System allows use of mud pulse and EM telemetry concurrently

Enteq Upstream PLC has introduced the Twin Electro-Magnetic Telemetry System into its product portfolio. The system is used for high-speed electromagnetic (EM) MWD telemetry as an alternative or supplement to mud pulse telemetry to transmit drilling data. The system enables the use of mud pulse and EM telemetry concurrently, giving quicker EM data transmission while offering full redundancy, a press release said. The Twin Electro-Magnetic Telemetry System is based on EM wave technology used for transmitting drilling data uphole. The EM telemetry system encodes downhole MWD data into low-frequency EM waves, and the signal is transmitted from the tool through the formation and detected on the surface. The Twin system works deeper and faster and is much more power-efficient than previous EM systems, according to the release. The Twin Electro-Magnetic Telemetry System has been developed and commercialized in cooperation with Leading Magnetic Design and Drill-Tek. Enteq has agreements with the two companies to further develop and market the technology, which is based on Enteq’s XXT downhole electronics platform. enteq.com

Wireline service delivers precise pressure data, identifies well production potential efficiently

Baker Hughes has released its FTeX advanced formation pressure testing service, which uses downhole automation and real-time control of an intelligent packer and pump configuration to deliver critical formation data—including pressure profiles, fluid contact and mobility information—reliably, accurately and efficiently, according to a company press release. The data offer an earlier and better understanding of the reserves in place so operators can quickly identify the production potential of a well. Leveraging adaptive software, the FTeX service automates the operation sequence downhole to optimize tool controls and test parameters with minimal input from surface personnel—reducing data inconsistencies and inaccuracies that often result from manual testing, the release said. The service adapts to the formation response encountered during the initial drawdown to define the optimal parameters for subsequent drawdowns in real time, leading to increased data accuracy and efficiency. Running the FTeX service with other wireline technologies reduces the number of logging runs, saving rig time and cost. bakerhughes.com

Membrane removes seawater sulfate from injection water for offshore production

GE launched a new water treatment technology for the upstream oil and gas market. GE’s seawater sulfate removal (SWSR) nanofiltration membrane eliminates almost all sulfate from injection water in offshore oil production. The membrane removes sulfate to drastically reduce scale and corrosion in the injection well, which can reduce oil recovery and plug the well, a press release said. It also has excellent fouling resistance due to its three-layer membrane design and smooth surface. The new SWSR series is an advancement of GE's DK series nanofiltration membrane and provides a high transmission of sodium chloride into the permeate water to minimize operating pressures. It offers a physical barrier for any suspended particles, including bacteria, pyrogens and colloids. Additionally, the new membrane will help prevent strontium and barium sulfate scale in injection wells and will better mitigate well souring by reducing sulfate, according to the release. ge.com

Expandable liner hanger system increases reliability in deepwater environments

Halliburton’s Completion Tools business line introduced the VersaFlex XtremeGrip expandable liner hanger system, a high-performance expandable liner hanger that provides a compliant metal-to-metal seal with a fully bonded resilient elastomeric seal, a product announcement said. With a distinct design that offers enhanced bidirectional anchoring capabilities, it is designed to hang liner and seal off in temperatures up to 204 C (400 F) for oil and gas wells. The system has been tested to ISO 14310 V0 requirement on multiple sizes. The VersaFlex XtremeGrip system is ideal for use in deepwater and offshore applications where long liners must be deployed in high-temperature wells. The system is designed to minimize risks and maintain hang-weight capabilities in extreme environments. The ability of the system to rotate and reciprocate during cementing helps improve cementing results and reduce the need for costly remediation, the announcement said. The system has been run and set successfully in deepwater projects in Norway, Angola, Malaysia and the Gulf of Mexico. halliburton.com

Subsea wet gas meter reduces risk, strengthens production optimization strategies

Emerson Process Management has released its next-generation Roxar subsea Wetgas Meter for accurate production measurement, reduced risk and improved flow assurance in gas and gas condensate fields. Hydrates, corrosion, scaling and water coning in the reservoir represent the biggest challenges to offshore gas producers and are all caused by formation water breakthrough into the well. The new meter allows the earliest possible detection of water from gas wells. The new meter comes with water sensitivity, accuracy and rapid response together with the industry’s first built-in salinity measurement system. The meter’s microwave-based measurements and multivariate analysis functionality are operational in all field conditions and fluid compositions. The meter detects changes in water content of the flowing well at as little as 0.2 ppm. The next-generation Roxar subsea Wetgas Meter generates an uncertainty specification of ±0.02% abs Water Volume Fraction at Gas Void Fraction 99% to 100%. emersonprocess.com

Network monitors seismicity in real time through life of asset

MicroSeismic Inc. released AlertArray, a real-time seismicity network that offers operators a single solution alternative to monitor seismicity during hydraulic fracturing and fluid injection operations. The AlertArray is capable of providing high-resolution event locations for various event types and magnitudes to establish a baseline for naturally occurring seismicity prior to injection activities, according to a product announcement. The network for seismicity monitoring allows operators to improve field operations and mitigate risk cost-effectively. Additionally, AlertArray can be augmented with additional recording stations to allow operators to evaluate the performance of hydraulic fracturing completions while maintaining the ability to effectively pinpoint the safety of subsurface treatment activities in real time and through the life of the asset, the announcement said. The system is offered globally and is compliant with specific regional mandates. MicroSeismic’s AlertArray is a hybrid network using the BuriedArray system combined with seismometers and is capable of spanning more than 25,900 sq km (10,000 sq miles). microseismic.com

Mobile unit enables onsite coating, increases project flexibility

Trelleborg’s offshore operation has launched its new mobile production unit (MPU), a portable coating facility that will enable onsite coating of thermal insulation, passive fire and corrosion protection. The unit can be mobilized in a short time frame and sent straight to site to apply coatings such as Trelleborg’s thermal insulation Vikotherm R2 and Firestop, a jetfire-resistant material. This increases project flexibility and reduces the costs and lead times associated with transporting parts to a specialist coating facility, a product announcement said. The MPU contains an extruder and a rotating spindle with the possibility for side extrusion of Vikotherm R2 directly to straight pipes of up to 12 m (39 ft). The extruder also is used to produce 25 mm thick Vikotherm R2 profiles for coating of complex geometries such as bends, valves and flanges. In addition, there are a number of vulcanization containers for up to 20-m (66-ft) pipes or structures. The MPU concept includes a conventional coating machine for coating of straight pipes for passive fire and corrosion protection. trelleborg.com/offshore