ADR uses very little power and transmits EM signals that are non-ionising and not harmful to humans and the environment. (Image courtesy of Adrok Ltd.)

New seismic data management software

Landmark, a brand of Halliburton's Drilling and Evaluation Division, has released SeisSpace R5000 software. The new software package addresses operator and contractor needs by delivering the time and depth domain processing tools required to process and quality-check large volumes of seismic data and provide high-quality seismic images. It also provides an open processing platform to support proprietary technology and specialty processing services.

SeisSpace R5000 allows users to efficiently manage seismic data on the latest multicore CPUs and storage devices with the addition of more effective noise suppression from a suite of true 3-D applications including a 3-D FKK filter, spatial mix, and FX-Y decon as well as a new surface-related multiple elimination tool.

Specifically, the software makes prestack seismic data easily available to the interpreter, encouraging collaborative interpretive processing workflows that allow seismic processors to become much more vital contributors to the asset team. The software supports visualization of 3-D, 4-D, and even 5-D pre-stack volumes and provides a direct connection and publishing link to Landmark’s OpenWorks project database for these datasets, allowing interpreters to seamlessly access data and collaborate with processors. Seismic processors can now view an entire 3-D seismic survey at once and interactively work anywhere in the survey to test parameters, remove noise, and condition the data for interpretation.

SeisSpace is a component of Landmark’s synchronous R5000 release that includes upgrades to more than 70 products spanning all disciplines within the E&P lifecycle. 

Fiber-optic technology for heavy oil recovery

Schlumberger has introduced its new WellWatcher BriteBlue harsh environment multimode fiber and WellWatcher Ultra distributed temperature acquisition system.

The WellWatcher BriteBlue harsh environment multimode fiber can be used as a distributed sensor for applications such as distributed temperature sensing or for high-speed communication between downhole sensors and a surface acquisition unit. 

The new-generation fiber was designed especially for use in extreme heat and hydrogen environments-environments that can cause most optical fibers to degrade in physical integrity and performance over time. The new design and technology make WellWatcher BriteBlue particularly suitable for thermal heavy oil recovery applications.

The WellWatcher Ultra distributed temperature system surface unit acquires downhole temperature profiles. The versatile new system can measure up to 9 miles (15 km) of fiber at a meter’s resolution, update data in just a few seconds, resolve temperatures to 31°F (0.01°C), and interrogate numerous fibers from one surface system.

As soon as a measurement is taken, data are available for downstream applications and are communicated using various industry-standard or customized protocols. With new architecture, design, and manufacturing methods, the unit is rugged and is suitable for both permanent monitoring and intervention techniques in all environments.

Extensive field testing of the WellWatcher BriteBlue and WellWatcher Ultra technologies was performed in the US and Canada in extremely high temperatures (downhole temperature greater than 481°F or 250°C). These tests demonstrated no discernible reduction in fiber or measurement performance and provided users with far more insight into the zones contributing the most to a well’s production during transient conditions.

Schlumberger has been successfully installing WellWatcher BriteBlue in the harsh conditions of heavy oil thermal recovery wells in Canada since April 2007. These wells reach temperatures as high as 571°F (300°C) and can provide a real challenge for fiber survivability. One injection well in particular that is often run at temperatures around 571°F had rendered the previously best available fiber unusable through hydrogen degradation in less than a month. This fiber was replaced with WellWatcher BriteBlue in September 2007 and more than a year later shows no signs of degradation.

New subsurface geophysical mapper

Adrok Ltd. has launched a new subsurface imaging system that measures and classifies subsurface lithology and rock properties. The system, called the Atomic Dielectric Resonance (ADR) scanner, can accurately identify rocks, rock sequences, and hydrocarbons to depths of 2.5 miles (4 km) and beyond based on permittivity, energy, frequency, and phase values of natural rocks.

The system is a patented investigative technique that involves measurement and interpretation of resonant energy responses of natural or synthetic materials to the interaction of pulsed electromagnetic radiowaves or microwaves from materials that permit the applied energy to pass through the material.

The system measures atomic permittivity non-invasively and generates a virtual wellbore log of lithology from the ground surface to depths as normally experienced during oil and gas operations. Adrok has deployed ADR on a number of independent onshore projects. 

These field trials concluded that ADR successfully identifies subsurface oil and gas horizons and the presence of minerals at depth. The best vertical and horizontal target resolution achieved by the system was better than 3.2 ft (1 m).

The scanner is lightweight, hand portable, and can be deployed onshore from a four-wheel-drive vehicle or offshore from a small vessel. 

The scanner currently is being used onshore. Adrok plans to introduce the system for offshore survey work later this year. 

Production of the SpeedStar SS-1100 rig announced

The George E. Failing Co. (GEFCO) has announced the production of a new drilling rig, the SpeedStar SS-1100 (SS-1100). The rig is capable of drilling vertically to 15,000 ft (4,575 m), while the depth will vary for horizontal drilling.

The rig features controls that allow the drill to be monitored from a remote location. This allows the service department to diagnose and prevent maintenance issues before they occur, saving time. The controls also keep the drilling crew away from the actual drilling, making the drilling process safer.

One advantage of the new design is the rig’s ability to set up in mountainous areas due to its smaller size, the company said. The SS-1100 rig was designed to reach areas that have to be cleared to allow a rig to get to the drill site.

The rig will also cut setup time in half. Once on a site, the rig can begin drilling within a few hours, which allows the job to be completed more quickly.

Wireless technology helps Chevron improve safety, increase production

Chevron’s San Ardo, Calif., oilfield operations boosted personnel safety, reduced wastewater discharge, and improved time and strategy for production using two Emerson Smart Wireless networks to monitor its steam injection process and measure downhole well pressures.

Wireless Rosemount pressure transmitters are installed at eight stations and on multiple steam lines leading to out-of-service wells undergoing steam injection at the company’s operations in the San Joaquin Valley. Chevron switched to wireless monitoring after a wireless demonstration on one well confirmed the operator’s suspicion that steam usage was actually much higher than what had been previously recorded.

The over-steaming created more wastewater, which had to be pumped from the well and treated before being discharged into wetlands draining into the Salinas River. The over-steaming also meant the company was using more natural gas than necessary to produce the steam.

This new technology has improved operator safety and reduced maintenance and travel costs. Personnel no longer need to visit the injection wells to collect data from traditional chart recorders or to check instruments for proper operation. A gateway communicates reliable data to the oil field’s control room via an Ethernet network connection.

Chevron saved US $60,000 in installation costs by choosing the wireless battery-powered network over monitoring devices requiring hard-wired power.