The new feature of the Roxar MPFM 2600 is the Zector technology that has three main elements: the Voxel-based signal processing, the DP26 electrode geometry, and new impedance electronics. (Image courtesy of Roxar)

Visualization receives a boost

NVIDIA has unveiled the Quadro FX 5800 GPU solution. Using NVIDIA’s latest-generation G100 processor, the Quadro FX 5800 contains a massive parallel architecture of 240 processor cores and more than double the memory of earlier systems, giving geophysicists the tools they need to tackle the most demanding visualization, analytical, and modeling tasks.

One notable feature of the Quadro FX 5800 is the amount of onboard memory. Housing 4 GB of memory, an industry first, this makes it possible to visualize momumental datasets with ease. The Quadro FX 5800 also provides access to the memory because of greatly expanded memory bandwidth. With a 512-bit interface, it delivers overall bandwidth of approximately 102 GB/sec, allowing for great accuracy and precision when identifying deposits.

NVIDIA has expanded the color palette on the new Quadro FX 5800. Featuring 30-bit color, the GPU solution delivers more than 1 billion colors, 64 times greater than what is available today. To fully utilize this solution, it requires a 30-bit compatible software and displays such as the new DisplayPort panels from HP and Dell.
Users also have access to double-precision, 64-bit floating point capability, as the board is CUDA-enabled. www.nvidia.com

ARIES II provides productivity, cost-effectiveness

Aram recently commercialized its ARIES II land seismic acquisition system. Successful field trials of ARIES II on a survey in North Dakota with Conquest Seismic Services Inc. in 2008 showcased the productivity and cost-effectiveness of the new system. ARIES II builds upon the market success of ARIES I but implements an entirely new system architecture that dramatically improves channel capacity while also ensuring efficient equipment deployment and maximum system performance.

Milt Tetzlaff, chief operating officer of Conquest Seismic, commented on the project, “The ARIES II acquisition system delivered superior performance in inclement weather conditions, including wind gusts in excess of 40 mph. With more than 10,000 live channels in a 3-D acquisition that covered approximately 42 sq miles (109 sq km) and a tight deadline that required the project to be completed before spring, productivity and system reliability were critical factors for success. Our crew was able to easily understand the new system software, including the innovative Patch-View quality control application that gave us the opportunity to monitor the quality of thousands of channels of data in real time.”

ARIES II is a robust cable-based 24-bit seismic acquisition recording platform with improved capabilities in high channel-count surveys. Built upon a new system architecture that features automatic network load balancing and rerouting, ARIES II can support real-time data recording of 24,000 channels (at 2 ms). Developed to accommodate any acquisition environment and climate, ARIES II offers contractors the operational flexibility to cost-effectively manage complex 2-D, 3-D, and 4-D projects in both land and transition zone environments and also offers new functionality to support high-productivity Vibroseis operations. www.iongeo.com

Third generation multiphase meter launched

Roxar ASA has launched its third-generation multiphase meter — the Roxar Multiphase meter 2600 based on its Zector Technology.
As the most important new feature of the Roxar MPFM 2600, the Zector technology has three main elements: Voxel-based signal processing, DP26 electrode geometry, and new impedance electronics.

The technology comes with new measurement principles. The meter’s Zector Technology consists of new field electronics, new electrode arrangements, and sophisticated voxel-based signal processing, which will provide higher accuracy than was previously available. The technology allows for a large number of simultaneous sectors
of flow to be investigated at 12,000 measurements per second, giving unparalleled possibilities for interpretation.

The technology allows for an accurate understanding of flow regimes, mixing effects, and velocity profiles. It can detect rapid changes in composition, thereby making the measurements even more accurate and consistent than other available technology. The new technology measures multiple oil and gas flow velocities as a function of its 4-D location; for example, near-wall velocity will be different than center-of-pipe velocity. Velocities will also vary over time due to composition, turbulence, viscosity, and other effects.

The MPFM 2600 comes in a new, simple, and lightweight design that, at 220 lbs and 25.5 in., is 80% lighter and 50% shorter than previous Roxar multiphase meters. This allows operators to install the MPFM 2600 on individual wells and in previously inaccessible locations. The standard version of the MPFM 2600 is without radioactive technology and covers the full operating range 0 to 100% watercut and 0 to 100% gas void fractions (GVF). For special applications or GVF above 95% it is recommended to add a compact gamma density system to the meter. www.roxar.com

Company takes delivery of innovative equipment

International oilfield service company Expro has taken delivery of the only e-line and logging unit of its kind in the North Sea. It will shortly begin work for various customers in the UK sector of the North Sea.

The innovative e-line unit with integrated logging cabin has been built specifically for the company. The winch is a similar type of unit used by the wireline department for slickline operations, the difference being that the unit has a longer cabin so a logging rack can be fitted. This enables the logging engineer to sit with the slickline operator while the job is ongoing. As the unit is one piece of equipment, it doesn’t take up as much space as having both a winch unit and an icebox (a pressurized container where the logging equipment and engineer would normally live).

The unit is compatible with all logging department tools and is suitable for slickline, braided line, and e-line, operations. It is fully pressurized and ties into platform fire and gas systems. It also boasts field-exchangeable dual-drum winch frames.

Investment in this unit was spurred by new work with Shell and Total and also projects in the southern North Sea with customers such as ATP, Perenco, and Gaz de France. www.exprogroup.com

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