New products

Vol. 229 No. 8

Fracture diagnostics

The Oilfield Technology Group of Hexion Specialty Chemicals announced an environmentally improved method for determining proppant location, called the PropTrac Fracture Diagnostics Service. This technology allows operators to increase oil and gas production by optimizing perforating and fracturing strategy. The actual fracture geometry that occurs downhole can greatly affect the economic value of a well, and having a better understanding of downhole fracture dimensions allows operators to make more informed decisions and optimize well completion designs to enable the wells to produce to full potential. Relevant applications are unconventional reservoirs such as tight gas and shales. A major technical challenge faced with these wells, especially multi-zone, is the correlation of the post-frac production performance with both the reservoir’s properties and the completion procedure.

The PropTrac H method uses resin-coated proppants containing a non-radioactive tagging material in the coating. Once the well is fractured, these proppants are temporarily activated downhole with a specialized logging tool that identifies their location. Unlike conventional radioactive tracers, these are no longer active by the time the tool is removed from the well. Because this system does not use radioactive materials, it does not require the same environmental or safety precautions, permits or regulatory compliance as radioactive. Logs can be run as often as desired during the lifetime of the well. Also, proppants with a built-in tagging material in the resin coating provide more accurate results. The system provides detailed information on zones where the proppant is located to help operators analyze perforating and fracturing designs. It can aid engineers in calibration of frac design model with a real-world proppant distribution log. Additionally, logs are provided that show where operators can perforate additional zones to potentially increase well production. It also allows users to observe how proppant distribution in the fracture may be affected by changes in flowing pressure, flowrates or fluid entry. It can also provide additional data for analyzing changes in production rates and help explain these changes, e.g., the proppant pack shifted in the fracture. Operators can also use this information to assist in analyzing refrac options during the well’s lifetime.

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Portable videoborescope

GE Sensing & Inspection Technologies announced the release of its XL Go VideoProbe. At 3.8 lb, it is a portable, lightweight, high-resolution video borescope for inspections in small, hard-to-reach places. Powered by a lithium ion battery, the probe is cordless and has no tethers, offering increased access and flexibility during inspections. Its compact design and shipping case are small enough that it can be classified as carry-on luggage. The system’s tungsten braided insertion tube has 360° articulation, allowing navigation in tight applications. Additionally, the XL Go has high light output for superior image quality. LED light is routed through a fiber optic bundle, projecting the inspection image onto a high-resolution LCD screen. It is housed in high-impact-resistant polycarbonate, and uses double-threaded optical tips to eliminate the risk of foreign object damage. Inspection results are captured as high-resolution images or MPEG4. USB data ports for flash memory are provided for additional data storage.

Analysis service for carbonate reservoirs

Schlumberger has released its new Carbonate Advisor petrophysics and productivity analysis service, which offers a systematic analytical framework to efficiently deliver a comprehensive petrophysical evaluation of carbonate rocks. The system integrates information from magnetic resonance and elemental capture spectroscopy, as well as other logs and core data, to produce a single, complete formation evaluation of carbonate reservoirs. In field tests in a wide variety of carbonate reservoirs, relative permeability and water saturation measurements from Carbonate Advisor matched discrete core analysis data. The service can be applied with equal effectiveness either packaged with newly acquired data or to previously acquired data.

GPS-aided fiber optic compass

I-Compass from Geonav Marine Systems is an integration of Fiber Optic Gyro (FOG) technology with GPS technology to provide heading, pitch and roll measurements with the reliability and accuracy of higher-priced systems. By integrating these technologies, the system takes advantage of absolute heading values to convert a rate compass from a relative-heading device to a true-north-heading sensor. The fiber optic gyro technology allows it to maintain heading accuracy even through GPS outages, and eliminates GPS noise instability and maintenance costs associated with mechanical gyros. The system operates with a rate of turn of up to 100° per second and outputs GPS time-stamped data on four independently configurable ports. It also offers data output rates of up to 20 Hz, minimal export restrictions, simple installation and setup, GPS position and velocity output and an optional magnetic sensor that provides data through long-term GPS outages.

