Technologies improve well placement, drilling performance in extreme temperatures

Schlumberger launched the TeleScope ICE ultrahightemperature MWD service and PowerDrive ICE ultrahightemperature rotary steerable system (RSS). These new technologies enable standard drilling operations in reservoirs with extreme temperatures, expanding the applications and the range of the PowerDrive RSS and Scope measurement services, a product announcement said. The PowerDrive ICE RSS is the only commercially available RSS rated to 200 C (392 F), and together with the TeleScope ICE MWD service, these technologies make up the industry’s first 200-C bottomhole assembly. The fully rotating RSS provides precise directional control and automatic steering, resulting in increased ROP and reduced operational risks in ultrahigh-temperature wells, the announcement said. The MWD service transmits survey and formation evaluation data at high speed to enable realtime well placement and risk mitigation in harsh drilling conditions. Both technologies include integrated ceramic electronics, or ICE, and multichip modules that are specifically designed and ruggedized for hostile downhole environments. The technologies have been field-tested in the Gulf of Mexico, Mexico, Malaysia and the Gulf of Thailand. slb.com/ultraht


Tool obtains petrophysical data in horizontal, high-angle wellbores

Weatherford has released the Compact Spectral Gamma Ray tool, which is designed to be an efficient and cost-effective means of obtaining petrophysical data where conventional wireline tools are ineffective, including horizontal and high-angle wellbores, the company said. The 2.25-in. outer diameter of the tool enables advanced conveyance techniques in memory mode without the need for expensive and time-consuming wireline pipe-conveyed operations. The tool also reduces toolstring length and operates in small-diameter wellbores. Using multiple high-resolution detectors, the tool delivers precision and repeatability required by the most demanding applications, according to the company. The tool measures potassium, uranium and thorium—the three most common elements found in radioactive sands and shales—and total gamma radiation. These data are used to determine stratigraphic sequencing and correlation and to calculate porosity and clay volume. The spectral component of the tool helps to distinguish hot sands from shale, to identify organic carbon and to differentiate clay types—a key factor in assessing formation permeability. All of these capabilities are designed to help improve the identification of pay zones and to enhance well economics. weatherford.com

TSP diamond hardfacing material protects drilling tools

Cutting & Wear has developed a new thermally stable polycrystalline (TSP) diamond hardfacing material to increase the life of drilling tools operating in highly abrasive environments by up to 10 times and cut the cost of drilling operations, a product announcement said. The new material incorporates Hardide-D, the first successful metallurgically bonded coating for TSP diamonds that is suitable for brazing, extreme loads and aggressive media. Hardide-D has been developed by Hardide Coatings, and coating of the TSP diamonds is performed for Cutting & Wear under an exclusivity agreement. Cutting & Wear in-house wear tests have shown that the new TSP Xtreme inserts give a 200-fold improvement over tungsten carbide inserts. These can be applied on downhole tools that need gauge protection such as stabilizers, bent housings, LWD tools, rotary steerable tools and downhole motor bearings. The TSP Xtreme inserts are applied using Cutting & Wear’s Quick Tip hardfacing system. The whole of the tool can be protected with the TSP Xtreme inserts or critical areas protected with the TSP insert and the rest of the tool protected using standard tungsten carbide inserts. cwuk.com

Software saves time, improves accuracy with 3-D meshing capabilities

DNV GL’s new Sesam GeniE 7 saves time and money with its new meshing capabilities, an advance in engineering software for offshore and ship structures, a press release said. When engineers use the finite element method to calculate the strength needed for offshore and ship structures to withstand forces such as wind and waves, optimal results are dependent on creating an accurate mesh representation in a 3-D model. This has been a time-consuming operation when implementing design changes. With the new Sesam GeniE, engineers can save time and gain accuracy in their results using partial meshing, the release said. The new meshing features of Sesam GeniE can be used on floating and fixed structures for all types of linear analysis and can help users save meshing time during remeshing after a change in structure or mesh settings. Engineers are able to gain high precision by manually changing the mesh and refining the grid. dnvgl.com

Device maximizes production efficiency in SAGD operations

Halliburton’s Completion Tools business line introduced the EquiFlow OptiSteam flow control device (FCD) for steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) injectors. This advanced flow control technology helps operators maximize production efficiency and improve steam-oil ratio by balancing steam injection throughout the length of a completion, a product announcement said. EquiFlow OptiSteam FCD is field-adjustable, allowing operators the ability to make wellsite changes to the flow settings. An optional sleeve provides operators control of steam injection, promoting uniform steam chamber growth. Operators often use more than one device per well, particularly if they need to target specific locations with customized steam injection rates. A typical SAGD project produces tens of thousands of barrels of oil per day, requiring three to four times this amount of water for steam generation. A major operator in Canada is using the EquiFlow OptiSteam FCDs for controlling steam injection points along the horizontal well. This allows optimization of steam energy to the reservoir, increasing efficiencies and accelerating oil recovery. halliburton.com

Well perforation safety technology warns of misfire hazards

Intertek has launched an upgraded stray voltage monitoring system, improving protection for oil and gas industry workers. The PM305 stray voltage monitoring system, an upgraded version of Intertek’s PM205 model, offers updated critical well perforation protection by monitoring stray potentials of up to one volt, ground integrity and stray current. The PM305 also features increased accuracy for monitoring radio frequencies and stores the dates and times of events and alarms, according to a product announcement. Safeguarding well perforation teams from the risk of injuries, the PM305 monitors and raises alarms for hazards that can cause perforation guns to misfire. The new model has two potential ranges that cause alarms to trigger depending upon the perforation gun used. Using an accompanying antenna, the device is able to monitor signals as small as 1 nanowatt and can identify the band of frequency that created the stray signal, helping the team identify the device posing a potential hazard. intertek.com

Land electric drilling module meets China emissions standards

Caterpillar Oil & Gas has released the Cat 3512C (HD) land electric drilling module that meets China Stage III Non-Road Mobile emissions levels. The module offers 1,245 electrical kW at 50 Hz of rated power for land drilling applications, a press release said. The product offers several features engineered specifically to meet the power and load profile of the Asia-Pacific region’s modern electric drilling rigs. Built upon the 3500 platform, the Cat 3512C (HD) is equipped with a rugged base to handle harsh loading and unloading operations. The module has a long overhaul life with core engine components designed for reconditioning and reuse at overhaul, the release said. Additionally, the ease of installation has been enhanced by design commonalities shared with the Cat 3512B drilling package. The product also incorporates Cat Product Link to maximize wellsite efficiency and increase module productivity, according to the release. catoilandgasinfo.com/pr

Comments