E & P November 2019 PDF
E & P November 2019 PDF
com
NOVEMBER 2019
Basin Modeling
Cementing Advances
Fracture Fluid
Optimization
Emissions
Management
Decommissioning
Special Section:
ADIPEC Technology
Showcase
Unconventional
Report:
OKLAHOMA
EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION NO VEMBER 20 19
VOLUME 92 n ISSUE 11
WORLDWIDE COVERAGE
A H AR T E N E RG Y P U B L IC ATI ON ww w . H ar t E n e rg y. c o m
BASIN MODELING
50 Minimizing the effects of fracture hits using
real-time designs
CEMENTING ADVANCES
52 Modern cementing for today’s
horizontal wells
76 OKLAHOMA
INDUSTRY PULSE
8 Structural integrity
management data help
decommissioning
REGIONAL REPORT
AS I SEE IT
Permission to fail 7
MARKET INTELLIGENCE
Three blasts from the past 12
DRILLING TECHNOLOGIES
Waste not, want not 15
SHALE SOLUTIONS
Recent trends in perforating for limited-entry stimulation 36
Unconventional diagnostics for unconventional wells 40
OPERATOR SOLUTIONS
Subsea compression: developing solutions to keep gas flowing 42
Isolate vertical movement resulting from heave 46
TECH WATCH
Optimizing production of mature waterflood assets with physics-based AI 85
Ensuring the four-way match 88
TECH TRENDS 90
INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS 92
LAST WORD
A value-chain approach to reducing emissions 96
COMING NEXT MONTH The December edition of E&P will be our special 2020
Unconventional Yearbook issue. Chapters will include an overview, key players, technolo-
gy, logistics, environment and production forecast. As always, while you’re waiting for your
next copy of E&P, be sure to visit HartEnergy.com for the latest news, industry updates and
unique industry analysis.
ABOUT THE COVER The oil and gas industry’s digital transformation
is underway, potentially saving the industry $100 billion in the process.
Left, shifting market winds are keeping Oklahoma operators swaying,
but they are bending, not breaking as they stand their ground. (Cover
image courtesy of archy13/Shutterstock.com; Left photo by Jennifer
Presley, Hart Energy; Cover design by Felicia Hammons)
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ONLINE CONTENT NOVEMBER 2019
VIDEOS:
n Venado Oil & Gas on fast cycle times
Venado Oil & Gas CFO Branden Kennedy explained why the company
is sticking to its roots in the Eagle Ford and how that holds its own
against “Permania.”
n SilverBow rebranded, diversifying
Steve Adam, executive vice president and COO of SilverBow Resources,
discusses the company’s rebranding and acreage position in the
western Eagle Ford.
n Well interference, focus on drilling inventories
Peter Duncan, president and CEO of MicroSeismic, describes a few key
takeaways from the DUG Eagle Ford conference.
F
Associate Managing Editor ARIANA BENAVIDEZ
Creative Director ALEXA SANDERS ailure must be avoided at all costs, or so we humans are conditioned to
Corporate Art Director ALEXA SANDERS
Senior Graphic Designer FELICIA HAMMONS believe. It starts early: straight As on a report card from school, a perfect
Senior Graphic Designer FELICIA HAMMONS
Publisher HENRY TINNE 10 in a diving competition or a first-place blue ribbon on a science project are
Vice President of Publishing RUSSELL LAAS all examples of how failing to fail can garner praise or reward.
Editorial Advisory Board
Editorial Advisory Board Failure can, however, be its own reward. Sure, it is one way to ensure the
CHRIS BARTON swift ending of a painful project. It also can provide the inspiration needed to
CHRIS BARTON
Wood
Wood step away from the old way of doing something by trying something new. How
KEVIN BRADY many iterations of an invention are tossed onto the reject pile before success
KEVIN9 BRADY
Highway Consulting is realized?