Pipe and cable locator

The new 3M Dynatel Advanced Pipe/Cable Locator 2220M uses the reliable technology of other Dynatel locators but is specially designed to locate underground pipes simply and accurately. It is rugged enough to stand up to harsh field conditions while delivering accurate results. The locator’s two active trace frequencies, 8 kHz and 82 kHz, can be used for most underground locating applications, and its enhanced inductive capability provides the maximum allowed induction power. In addition, the receiver can detect passive power (50/60 Hz) and radio (15-30 kHz) for damage avoidance as well as remote transmitters such as Sondes and pipeline inspection cameras. The operator can choose the frequency best suited for the situation, allowing maximum performance. The receiver provides the familiar bar graph, signal strength and direction indication to the pipe or cable, which helps distinguish the target pipe or cable in congested areas. A push-button digital depth readout in inches, feet or centimeters provides quick depth measurements in active, passive power and sonde modes.

3D subsurface modeling

Paradigm announced the release of SKUA (Subsurface Knowledge Unified Approach) 2008, a software environment that allows geoscience users to easily produce accurate and realistic subsurface models quickly using new 3D methodology. The software environment bridges the gap between seismic and simulation by removing current modeling limitations, and leverages SKUA methodology to build simulation models that realistically reflect reservoir locations and properties. The automated workflows reduce model construction time from days to hours, deliver greater accuracy and allow for better history matching and production forecasts. The product complements the Paradigm solutions for subsurface disciplines across the entire exploration, development and production value chain. Reservoir Architecture is the first workflow solution available on the Paradigm SKUA 2008 environment. It guides interpreters, reservoir modelers and engineers through simple steps to rapidly construct accurate 3D models. Every modeling decision is recorded for fast model updating and auditing.

Miniature check valve

The Lee Company’s new 250 Zero Leak Chek is the latest addition to Lee’s line of miniature, zero-leak check valves. Available in forward and reverse-flow configurations, the valve uses an elastomeric seat to achieve zero leakage. The remaining components are constructed entirely of stainless steel. The valve flows over 62 L/min. (air) at 25 psi difference, with a diameter of only 0.250 in. Nominal weight is 3.8 g, and maximum working pressure is 3,000 psi difference.

Energy mapping and browsing software

IHS Inc. announced the release of IHS Enerdeq Desktop v1.5 for international markets. The software provides access to multiple data sources, including company proprietary data and data from third-party suppliers. It provides a combination of browsing, querying and mapping functionality that allows clients to quickly search the entire IHS international database, build complex queries and inspect specific oil and gas information. Other key functions include data filtering, multi-layer inspect, multi-window operation, clear mapping symbology and mapping annotation. The new platform replaces Probe, an IHS legacy GIS application used to analyze the company’s E&P database. The user experience that it provides is greatly improved from what is available in Probe, from clarity of the interface and symbology, to a layer manager that can be moved about the screen and the ability to multi-select and multi-inspect items. Screen analysis can be performed by highlighting an area to create a snapshot or image file, which the user can annotate for presentation and use elsewhere.

64-bit single-board computer

MEN Micro Inc., a provider of embedded computing and I/O systems for demanding applications, has expanded its series of intercompatible CompactPCI/Express Single Board Computers (SBCs) with a new 64-bit board based on the Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T7500 combined with the Mobile Intel 965GM Express Chipset. The new F18 SBC offers excellent graphics performance, and its specially developed heat sink and soldered components against shock and vibration equip it for use in mobile applications. The 64-bit board provides a 667/800-MHz frontside bus and high-performance graphics, which accelerate above all digital image processing such as CAD tools, 2D/3D modeling, video and rendering applications as well as scientific data processing. The F18 is a 32-bit/33-MHz system slot or stand-alone board and needs only one slot on the CompactPCI bus. Combined with a PCI Express side card, the F18 can also be used as a system slot board in CompactPCI Express systems.