TECH TRENDS

Gas monitor eliminates water vapor interference

The PA4000 Photoacoustic Infrared Gas Monitor from General Monitors eliminates interference from water vapors when monitoring gas. It comprises a photoacoustic infrared sensor to monitor gases including hydrocarbons, solvents, alcohols, CO, CO, and others. The gas monitor eliminates cross-sensitivity to water vapor with a sensing technique that determines the amount of water vapor in a sample. It then subtracts those data from the gas reading, allowing the final reading to be stable with no compromise to the sensitivity of the measurement. It is able to operate for months without drift. The technology also can be used by delivering a pressurized sample to the unit. Depending on the specific configuration, the gas monitor has a range of 0 ppm to 1,000 ppm and is accurate to approximately 2 ppm of reading at 0 ppm to 100 ppm and approximately 10% of reading from 100 ppm to 1,000 ppm. For certain gases it detects concentrations as low as 0.01 ppm. The monitor operates in a range of 0°C to 50°C (32°F to 122°F). It has a storage temperature range of -55°C to 70°C (-67°F to 158°F). The technology has a temperature effect of ±0.03% per Celsius degree of reading and operates at a relative humidity range of 0% to 95%, noncondensing. generalmonitors.com? .

Ball actuated frac sleeve provides 62 stages

The Super-Port ball-actuated fracturing sleeve from Peak Completions provides operators with up to 62 independently treated stages using reduced increment ball seats. A single ball is dropped for each stage, and hydraulic pressure shifts the sleeve open to expose stimulation ports. The Super-Port maintains a true 10,000-psi differential rating that offers a solution for stimulation and high frac pressure capabilities, according to the company. The Super-Port uses standard frac balls, which maintain ease of mill-out and low costs.

By using the additional number of large ball sizes, operators can significantly increase the minimum inside diameter (ID) of the system, making it suitable for extended-reach wells with high stage counts, said the company. In addition, a larger minimum ID reduces the pressure drop across the system, providing more flexibility in operations. peakcompletions.com? .

Safety system can now withstand high temperatures

Yokogawa Electric Corp.’s ProSafe-RS R3.02.00 is its latest enhanced, safety-instrumented system that features input/output modules that will operate reliably in high-temperature conditions, according to the company. The ProSafe-RS helps prevent accidents by detecting abnormal conditions in plant operations and initiating emergency actions such as plant shutdown. The system can be fully integrated and has been installed in more than 1,000 projects worldwide since its release in 2005. The technology is primarily to be used in conditions typically encountered in desert locations.

Conventional input/output models had to be mounted far from each other to prevent the accumulation of heat in already high temperatures. In the recent R3.02.00 release, the high-temperature resistant digital and analog input/output modules can be mounted closely together and can operate at ambient temperatures up to 70°C (158°F), reducing the system footprint. To facilitate the replacement of safety-instrumented systems and distributed control systems, the technology has Ethernet-based Modbus/Transmission Control Protocol communications with other systems for added support. yokogawa.com? .

Updated data visualization platform includes Matlab, seismic workbench plug-ins

INT has released the INTViewer 4.5 update to its data visualization platform. INTViewer is a visualization solution for use on any Windows, Mac, Linux, or UNIX operating system and is designed for multiple environments from laptops to workstations. According to the company, it can be used as a framework for geoscientists who wish to customize the application by adding proprietary plug-ins and utilities. The platform is GIGS-compliant to ensure accurate map rendering. It also provides QC functionality such as enhanced trace header tools to extract values into a horizon; create cross-plots or remap values; enter mathematical formulas for well log curves, deviation curves, and markers; and provide more flexible trace processors that are now grouped in one tab for convenience that can be applied multiple times with a customizable order of execution. Copies of horizons can be created and manipulated, and 4-D horizons can be created from 3-D horizons. The 4.5 update introduces a Mat-lab plug-in that provides access to Matlab for processing traces and executing Matlab scripts or programs plus a seismic workbench plug-in that provides integration to script-based processing systems and open-source processing systems, including Seismic Un*x. int.com? .

Seismic attributes are computed in Matlab and displayed in INTViewer. (Image courtesy of INT)

Subsea modem is mobile, wireless

The Seatooth S100, a mobile, wireless subsea modem from WFS Technologies, can provide a digital wireless communication link or logging device up to a 5-m (16-ft) range in challenging deepwater conditions. It is suitable for a variety of underwater applications such as data logging, upgrading subsea equipment, and wireless backup from 100 m to 4,000 m (328 ft to 13,100 ft). The subsea black box and subsea data recorder can integrate wirelessly with subsea control modules and log 8 MB of operational data. The technology’s wireless backup can initiate an alarm, an emergency disconnect sequence, or a valve actuation. It is equipped with standard data communication interfaces that make it suited to sensor and underwater vehicle applications. According to the company, the cost of intervention is reduced and the availability of data for operational decision-making is increased. wfs-tech.com? .

Stator’s internal contours minimize dimensional changes

The Moyno ERT Power Section, an even rubber thickness stator from Robbins & Myers Energy Services Group, is a stator developed with internal contours that are precision-machined rather than hydraulically formed. The result is an even thickness of rubber, which minimizes the rubber’s degree of dimensional change during use due to temperature, chemical attack, and loading, according to the company. Each lobe is supported with steel to ensure integrity. The even rubber thickness design allows the tool to produce up to 100% more power output than conventional stators, the company said, which translates to a higher ROP. The tool’s design also allows the operator to use shorter power sections with performance outputs, which improves the motor’s directional response as well as MWD and LWD measurement quality by placing sensors closer to the bit. moyno.com? .

Explosion-proof camera unveiled

Oncam Grandeye has introduced the world’s first explosion-proof camera system for 360° surveillance. The Evolution ExD camera range has been designed specifically for operation in potentially explosive locations as well as in harsh and hazardous environmental conditions such as on an oil rig or gas production facility. There are always risks associated with electrical devices because gases and sparks emitted on the rigs can trigger an initial explosion, which in turn may lead to further catastrophic explosions across the platform. The explosion-proof camera system provides total situational awareness and can be deployed in areas such as pipe racks, valve and pump rooms, and engine/battery rooms. oncamgrandeye.com.