro-robertson.com/roqscan

Solution improves wastewater treatment for shale wells

In the Marcellus shale play, hydraulically fracturing a single well can require more than 3 million gallons of water. Aquatech has introduced the MoVap unit, a solution for wastewater treatment that allows water that is fully treated with a proprietary solution to be reused or returned to the environment in compliance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits.

The solution delivers consistent water quality and promotes safety at the well pad, and the high-quality treated water simplifies water management. Easily transported, the MoVap unit can be used in conjunction with other mobile and modular treatment solutions, the company said. www.aquatech.com

Seismic sensing system acquires more lower-noise data

Shell and HP have advanced the capability of their jointly developed inertial sensing technology to shoot and record seismic data at much higher sensitivity and at ultra-low frequencies. The inertial sensing technology enables a new class of ultra-sensitive, low-power micro-electromechanical sensor accelerometers that can deliver high-precision data capture at ultra-low frequencies. Integrating the devices within a complete system that encompasses numerous sensor types, networks, storage capabilities, and computation and analysis tools that monitor the assets and HSE generates a new level of awareness, the companies said. The sensing technology has a noise floor of 10 nano-g per square root Hertz (ng/rtHz), which is equal to the noise created by the earth’s ocean waves at the quietest locations, as defined by the Peterson Low Noise Model. www.hp.com/go/sensingsolutions

Knowledge environment provides productivity gains

The Petrel Studio E&P knowledge environment enables substantial productivity gains. Like Google, Studio Find lets users search, browse, and select data in context, providing an efficient way to search across the data environment and extract information. Comprehensive usability studies to understand mouse movements, interactions, and navigation resulted in a number of usability improvements such as tabbed windows and tear menus. Petrel 2011 features a new flexible well section window that enables viewing and interacting with 2-D well data, including raster logs, with seismic fences and grid model objects for improved well correlation and cross-section workflows. The new attribute player combined with geobody isolation capabilities provides potent new tools for stratigraphic trap identification.

For a step change in spatial accuracy, Petrel 2011 includes a patent-pending positioning and visualization method that was implemented for moving or merging well and 3-D seismic data. New and improved interpretation tools include automatic fault tracking, 3-D seismic flattening, and additional modes for detailed interpretation.

Similar to the Google search engine, the Studio Find tools allow users to interactively search, find, and transfer result data into Petrel projects. (Image courtesy of Schlumberger)

The software application’s new stair-step gridding has the ability to correctly model complex faulted reservoirs for a robust sealed structural framework that is optimal for property population and fluid flow simulation, Schlumberger said. Local model updates with new well data, properties, and markers preserve history matching for existing wells as well as achieving faster history matching. Users can evaluate parameter sensitivity, optimize simulation input, and use local model updates to work directly on problem areas and run new scenarios. Finally, property modeling advances honor target fractions for multipoint facies simulation.

http://www.slb.com/services/software/geo/petrel.aspx