Highway 9 Consulting
At Hart Energy’s DUG Eagle Ford conference in San Antonio, I had the
MIKE FORREST
MIKE FORREST
Consultant pleasure of speaking with a drilling engineer who had made the transition
Consultant from offshore to onshore operations. He mentioned how risk is perceived
GARRETT FRAZIER
GARRETT FRAZIER
Magnum Oil Tools
in the industry as negative if success was not the initial result. It’s what I’ve
Magnum Oil Tools heard called the “everybody lines up to purchase Serial Number 002 if Serial
RICHARD “DICK” GHISELIN, P.E. Number 001 was successful” rule of equipment manufacturing. He said the
DICK
Qittitut GHISELIN LLC
Consulting
Consultant industry needs to give itself permission to fail, citing the current revitalization
PETER LOVIE of the offshore oil and gas space as a key example.
PeterOLGA KOPER
M Lovie PE LLC
Battelle
ERIC NAMTVEDT
Namtvedt PETER LOVIEAdvisors
Energy
Peter M Lovie PE LLC
Make technology your
DONALD PAUL
ERIC NAMTVEDT
USC
enabler, not your bottleneck.
Namtvedt Energy Advisors
KEITH RAPPOLD
DONALD
Aramco PAUL
Services
USC The focus of this month’s issue is on the digital transformation underway
EVE SPRUNT in the oil and gas industry, a transformation that is delivering real change to
KEITH RAPPOLD
Consultant
the value chain. For example, it is inspirational to see the time-savings and
Aramco Services
SCOTT WEEDEN reduced “windshield” time that real-time field monitoring applications have
EVE SPRUNT
Consultant delivered. Quickly fading are the days when a field operator would drive from
Consultant well to well, checking fluid levels and pressure fluctuations on a strip chart
TOM WILLIAMS
SCOTT WEEDEN
RPSEA and more.
Consultant However, for every successful deployment of a monitoring system, there’s
significant time spent working through a process of trial and error to ensure
TOM WILLIAMS
RPSEA the system runs optimally. For every successful digital transformation project
scaled up and made operational, there are many that have stalled out. Of the
Senior Vice President, Media
E&P/Conferences
five steps McKinsey & Co. list for successful scale-up of a project, “making
RUSSELL LAAS technology your enabler, not your bottleneck” is the step that stands out most.
Editorial Director Multiple projects come to mind where the technology didn’t quite exist just
Vice President,
PEGGY Editorial
WILLIAMS Director
PEGGY WILLIAMS
yet, but after a few years—or decades even—the technol-
Chief Financial Officer ogy arrives and the bottleneck clears.
ChiefCHRIS
Financial
ARNDTOfficer
CHRIS ARNDT
There’s no harm in failing, except in failing to start.
Chief Executive Officer
Chief Executive
RICHARD Officer
A. EICHLER
RICHARD A. EICHLER 7
industry
PULSE
This diagram showcases a typical data management system, which is the Reaping the benefit of the digital age
backbone of the SIM technology. Note, possible data used for decommissioning More than 400 oil and gas fields have stopped
are highlighted with a red box. (Source: DNV GL) producing in the last five years, and analysts
expect $32 billion to be spent on decommis-
of predecommissioning survey findings, which can sioning to 2025.
cause inefficiency. Digital innovation through artificial intelligence, auto-
For integrity issues that are difficult to be spotted from mation and machine learning are expected to play a
a topside decommissioning survey, an anomaly database stronger role in decommissioning activity in the future.
is a useful guide for any decommissioning project to DNV GL has been working with Rolls-Royce and the
minimize the number of unwelcome surprises. Norwegian University of Technology Science to fully
For instance, loose bolts for a section of a J-tube close explore the idea of digital twins and develop a cloud-
to the seabed were recorded in the anomaly database based virtual representation of marine assets.
but missed from the commissioned subsea survey. The The creation of a global weight library is also under-
reality is, no matter how thorough a decommissioning way to provide a valuable benchmark tool for decom-
survey is, there is always a possibility of missing certain missioning weight assessments. This will be available on
issues that may become critical during the incoming Veracity, an open and secure platform built by DNV
decommissioning operation. This margin of error can GL, facilitating the exchange of datasets, APIs, applica-
be reduced by a properly maintained inspection data tions and insights.
and anomaly database, saving hundreds, if not more
man-hours. References available.
