Flowmeter provides measurements without phase separation

Schlumberger released a new-generation surface multiphase flowmeter, the Vx Spectra, for offshore and land applications. The flowmeter enables operators to obtain flow-rate measurements in production testing and permanent monitoring and uses full gamma spectrum analysis to provide accuracy in multiphase production measurement, according to a company press release. Potential applications include continuous production monitoring, periodic production testing, fiscal allocation, well performance evaluation, and artificial lift system optimization, the release said. The product introduces two new Venturi throat sizes developed to extend the range of flow rates measurements – the 19-mm version monitors low-rate producing wells down to 30 b/d, and the 40-mm Venturi version provides high flexibility to match oil and gas production flow rates. The company said it confirmed the metrological performance of the flowmeter with flowloop tests that acquired more than 400 test points at four industry-reference flowloop metering facilities with various fluids and at different pressures and flow regimes. slb.com/vxspectra

Stabilizer arm makes tubular makeup safer

The casing stabilizer arm (CSA) from Aker Solutions eliminates the need for a person to be elevated on a derrick for tubular makeup, according to a company press release. The CSA is designed for both offshore and onshore rigs. Its stabilizing mechanism includes an internal hydraulic cylinder that extends and closes the nonmarring jaws operated by a radio remote control; it uses only three hydraulic cylinders to position and mobilize the pipe jaws. The CSA is rated for Class I, Division 1 locations and has double protection for dropped objects, a warning and alarm system, and an emergency shut-off control. A shear pin is installed on the unit to protect against unexpected downward clash by hoisting equipment, the release said. The product is equipped in tubular capacities of 2 7/ 8 -in. to 22-in. diameter without changing jaws, and it has wireless remote control and local manual control. akersolutions.com

Reservoir modeling software captures uncertainty during interpretation

Emerson Process Management released the newest version of its reservoir modeling software, Roxar RMS 2013, which comes with model-driven interpretation capabilities and solutions for seismic interpretation that are closely linked to geological model building. The software also captures uncertainty during the interpretation, giving users unique tools for quantifying geologic risk early in the interpretation process, a company news release said. To do this, Roxar RMS 2013 modelers create thousands of models by estimating uncertainty in their interpretations, and the software then generates statistically significant ensembles of models based on these probability distributions. This gives operators a better picture of their subsurface risks, the company said. By using the software, geoscientists also can analyze the full range of structural uncertainties by creating suites of model realizations that satisfy many external constraints, from well picks and zone logs to velocity uncertainty and horizon or fault positional uncertainty. roxarsoftware.com

Radar meter delivers measurement solution for difficult liquids

The Foxboro Eckardt LevelWave Radar Series is a measurement solution from Invensys for liquids including corrosive, sticky, and difficult media. Each device has a modular design and a 360° rotation allowing side- or top-mounting adaption to existing space, making it easy and quick to install in the field, an Invensys press release said. Roger Ingemey, general manager of the company’s Foxboro Eckardt business, said the new design allows operators to move onto the next job more quickly, simplifies ongoing maintenance, and reduces process downtime due to the product’s easy head removal. The radar meter also has an option for full digital remote electronics up to a distance of 100 m (328 ft). It can be used in applications such as blending, distillation tanks, process tanks and separators, solid silos, and storage tanks for most liquids, pastes, foam, and corrosive media, according to the release. foxboro-eckardt.com

Plunger design improves recovery in wells with low gas energy

Multi Products Co. introduced its Steady-Flo plunger for use in wells that produce high volumes of fluid but don’t have sufficient gas energy to drive fluid evacuation, according to a company press release. The plunger’s through-bore design is intended to allow the plunger to find a hydrostatic equilibrium point in the wellbore by slipping fluid as the plunger rises and to use the well’s available energy to produce an even amount of fluid on each plunger cycle. The through bore is designed to make the plunger fall faster than conventional plungers to decrease well shut-in time and increase the number of plunger runs per day. In the case of a well in western Colorado, the operator needed to inject compressed gas to effect fluid production due to low reservoir pressure; the use of the Steady-Flo plunger eliminated compressor use; stabilized fluid production; increased gas production by 120%; and reduced shut-in time from 60 minutes to 28 minutes, increasing the daily plunger runs from 20 to 36, the press release said. plungerlift.com

Onshore DAS technology to move offshore

OptaSense, in a joint program with Shell, is developing the world’s first qualified distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) system modified for marine use, according to an OptaSense press release. The OptaSense Subsea-DAS system will be usable in water depths up to 3,048 m (10,000 ft) and will allow accurate acoustic data acquisition for the first time in the subsea sector, the release stated. Applications for the device include pipeline surveillance and leak detection, geopositioning, in-well monitoring, subsea assembly condition monitoring, and permanent reservoir monitoring. The system will include functional and technical parameters configurable in software, avoiding different hardware for settings or functions, the release said. OptaSense said it will reengineer its existing DAS interrogator unit to reduce its size to fit into a pressure canister to make it suitable for marine purposes. The device will then be tested to ensure that it meets the temperature, vibration, shock, and electrical certifications required for subsea equipment. Shell and OptaSense anticipate that the device will be ready for demonstration by mid-2014. optasense.com

Six-antenna array, software help device establish reliable connectivity

Motion Computing announced the release of its new family of portable, rugged wireless connectivity devices, LINCWorks, in a press release. The new devices were created to make it easy to establish a cohesive WAN/ LAN, cell, or mesh communications infrastructure, and the unit’s NEMA-rated weatherproof case makes the units suitable for deployment in harsh environments, according to the release. The rugged deploy-anywhere products are self-contained portable units that are built on wireless technology, which integrates a proprietary six-antenna array and automated configuration software. Accessories such as solar power supply for sites without reliable electricity are available. The company also has released a similar unit designed specifically for use in vehicles, the vehicle area network unit. It’s housed in a smaller, lighter enclosure with auto-configuring drive-up connectivity. motioncomputing.com/lincworks

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