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Vol. 226 No. 7 |
Fail-safe valve actuators
 A new line of quarter-turn and linear Skilmatic SI electric valve actuators from Rotork Controls, Inc., provide both modulating and two-position control for fail-safe operation in a wide variety of oil and gas applications. They are compact, integrated units that are electrically operated and have a precise, hydraulically powered, internal spring-return mechanism to provide proper positioning of a valve in a safe condition. They can be set to fail-safe in either the closed or open valve position, or to lock in position during power or system failure. A quick-closure option is available. The Skilmatic actuators provide reliable closure for emergency shutdown and partial stroking capabilities for slow-opening applications in challenging operating environments. They are available in watertight and explosion-proof models, and can be supplied with appropriate electronic cards to interface with virtually any process control system. With a minimal number of moving parts, they can achieve an accuracy of better than 0.5%.
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Dredging system for steep subsea terrain
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 Nexans has developed the Spider, an innovative terrain dredger/ sub-sea intervention system. Combining powered tracks with an articulated walking leg system, it is capable of leveling the seabed in steep areas. It can function in very uneven subsea terrain with up to 35° of slope. The Spider is derived from the Capjet trenching vehicle design. It incorporates an advanced control system and is built to work in water depths of about 1,000 m. The vehicle’s movements are controlled by operators aboard a support vessel via a specialized launch and recovery system or LARS. Power and signals between the vessel and Spider are supplied through an umbilical. During usage, operators follow the vehicle’s movements via underwater cameras. When material stirred up from the seabed reduces visibility, alternative guidance is provided by a virtual -D computer image, which is prepared by the onboard survey operator and loaded into the Spider’s data system. Once the operation has started, new terrain surveys are performed, as required, to confirm the seabed profiles.
Capjet trenchers insert cables and pipelines into the seabed and cover them as they travel along. Specialized swords with water jets break up the soil, creating the trench. The Spider’s job is to level or flatten out the seabed in a given area, using a combination of water jetting and suction to remove large volumes of soil. This is done by using a dredging head on an extendable arm that can also be equipped with purpose-designed dredging heads, cutting tools or other intervention tooling.
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Modeling software configured for Linux
Roxar announced that its flagship 3-D reservoir modeling software, IRAP RMS, will operate on a Linux 64-bit platform to meet the large-scale data needs of the E&P industry. IRAP RMS joins Roxar’s leading reservoir simulation software, Tempest, in operating on the Linux 64-bit, UNIX 64-bit and Windows platforms. The benefits will include increased data volumes, faster speeds and lower operating costs. Recent benchmarking data shows that the software can run up to six times faster on Linux 64-bit. This allows users to build larger models, and also develop multiple scenarios leading to a more complete analysis of the reservoir. Users will be able to run IRAP RMS from the desktop with virtually unlimited volumes of data, compared to the traditional 2-gigabyte limit of 32-bit platforms.
Reservoir characterization
Fugro-Jason announced RockMod Services, a new reservoir-characterization offering based on the company’s sixth-generation technology. It integrates two critical techniques into a single algorithm – Simultaneous AVA Geostatistical Inversion – to deliver clear and reliable reservoir models. RockMod Services builds a model of the earth, based on all the data and information available, making it accurate and detailed. It can be applied to any field at any stage of its development. Deliverables can include petrophysics, reservoir identification, reservoir property determination, reservoir quality indication, static and dynamic flow simulation models and economic risk assessment.
Electrical connector line
Greene, Tweed has developed a new electrical connector line, Seal-Connect XCD, rated for continuous service at 30,000 psi and temperatures of 450°F. The XCD line capitalizes on the molded Arlon 2000 construction methodology, with its high, stable insulation resistance at elevated temperatures. This compares to the erratic electrical performance seen in glass-to-metal seal assemblies. This property, over an extended period increases tool life, lowers repair cost and decreases power consumption because a higher percentage of the signal strength is passing through the connector. Seal-Connect designs are available with several different types of pin materials, from standard beryllium copper pins to corrosion-resistant inconel or high-conductivity oxygen-free copper (if power requirements dictate).
Flaw detector
The latest version of the USM 35 portable ultrasonic flaw detector, from GE Inspection Technologies, is totally protected against dust and strong jets of water, and contains new software that allows it to operate to Japanese weld inspection standards. In addition, the mechanical design modifications to achieve an IP 66 rating have ensured that the detector is robust and suitable for application in aggressive operating environments. The USM 35X is suitable for operation in ambient temperatures from 0°C to 60°C. Software improvements in signal processing, as well as circuit board and shielding redesign, account for a better signal-to-noise ratio, while new printer drivers allow reports to be printed directly on-site, without the need to download to a computer.
Sand-control screens
 A new brochure from Alloy Machine Works, Inc., describes the company’s line of screens for downhole sand control in oil and gas wells. Included are custom-built sand control screens from 11/2 through 95/8 inches. Several different alloys are available, such as 316L stainless steel, monel 400 and incoloy 825. Rod-base, pipe-base, all-welded wrap-on pipe, pre-pack pipe base and diffusion-bonded well screens are detailed.
Wireless data acquisition
 AnTech Ltd introduced the DAQ>W 2.0, a new data-acquisition system that transmits data wirelessly via narrow-band radio from the wellsite. DAQ>W is a modular configuration comprised of a computer equipped with custom software, a receiving unit, a number of transmitting units, and a network of sensors. Each sensor is connected to a battery-powered ATEX-certified transmitter that is approved for use in Zone 0 hazardous areas. As data are acquired by the sensors, they are stored in memory within the transmitting unit, and then transmitted at regular intervals at a data rate of 160 bits/sec to the receiving unit in the control cabin. Range is 100 to 200 m (depending on environmental conditions). Readings are displayed immediately. The unit is equipped internally with batteries that have a one-year lifespan and provide power for six 20-mA sensors. There are no attached lines or wires. The DAQ>W 2.0 system may be configured to operate a wide range of sensors for other applications, including CT drilling, and workover or wireline operations.
Hydrate inhibitor
Nalco Company has introduced the KHI-MAX low-dosage hydrate inhibitor (LDHI) program. This technology combines polymeric, low-dosage hydrate inhibitor with methanol or ethylene glycol. The system is suitable for deepwater applications, because it can perform in high sub-cooling environments. Its lower dose rates result in simplified logistics. KHI-MAX is specifically formulated for umbilical applications. Additionally, well life may be extended with the use of the program. The chemistry has been designed to handle systems with higher water cuts, which can require production curtailment or abandonment when using methanol alone.
Rugged slate tablet PC
Itronix Corp. introduced the Duo-Touch Tablet PC, a portable, wireless, rugged slate tablet PC. The Duo-Touch feature updates include an Intel Pentium M processor 733, integrated GPS, more memory, a brighter display, and a more rugged case. The new dual-mode touch panel provides both a passive touch screen and standard digitizer, or active, touch screen. The Tablet PC utilizes the Mobile Intel 915GM Express Chipset, delivering better performance without compromising battery life, as well as superior thermal management. This PC uses the Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC operating system, making it user-friendly to field workers already familiar with the XP operating system.
Hazardous-area products
 Hawke International has published a new short-form catalog of connectors, cable glands, enclosures and other electrical components for use in explosive or hazardous areas and harsh environments. The company provides a full range of world-class cable glands, connectors and enclosures that conform to international standards and are tested by certifying authorities worldwide.
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