Information management Have a story idea for Industry Pulse? This feature looks at
Given any aging asset’s long service life, a SIM service big-picture trends that are likely to affect the upstream oil
and gas industry. Submit story ideas to Group Managing
provider, along with its understanding of the historical Editor Jo Ann Davy at [email protected].
and ongoing issues concerning the weight, is well-posi-
(Source: archy13/Shutterstock.com;
design by Felicia Hammons)
FIGURE 1. By engaging the five competencies of digital transformation, companies will unlock the potential of employees and sustain
top-quartile performance. (Source: Emerson)
programs, Emerson recently announced its new Digital as well as helps participants to scale up their solutions to
Transformation business line. The new department will many more applications that can achieve similar advan-
bring together critical resources to help manufacturers tages and benefits.
develop and implement pragmatic digital transformation “Many digital transformation pilots can get started for
strategies that deliver top-quartile performance, accord- $50,000 to $100,000 in one or a few processes, prove
ing to a press release. The $650-plus
million business combines existing
expertise in consulting, project execu-
tion, smart sensor technologies, data
management and analytics, which are
all a part of Emerson’s Plantweb digital
ecosystem. The organization will help
customers establish a clear vision for
digital transformation and gradually
execute and realize measurable results
at each step of their journey.
Speaking at a press conference during
the Emerson Global Users Exchange
event, Harris identified automated
workflow, decision support, workforce
upskilling, mobility and change manage-
ment as the five competencies of digital
transformation that companies need to
unlock the potential of employees and
sustain top-quartile performance (Figure
1). He also pointed out that the three
critical success factors of digital transfor-
mation are technology decisions driven
by business outcomes, scalable approach
guided by vision instead of doing it all
at once and technology investments that
also are seen as investments in people.
Harris pointed out that while some
companies are executing pilot pro-
grams and seeing early benefits, every-
one needs to connect their businesses
and digital transformation strategies
with practical applications. “Strategy
and business cases are what come first
with digital transformation—not the
technology. Once ROI is captured for
a solution, it can be scaled across the
whole enterprise,” he said.
On a broader scale, once digital
transformation initiatives define the
goals and identify challenges and
opportunities, companies must develop
proofs of concept and pilot projects
that can demonstrate some of that
much-needed ROI. This encourages
further commitment and investment
themselves and then scale up to many processes and approach can solve the majority of the issues and help
save millions or tens of millions of dollars,” Harris said. companies in delivering value through digitalization.
“We’ve learned that digital transformation is urgent “We had 300 wells, which we couldn’t monitor
because it can help users achieve top-quartile perfor- remotely, so whenever there was a drop in production,
mance, add two weeks of uptime, cut maintenance inci- we had to send someone out in a helicopter,” said
dents in half or reduce safety incidents by 30%.” Todd Anslinger, control systems engineer of the IIoT
Center of Excellence at Chevron. He said it took 37
Empowering the workforce helicopter trips and two weeks to check those wells,
Energy companies face a number of challenges on and identify and resolve the issues.
their path to digital transformation, many of which are “Since we added Emerson transmitters and Digi
attributed to the aging workforce. Moreover, several gateways that transfer 4 to 20 milliamp signals to the
studies reveal that since the industry is viewed as envi- cloud via LTE cellular wireless networking, we can
ronmentally unfriendly and technologically backward by monitor when they go below a certain output pressure,
the future workforce, companies are in danger of losing for example, and determine if they really need a visit
fresh digital talent to other sectors. or not. We estimate to save about $25,000 per event,”
Beyond specifying problems, goals and technologies, Anslinger said.
