Microseismic system improves signal-to-noise ratio
The Schlumberger MS Recon high-fidelity microseismic surface acquisition system provides improved imaging of hydraulic fracture geometry by optimizing the microseismic signal quality, according to a Schlumberger product announcement. The product is for surface and shallow-grid microseismic surveys. It is designed to address the challenges of detecting small microseismic signals emitted during hydraulic fracturing at the surface and near-surface locations by improving signal-to-noise ratio during acquisition, said Joseph Elkhoury, vice president and general manager of Microseismic Services at Schlumberger. The microseismic system features a proprietary geophone accelerometer and ultra-low-noise electronics to produce a wide range of signal detectability. GPS-synchronized data are acquired continuously and transmitted to a real-time operations support center. In field trials in a horizontal shale completion, data analysis showed the system improved the sensitivity to smaller microseismic events by boosting signal-to-noise ratio more than twofold compared to the conventional system, the release said. slb.com/MSRecon

Twin sealing on PRT boosts resilience, long-term deployment
First Subsea Ltd. integrated the Hyperlast 101 Twin Sealing system with its range of pipeline recovery tools (PRTs) used to recover subsea flowline and gas export production pipelines to the surface. The twin polyurethane seals increase the PRT’s resilience and scope for long-term deployment in deep water and ultra-deep water. The sealing system includes the primary and secondary composite Hyperlast 101 seals in combination with an internal check valve for shallow and deepwater applications. The tool’s Ballgrab pipe-grip mechanism is suitable for loads of more than 1,200 mt. The PRTs are designed to handle API 5L and DNV 450 pipelines with diameters of 2 in. to 48 in. at both low and high sealing pressures. The tool’s modular design allows a number of optional modules to be added, including a dewatering seal, ROV-friendly hot stab, pig catcher, and check valve. firstsubsea.com

Narrow laser enhances sensitivity for acoustic sensing
Applied Optoelectronics Inc. has made an ultra-narrow linewidth laser available for acoustic sensing applications, the company said in a press release. The new sensing laser uses an external-cavity design to produce a spectrally pure beam. The ultra-narrow linewidth of less than 100 kHz is approximately 500 times narrower than comparable distributed feedback lasers without the external cavity design; this allows the construction of acoustic sensors with better pressure sensitivity. This technology can be used in distributed sensors that are introduced within a wellbore to monitor pressure and temperature. It also can be used in seismic applications for higher-resolution reservoir mapping or for near real-time monitoring of hydraulic fracture propagation, the release said. ao-inc.com

Service provides more accurate knowledge of fracture height
FracHeight service from Pinnacle Technologies, a Halliburton service, is a hybrid tool that combines fiber-optic wireline-conveyed microseismic receivers with Pinnacle’s downhole tiltmeter sensors that directly measure the formation movement associated with fracture dilation. Determining fracture height can sometimes be a challenge when relying on microseismic monitoring alone, the release said. In multistage fractures where shallow microseisms clearly exist, identifying the cause – whether it’s the actual fracture opening, natural fractures, a result of a critically stressed zone shearing, or some other mechanism – sometimes requires additional information. By incorporating microdeformation measurements made by downhole tiltmeters, the service provides definitive evidence of fracture dilation for more accurate fracture mapping with insight on actual fracture deformation as a function of depth. Improved knowledge of the subsurface allows for better asset development and increased completion and fracture efficiency, the release said. halliburton.com

Technology suite fights ghosting at three stages of processing
Geotrace has developed a technology suite of deghosting techniques called HDBand. The suite focuses on the recovery of low and high frequencies to produce clean, sharp, and high-resolution seismic images, especially in marine reservoir applications. The marine deghosting techniques are designed to be flexible and applicable at three key stages of a processing sequence: pre-imaging; post-imaging; and post-stack for various streamer configurations at constant, slant, or variable depths. A pre-imaging application can improve the resolution for better velocity analysis and a more detailed final image, the release said, while a post-imaging application can be efficient and cost-effective for amplitude vs. offset/amplitude vs. angle and inversion applications. For reservoir characterization, a post-stack application can be cost-effective when prestack data is not available. HDBand works with other techniques such as Q compensation and spectral whitening. geotrace.com

Tool offers alternative for subsea communications, control
The Artemis 2G (A2G) subsea electronics module from Proserv is a subsea controls and communications tool that frees operators from the constraints of an existing brownfield umbilical by finding additional signal capacity to enable a cost-effective field upgrade or extension, according to a Proserv product announcement. A2G also offers high-speed copper-based multidrop networks as an alternative to fiber-optic infrastructures within the subsea production system. The module provides accessibility for remote usage through its webpage interface from subsea to desktop and offers advanced configuration and diagnostics to deliver adaptable communications. The system has been developed as an evolution of the company’s suite of subsea control modules and is compliant with the latest ISO 13628 part 6, API 17F, and Subsea Instrumentation Interface Standardization. It can be used with existing networks and technology. proserv.com

Coiled tubing system extends reach for blockage remediation
Paradigm Flow Services launched its Flexi-Coil Extended Reach for riser and flowline blockage remediation and internal inspection. While conventional methods for remediation are limited because of difficulties to overcome bends and safely navigate beyond 200 m (656 ft), this miniature coiled tubing system has been proven in tests up to 2,000 m (6,562 ft), a Paradigm press release said. The system can be deployed in situ into risers and flowlines and provides a safe solution to unblock these lines when working from an FPSO unit. It can carry out high-pressure jetting and chemical and nitrogen injection over long distances to de-sand, de-wax, and depressurize hydrate plugs, the release said. Rather than disconnecting risers and bringing another rig on site to carry out conventional coiled tubing for the remediation of production systems, the Flexi-Coil system allows the shut-in line to be left in situ and entered using existing facilities, reducing the risk for operators, said Rob Bain, Paradigm’s managing director. Paradigm also can attach monitoring devices and retrieve and analyze debris to provide assurance on operational success. paradigm.eu

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