Cable recording system streamlines land seismic operations

The INOVA Geophysical G3i cable-based channel recording system is a flexible, portable technology that can be used to capture 2-D, 3-D, and 4-D data in a wide range of land seismic surveys, including high-density wide-azimuth acquisition in challenging environments.

The G3i land recording system supports more than 100,000 channels and features advanced ground electronics and high-productivity vibroseis capabilities. It also has a rugged aircraft-grade aluminum enclosure and polycarbonate exterior for improved durability in the field.

According to INOVA, the system requires less field equipment to transport, maintain, and troubleshoot, so surveys can be carried out with more efficiency. For example, the unit deploys power-down-the-line technology to evenly distribute battery power to multiple field station units using the power supply and fiber tap units along with standard 12V batteries. Additionally, these ground electronics consume only 235MW of power per channel measured at the power supply, the company said. The system also features a 1.2-kg compact remote acquisition module station with four analog channels, as opposed to using the existing single channel stations offered by competitors. Inovageo.com/G3i

The INOVA G3i land recording system has been successfully deployed by BGP for high-productivity vibroseis techniques in a western China oil field. (Image courtesy of INOVA Geophysical)

New service improves directional control in unconventional zones

PathFinder, a Schlumberger company, has released the iPZIG at-bit inclination, gamma ray, and imaging service to optimize well placement through early bed boundary detection, specifically in high-efficiency drilling applications. The new at-bit imaging service has been successfully tested in unconventional zones such as coalbed methane, heavy oil, and shale plays in North America and Australia.

According to the company, the iPZIG service features sensors placed directly behind the drill bit, providing greater directional control and accuracy while drilling when compared to conventional technologies. Data reflecting changes in lithology and bottomhole assembly orientation also can be identified using the new service, so rapid geosteering adjustments in the well trajectory can be made while staying in the production zone longer. These data help reduce directional drilling risks and allow for optimal well placement in critical hole sections.

In one application in a North American shale play, the operator drilled a 1,524-m (5,000-ft), 8½-in. lateral section in an abrasive formation. The iPZIG at-bit measurements were used to control well trajectory, enabling the bit to remain in the target zone 100% of the time, according to PathFinder. slb.com/ipzig

Latest ROV offers upgrades for speed, agility in deep water

The Tomahawk multi-role ROV manufactured by the Forum Subsea Technologies Sub-Atlantic product line can be deployed in demanding deepwater environments such as in the Gulf of Mexico, Brazil, and West Africa and requires less personnel and a reduced level of specialism to operate relative to electro-hydraulic work-class systems, the company said.

The latest Sub-Atlantic ROV offering is rated to 3,000 m (10,000 ft) water depth and can be used for survey, well intervention, and drilling support tasks. Combined with the Sub-Atlantic 3,000v, 400Hz small diameter tether technology makes the product’s speed and agility ideal for live-boating operations as well, according to Forum Subsea. It also can be equipped with a 10kW hydraulic power unit for running heavy-duty manipulators, tools, and work skids and features a 35kW power system. The open deck space and payload are supported by a large buoyancy area, providing a stable platform.

Additional features include coarse wave division multiplexing and dual gigabit Ethernet options and a communication junction box to easily integrate the operators’ own equipment, which can be monitored, controlled, and diagnosed using the Forum Subsea Sub-Atlantic subCAN system. F-e-t.com

Garaged facing inward, the Sub-Atlantic Tomahawk multirole ROV can simultaneously carry camera boom arms on the front and TSS440 search coils on the rear. Garaged facing outward, it can be fitted with manipulators (front) and intervention tooling (rear). (Image courtesy of Forum Subsea Technologies)

Corrosion, marine debris cleaning system maintains onstream assets

Paradigm Flow Services has launched the Pure-Flow chemical cleaning system to aid in the removal of corrosion accumulation and marine growth in fire mains critical to the safe operation of offshore oil and gas installations. The new solution is particularly effective in eliminating buildup in aging assets, where pipe work can be older than 25 years, according to Paradigm.

The chemical treatment works to remediate biofilm, marine growth, and corrosion caused by bacteria, which can restrict water flow, thin pipeline walls, and cause blockages in deluge nozzles. Pure-Flow is generated in situ and can be injected into a live fire main system while maintaining pressure and without having to shut down operations or dismantle pipe work, such as in traditional methods like high-pressure jetting. The cleaning agent also degrades quickly into sea salt after use and is approved for use in environmentally sensitive areas, the company said.

As part of the Paradigm firewater deluge liftetime solutions, the system includes internal video inspections backed by deluge testing results showing that blockages and restrictions have been eliminated and helping operators comply with HSE inspections. Paradigmflow.com

New pressure pumping vessel to set sail for North Sea in 2013

A Baker Hughes pressure pumping vessel currently under construction has been chartered by a subsidiary to provide offshore stimulation services on Maersk Oil’s assets in the North Sea. The eighth stimulation vessel in the Baker Hughes pressure pumping fleet, the Blue Orca will feature enhanced safety systems with redundant back-up blending and pumping capabilities to support high-rate and high-volume multizone fracturing operations and minimize delays in high-cost offshore environments, the company said.

The vessel will be rated to 15,000 psi and offer 15,000 hydraulic horsepower pumping capacity as well as the ability to pump at rates of more than 60 bbl/min. Engineering work on the marine and stimulation systems is under way, and completion is set for late 2013. Bakerhughes.com

Software suite improves reservoir characterization analysis

The CGGVeritas company Hampson-Russell Software and Services has redesigned its suite of reservoir characterization applications across a wide range of seismic exploration and reservoir characterization technology platforms, such as AVO analysis and inversion to 4-D and multicomponent interpretation. The HRS-9 software suite features new architecture that includes a common intuitive interface and data management system to improve custom workflows.

According to CGGVeritas, the software interface acts as a dashboard, integrating all functionality from the previously separate programs into a single application. This solutions-based approach to reservoir characterization provides geoscientists with more in-depth data analysis, further reducing exploration risk, the company said.

Additional advancements include multi-threaded 64-bit computing, allowing for the managed use of multiple CPU cores, batch processing for optimum resource scheduling, and the ability to cross-link output and input processes. Cggveritas.com

The ability to differentiate facies type along with its probability of occurrence using the enhanced HRS-9 software suite can yield much more refined risk analysis. (Image courtesy of

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