digital transformation is impossible without the deep One of the main advantages of the IIoT and digitali-
and continuous engagement of people, especially those zation in general is that users can collect more signals
on the plant floor, Harris explained. and data as well as get them much more often. “With
“Executive support is essential and information tech- our wireless devices, we can check process or equip-
nology [IT] has to be involved, but it’s most important ment status every hour. For instance, when we inject
for the operations folks to be engaged because they CO2 and water into wells, we can see the downhole
have the domain knowledge about where it’s best to pressure more frequently and make better decisions,”
apply digital transformation,” he said. “Every functional Anslinger said.
group can contribute and take on new roles. They can Occidental Petroleum implemented the Internet of
serve as bridges connecting lines of stakeholders or Things (IoT) last year and began by proving its viability
develop internal academies to train colleagues on how and value, researching available IoT platforms, deter-
to use new analytics tools.” mining device connections and validating how to create
Emerson provides technical resources and curric- software containers and analytics, according to Jim Sage,
ulum development to more than 350 educational IT principal for emerging technology at Occidental.
institutions to help students develop the skills that “We learned that it’s important to determine the IoT-
employers need. Recently Emerson collaborated readiness of the larger organization, so over the last
with San Jacinto College to help design, equip and year and a half, we got ready with a cloud computing
provide training tools for the college’s Center for that we could plug our IoT solution into. Now, we can
Petrochemical, Energy and Technology, which is connect edge-computing devices to help control shut-
designed to empower students of all levels with the down devices,” Sage said.
skills and training needed to support careers in the According to Tim White, asset management director
evolving petrochemical and refining industries. at Valaris (formerly Ensco Rowan), “When events hap-
pen offshore, managers onshore want to know what’s
Digitizing upstream happening. However, it can be risky to have calls com-
For the upstream industry, the advantages of IIoT ing in every hour, so we’ve been trying to correlate our
applications lie in creating value through an inte- data to better inform our rig managers, so they don’t
grated deployment strategy, which can potentially have to call as much.”
increase production, reduce downtime, limit emissions White added that Valaris will use its increased data
and improve safety. volume and speed to improve maintenance as well as
During an upstream panel discussion at the Emerson optimize operations. “One of our big goals is condi-
Global Users Exchange event, executives of major oil tion-based maintenance, and we know the IIoT will help
companies reported that legacy assets, workforce attri- accomplish it as well as reduce staff and deploy ‘tiger
tion, political climate and cybersecurity are the main teams’ that can manage multiple rigs,” he said.
challenges that slow down IIoT and digitalization. Gary Baxter, former production operations director
However, they agreed that a well-planned and careful at EQT Corp., said the natural gas producer recently
implemented IBM Maximo asset management software going to change anyway,” Anslinger said. “Behavior
to help its supervisors and managers by showing pro- changes with familiarity and training, so it’s crucial to
duction data on their PCs and smart phones. “This solu- show people what the IIoT can do for them, what dol-
tion got us involved with IIoT, but we soon found that lars and cents they can gain and that it’s cost-effective
we needed 78 database revisions. We couldn’t do all of to implement.”
them, so we had to revise and implement Emerson’s In addition to returns, IIoT must also show it can
ROC800 remote operations controller, which let us do ease user workloads, White said. He explained that it’s
more analytics,” he said. important to demonstrate the benefits of IIoT to senior
management and convince them that new technologies
Returns on digital investments can automate tasks and ease the workload of employees.
