TECH TRENDS

Modeling software facilitates CO₂ emission reduction

AspenTech’s latest update to the aspenONE engineering software suite recently introduced new models for CO₂ capture and acid gas removal. According to the company, the technology uses the Aspen Plus process simulator to help process manufacturers easily achieve regulatory compliance by simplifying the tracking and calculation of their CO₂ emissions from all sources to manage it better. The technology creates better carbon capture and biofuel process models using the company’s comprehensive physical properties database. Improved amine solvent models enable users to make closer process predictions. The models also help users improve their designs and optimize them for energy use and carbon loading. In addition, the technology can help to reduce CO₂ emissions by converting them into reusable biofuel, the company said. A new upgrade to the software includes a new user interface that optimizes workflow and streamlines user collaboration to save time, capital, and energy costs for project design, revamps, and plant operations. .

Electronically driven winches minimize offshore footprint

Cargotec’s new offshore MacGregor anchor handling/ towing winches are now electrically driven to enable improved operations and a reduced environmental impact. According to the company, the new line of winches combines reduced power consumption and low installation costs with safe operations and easy maintenance. The winches have line pulls that range from 200 tonnes to 600 tonnes with an initial speed up to 25 m/min (82 ft/min). Each winch has a brake holding capacity up to 800 tonnes. The extended shaft connections that are used to fit chain wheels handle chains ranging from 77 mm to 160 mm in diameter. The tool is driven by an AC variable frequency electric motor through an enclosed helical bevel gearbox, which has a freshwater-cooled, hydraulic, disc brake system that enables smooth changing between operational speed modes.

Control features such as the length, speed, and tension-monitoring system are incorporated in touch screens and remote control panels. The controls also can be integrated into an ergonomically designed operator chair.

Flameless thermal unit elimintates production downtime in GoM

Superior Energy Services Inc. has reconfigured its flameless thermal unit, a tool used to heat both aqueous and nonaqueous fluids to remediate organic deposits that build up in downhole production equipment. The unit can now heat fluids faster than previous versions and has a remodeled frame design and internal structure. The technology can reach a maximum temperature up to 54% higher (93 C°; 200 F°) than comparable models, according to the company. The tool also can be used to break emulsions in deepwater flowbacks when fluids return to the surface at low temperatures.

An operator recently used the thermal unit in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM), according to a case study released by Superior. The tool broke emulsion that was preventing the use of well testing equipment and causing production downtime. Forty-eight hours of nonproductive time was eliminated, with the savings from the operation totaling approximately US $1 million. .

Shear history simulator prepares fracturing fluids for testing

Chandler Engineering’s model 5600 shear history simulator simplifies the process of preparing and loading water-based fracturing fluids into rotational viscometers for testing, according to the company. The system is complete with a pressurized fluid reservoir, two injection pumps, and three capillaries. Pumping conditions are simulated via the capillaries, which pump fluid at various rates and durations, similar to those experienced during fracture simulation treatments. Each capillary is 36 m (120 ft) long and has a 0.085-in. internal diameter. Users can configure the unit to simulate a broad range of well conditions through use of the valve panel, which has a graphical representation of flow paths. Up to 100 ml/min of fluid is delivered by a high-pressure, corrosion-resistant, stainless steel triplex injection pump and up to 9.99 ml/min of crosslinker additive is delivered by a separate pump with similar qualities. The system can be operated manually or run using software offered by the company. .

New science for improved E&P decision-making

The 2012 release of the Petrel E&P software platform provides new science for exploration, development, and production. A shared earth model enables users across the spectrum of E&P disciplines to integrate information and expertise to create a robust reservoir representation. Included is the Studio E&P knowledge environment, which enables enterprise knowledge capture and sharing amongst users. The software platform’s enhanced prestack seismic interpretation, pre- and post-stack simultaneous inversion, reservoir AVO modeling, and a suite of processing tools bridge the gap between interpretation and processing workflows. Improved structural interpretation capabilities enable the interpreter to visualize and delineate complex geology. Edge detection and illumination attributes enable prompt validation of the horizon and fault framework. Integrated “Play-to-Prospect” risk assessment facilitates systematic evaluation of the four key exploration risk factors – trap, reservoir, charge, and seal – and enables geoscientists to effectively communicate risk factors and potential reward volumes to decision-makers.

RFID tags help locate, track offshore assets

New release of frequency identification (RFID) tags designed by Arnlea can be used in hazardous areas, more specifically on FPSOs, drilling rigs, and offshore platforms. The tags are designed to withstand a wide range of environmental conditions and are expected to survive for the life of the equipment to which they are assigned. The technology can be easily applied to a wide range of equipment and enables users to identify the equipment by simply scanning the item. The simplicity of the barcode-like function of this technology practically eliminates human error and improves the efficiency of operations, according to the company. Knowledge of the equipment also can be easily distributed and processed, which the company said increases productivity as well as the return on existing assets. .

NORM monitor now available for oil and gas market

A new handheld monitor that screens for naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) from Tracerco, the TRACERCO NORM Monitor-IS, has now been revamped to meet the requirements of the oil and gas industry. Because it can now be used in potentially explosive environments, operators may use this device to detect and quantify naturally occurring radioactive isotopes, measuring all contamination levels within a certain radius. The handset features one-touch integration to facilitate measuring low levels of radiation to improve accuracy. Additions for the technology include a precautionary warning alarm system, a one touch background measurement for automatically calculating background levels for accurate subtraction, and a monitoring probe that allows 360° uniform radiation detection.