Tech Trends

Easier measuring of angles, dips, strikes
CGG GeoSoftware has released a new version of InsightEarth, its software suite that accelerates 3-D visualization and interpretation, according to a product annoucement. High-impact improvements in structural and stratigraphic interpretation capabilities enable oil and gas company interpretation teams to deliver more accurate interpretations with fewer people in less time. These can now generate powerful outcomes quickly with much faster workflows to rework legacy datasets for missed opportunities, the release stated. InsightEarth version 3.0.2 offers improved advanced fault enhancement tools for easier measuring of angles, dips and strikes in real time, producing on-the-spot answers for quick decisions. Users can create projects more quickly with fewer steps and easily access visible windows during each stage. Customizable color bars allow the user to quickly view and understand the value range within volumes. New stratigraphic interpretation capabilities pinpoint areas of interest, streamlining collaboration within interpretation teams and yielding greater geological knowledge from seismic data. cgg.com

Live QRA view transforms offshore risk metrics, improves operations
Offshore operators need access to quantitative risk analyses (QRA) to support daily operational decisions. If the data are not presented clearly and intuitively, the operator might not take important information into account, causing uncertainties and unqualified decisions. With DNV GL’s new Safeti Offshore Viewer, operators can view QRAs live, a company product announcement stated. The Viewer is a dynamic results application for Safeti Offshore, which allows detailed quantitative risk analysis and accurate modeling of hazardous events such as fire, smoke, toxic releases or explosions on fixed or floating platforms. Safeti Offshore provides detailed escalation analysis with the ability to account for the influence of a vast array of safety systems and barriers (e.g., isolation, blowdown, blast and firewalls). The Viewer allows operators to display and examine event trees and view 3-D consequence results. The simple and clean interface is designed for consumers of risk information at all levels of the organization. Analysts run the calculations in Safeti Offshore Viewer and publish the results, which can then be accessed and reviewed by other users. dnvgl.com

Saving rig path time
The proprietary Delmar Quick Release (DQR) was successfully installed and activated on a traditionally moored semisubmersible mobile offshore drilling unit in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, a press release stated. Eight DQRs were installed in offshore mooring systems and deployed for more than 160 days in about 2,377 m (7,800 ft) of water. The DQR was used to save critical path rig time during transit from an offshore drilling site. Through detailed planning and efficient offshore execution, using the DQR resulted in about 3.5 days of saved rig time during disconnection operations. In addition, the DQR was used during weather that prohibited the use of the anchor handling vessel’s ROV, which would have further delayed the rig move schedule. The patent-pending DQR is an in-line mooring component developed by Delmar Systems Inc. with a simple mechanical release feature that allows a vessel to separate from its mooring system while the lines are under tension. The system allows the rig to safely and efficiently offset or depart from a moored location with or without the use of support vessels, alleviating the need for waiting on vessels to mobilize and arrive. delmarus.com

CO₂ scrubbing technology for early flowback gas
Linde Gases, a division of The Linde Group, has released its mobile technology to economically remove CO₂ from early flowback natural gas, giving producers a cost-effective way to increase recovery and achieve green completions, a press release stated. The new mobile gas cleanup unit (MGCU) uses a membrane technology to remove up to 98% of the CO₂ in the production stream. It was designed to improve well economics with an emphasis on enhanced productivity or EUR, reduced environmental footprint, and improved economics of the field. Natural gas typically contains trace amounts of CO₂. But when a well is fractured with energized fluids containing CO₂ to boost recovery, the early flowback gas might exceed pipeline specifications. The most common practice is to flare off the gas until the well cleans up enough to meet specifications. “Linde has created an economical and environmentally friendly alternative to flaring,” said Robin Watts, program manager, well completions at Linde North America. “Our mobile gas cleanup unit scrubs CO₂ so producers can monetize early flowback natural gas while minimizing flaring and greenhouse gas emissions. One of the many challenges producers face is finding a way to improve well economics while complying with environmental regulations. Linde has designed the MGCU so operators can employ it profitably even during relatively short windows of operation and at low natural gas prices.” linde.com

Subsea motion, logging sensor systems process data in real time
Pulse Structural Monitoring, an Acteon company, has released a third-generation INTEGRIpod platform as a new addition to its INTEGRI range of structural monitoring sensor systems, a press release stated. Typical applications for the INTEGRIpod range include linear displacement and static and dynamic inclination of subsea structures such as BOPs, wellheads, conductor systems, mooring lines and jumpers. With onboard processing capabilities, measured data are processed in real time and transmitted wirelessly or hardwired, enabling instantaneous operational decision-making. The new platform also allows deployments in excess of one year between battery changeouts due to new features such as “smart logging,” which enables the device to deploy and only record phenomena over client-defined thresholds. Sandip Ukani, technical director at Pulse, said, “The platform allows communication over various connectivity options, including hardwired and acoustic, and can communicate over various industry-standard open communication standards such as RS232/485. Additionally, a multitude of connectors allows direct integration of Pulse’s proven sensor family, including the INTEGRIstick (curvature sensor) and INTEGRIstrain (custom-bonded strain gauge packages) in addition to any third-party sensor package.” pulse-monitoring.com

Linerless containment system protects against spills, leaks
Newpark Mats and Integrated Services has released its DEFENDER linerless spill containment system, a press release stated. The system offers two levels of protection against spills and leaks with its DX4 Sealing Technology. Featuring redundant seals integrated into the overlapping and interlocking lips of the company’s DURABASE mats, the system reduces and in some cases completely eliminates the need for liners. Up to $1 million in insurance coverage for environmental cleanup also is available to qualifying customers. The DEFENDER reduces the total cost of operations by minimizing the risks associated with liner use, such as rips and tears that result in added maintenance and repair costs. In addition, it also reduces or completely eliminates the costs associated with liner installation and removal, including trucking and disposal expenses. The DEFENDER system also features a proprietary cellar protection component that fully integrates with the redundant DX4 Sealing Technology. This specialized component offers a third layer of protection at the most critical region where spills are most likely to occur: the cellar. In addition, wall berms and drive-over berms improve work site safety by easing access to the work platform and minimizing the environmental impact to surrounding areas with additional splash protection, the company said. The berms connect directly to the sealed matting system. Site installation also is simplified with the use of Newpark’s custom-designed grappling truck, ensuring optimum seal-to-seal contact while facilitating rigorous quality control. newpark.com