New technologies typically involve heavy capital invest- Adding to that, Sage explained that any effort to
ments and extended supply chains. get potential users accustomed to the IIoT can be
Since new innovations also face scarce funding and helpful because disruptive changes have been coming
hesitation from higher management, executives at the so fast. “Most changes in process control and automa-
upstream panel discussion said IIoT and associated new tion have been incremental, but what’s happening
technologies must demonstrate their value quickly to now is a reallocation of people to learn the new skills
gain acceptance. needed as we transition from previous methods to
“We look to see financial benefits within one year those based on the IIoT. And once we connect to our
because if it’s two or three years, then it won’t get edge devices, the benefits of their data will start to
funded because everyone assumes the technology is come in,” he said.
properties for areas with no prior data and identify The Blowout Spill Occurrence Model (BLOSOM) is
regional vulnerabilities. an open-source, comprehensive modeling program that
The NETL team designed the tools and models in predicts the fate and transport of oil for hypothetical
the ORM suite to be easily accessible to the industry, and actual offshore spill events to support planning and
regulators and scientists for a range of commercial- spill response preparedness needs. BLOSOM is the first
and research-related efforts. The ORM suite comprises open-source oil spill and blowout model in 4-D, which
digital applications that can be deployed directly on a has been compared to and validated against traditional
personal device, such as a desktop computer, laptop or and industry-applied spill models. Built upon a flexible
tablet, or run through a virtual cloud-computing frame- framework, BLOSOM consists of several modules to
work. All tools are available for download or web use. help visualize and predict the scope of environmental
In addition, there are instances of the ORM suite being damage in the event of a blowout, which include behav-
developed for specific users in an online, Dockerized ior in high-pressure environments, subsea dispersants,
computing platform to offer greater portability and gas and hydrate dynamics and other features as well as
utility, as the models and tools are maintained on one utilizing knowledge of how particulates move through-
server while data are hosted and/or streamed in real out all levels of the water column.
time from authoritative sources. Cumulative Spatial Impact Layers (CSIL) is a geo-
ORM suite tools can handle large amounts of data in graphic information system-based tool that rapidly iden-
the range of gigabytes to petabytes depending on the tifies and quantifies potential socioeconomic and envi-
scale of the analyses being performed, efficiently utilizing ronmental risk. The CSIL tool is capable of handling
millions of data from numerous sources. This makes the multiple disparate datasets, can measure data density
ORM suite a comprehensive solution for providing pre- and produce multivariable layers that identify vulner-
dictions of potential hazards and mitigating challenges abilities within a given area. It can be used in concert
faced during common offshore oil and gas activities. with other ORM tools to support planning, such as
When the tools and models are used either individ- ingesting BLOSOM simulation outputs and summariz-
ually or together, the ORM suite can help the offshore ing the potential risks or response availability associated
energy industry with worst-case discharge planning and with hydrocarbon events. The CSIL tool can be used to
preparedness, evaluation of site-specific metocean geo- assess onshore response capabilities to determine what
hazards and improved prediction of subsurface proper- areas are at risk and how prepared emergency officials
ties for reserves and drilling calculations. are in the event of a spill.
The Spatially Weighted Impact Model (SWIM) is a
Components decision-support tool that incorporates relationships
The ORM comprises two data management and curation among oil spill information, response availability and
tools and six analytical components that allow end users potential risk. Users can apply weights to evaluate mod-
to assess and combine data surrounding many environ- eled spill events based on potential impacts, the magni-
mental, socioeconomic and geological factors. When tude of the oil spill and response preparedness against a
used together, the analytical tools provide more holistic “baseline” scenario, which might consist of what differ-
analyses that aid in predicting and preventing risks and ent users consider to be worst-case events. This feature
operational costs. The analytical tools included in the allows users to rank and compare different scenarios
ORM at present are noted below. and come up with varying plans of action for planning
The Climatological Isolation and Attraction Model and response needs.
(CIAM) is a quick prediction and response tool that The Subsurface Trend Analysis improves the predic-
applies mathematical theories of dynamical systems and tions of subsurface property values using a combination
metocean data, including real-time ocean current pat- of geologic knowledge and advanced spatio-temporal
terns, to determine where oil and other particles in the statistical methods. The approach leverages information
ocean (e.g., debris, hazardous waste and plankton) are about geologic systems to improve prediction of subsur-
likely to be attracted or repulsed. CIAM offers offshore face properties critical for reserves calculations, explora-
commercial and scientific communities a novel and tion and resource identification, geohazard prediction,
efficient way to summarize big ocean current and/or drilling safety and improved well design.
large wind data and generalizes previous approaches by The Variable Grid Method communicates uncertainty
calculating transport patterns independent of where a for data and model results, which is critical when utiliz-
spill may originate. ing multiple tools and approaches. The Variable Grid
range of statistical and analytics tools, using live stream- “It is still a work in progress, but part of the vision is
ing data from our facilities,” Barnes said. The Maximum to create a tool that provides better than human aware-
Possible Production tool Pluto LNG uses to compare ness,” Barnes said. “I want someone to feel like they
current and historical performance is in use to maxi- can use this tool to look at a piece of equipment and
mize daily production. get more information than they could if they got on a
The Maximum Possible Production tool runs every plane up to Karratha, put on their PPE [personal pro-
10 minutes and creates a model that looks at all the tective equipment], went out in a helicopter and stood
uncontrollable variables and compares them to the in front of the piece of equipment themselves. That is
last time they came together in that way. With these a challenging thing to do, especially having worked in
data, the tool advises the operator what it can do with operational sites myself.”
all the controllable variables. Woodside also has a sur- As to how Woodside is going about achieving this
veillance hub for engineers, which collects data from lofty ambition, it is a combination of deploying the best
thousands of tags in the plant so they can monitor technology available and integrating that with its own
and look at specific plant and processes so they can proprietary innovation that fills the gaps the company
improve maintenance reference plans and better mon- felt are in the market. “We are integrating existing
itor equipment performance. plants, sensors and data,” Barnes said. “But then we
have also had to deploy hundreds of additional sensors
Adding intelligence to Pluto LNG to get the data that we required.”
One AI project that Barnes and her team are cur-
rently working on is also at the Pluto LNG facility in Gap in the market
northwest Australia and is focused on intelligent edge When Woodside analyzed what was available in the
assets. Woodside has operated the Pluto LNG facility market, it found that the best that was on offer did not
since startup in 2012. Gas from the offshore Pluto fit the requirements. The sensors were either too expen-
and Xena fields is piped through a 180-km pipeline sive or too complex to integrate and required specialist
to Pluto LNG’s single onshore LNG processing train skills. The team’s response was to prototype, develop,
located on the Burrup Peninsula near Karratha in build and certify their own sensors.
Western Australia. “Hopefully there will be new IoT [Internet of Things]
“The project has moved past proof of concept and sensors in the market, which we can utilize in the future
pilot trial, but it is still very much a working piece,” as we have no desire to become a sensor company,”
Barnes said. “Our goal is to build this intelligent asset. Barnes said. “But in the meantime, it’s helping us
We want to install a data-driven digital nerve system at achieve our goal.”
the heart of our operating facilities to capture, analyze The development of these smart sensors created
and make use of all the available data. Ultimately, this another, although not an unexpected, problem for
will enable better decision-making. Our tagline for the Woodside—the sheer volume of additional data to man-
project is to make things work harder, so people can age. “We had all this additional data that we never had
work smarter.” before,” Barnes said. “It was too much for operations to
When it came to naming the AI system, the team monitor. That is where we deployed analytics tools and
kept coming back to precisely what they were hoping data science to process and understand it.”
to achieve, which was to integrate all the data into one She continued, “We have a camera that has a view
holistic view. “We all agreed to name it Fuse,” Barnes of a gauge somewhere in its vision, we can digitize
said. “What we are working on is fusing technologies the reading, look at it over time and, more excitingly,
and data to create these intelligent assets.” look at it compared to other pumps, because every-
thing’s now connected. Our algorithm can learn what
A new breed of technology is normal, alert you when it sees a case that is not
The essence of Fuse is to use existing data from the site and then offer some insight or action as to what you
and integrate those with a host of new data that are made should do.”
available by installing a new breed of smart sensors. This
is all combined with what Barnes calls a new breed of More to come from AI
technology such as networks, visualization tools, data This is just the start of the journey for Woodside. The
science and robotics, which when combined, provides next step is to visualize those data and create what has
continuous feedback of data that learns over time. been dubbed a version of a 4-D digital twin that was
spatially referenced—a virtual replica of the site with scale fast. We are taking a very hands-on approach to
embedded real-time data analytics. assess the usefulness of each technology. We need to
“When we are solving problems, I think it is fascinat- work with our people to identify where best to employ
ing because we can now better enable the collective the technology and bring those who have the technical
wisdom and collaboration of many,” she said. “We can expertise on board to change the discussion and show
even draw on those different assets and different points us how we could do things differently. We must be criti-
of time if we get it right.” cal about their usefulness and mindful to changes to
Barnes concluded, “I think the best way to succeed is people’s roles and the skills required. And we’re going
to start and try it. We need to think big, start small and to need to collaborate within and across sectors.”
Other trends
FIGURE 2. An aerial photo ahead of a proppant transport surface test helps Perforating cluster count per stage continues to
develop understandings of proppant placement and perforation erosion for increase in most basins. The long-term produc-
each cluster at full frac rates. (Source: GEODynamics) tion history is reaching the point where data ana-
lytics can determine if economics look as good
on “extreme limited-entry,” written by operators rou- as early production results indicated with high cluster
tinely designing stimulations with 2,500-psi differential counts. The northeast U.S., with its gas production, gen-
pressures, were well-read and created conversations erally has fewer clusters and different geology. Diverters
across industry. are finding applications.
Shaped-charge design accomplished desired hole size Operators utilizing higher (1,500 psi or greater after
results with less explosive weight and smaller charges. initial erosion) differential pressures generally obtain
This opened up design possibilities including small about 90% perf efficiency. High clay content forma-
charges placed beside each other on the same plane, tions, notably in some areas of Oklahoma, observe
rather than individual, sequential charges in the gun. lower perf efficiencies.
Field introduction of these gun systems began in 2017, Perforating hole size is decreasing in the last 18
usually in three-shot/cluster configurations. These months. Operators are having success with single,
shorter gun assembly length systems having all the larger holes per cluster.
perforations in a single plane reduced near-wellbore The “gorilla in the room” is associated with particle
tortuosity—as step-rate analysis proved. Figure 1 shows transport and perf erosion studies. Several universi-
information on these systems. ties, operators and a few service companies are trying
to better understand how uniformly the proppants
New gun systems, safety and regulations move with the fracturing fluids and are progressing
After the aforementioned turndown in completion activ- numerical simulation. This will lead to a very different
ity, stuck gun issues with “blown port plugs” and associ- thought process and has implications to frac hits and
ated remedial costs escalated. The resulting technology proppant flowback. Figure 2 shows one of the more
improvement is industry’s migration to disposable sys- interesting tests in this arena that a group of opera-
tems rather than managing reusable equipment nearing tors and others are conducting.
the end of its life. One will continue to see improvement
in gun string systems: electric disconnects, data acqui- Editor’s note: Phil Snider is a completions consultant to
sition, gun detonating/hardware components, and GEODynamics.
FIGURE 2. Fracture Flow diagnostics compare fractured intervals (blue) to main producing intervals (green) at different choke sizes to
evaluate the true effectiveness of hydraulic fracturing programs and maximize well performance. (Source: TGT)
that can affect the final outcome. Another important reservoir has a gross thickness of about 1,200 ft and is
consideration is the formulation of the hydraulic frac- fully cased.
turing fluid. This fluid normally comprises sand (or The operator’s objectives in this case were to evaluate
proppant), gels (foam or sleek water) and additives that the post-fracture performance of three zones and com-
are pumped downhole following the job design to prop pare the effectiveness of fractured stages by assessing the
open the induced fractures and maximize the extension production contribution from each fractured interval,
of the fracture in terms of length, height and aperture identify crossflow or behind-casing communication, and
as well as the integrity of the fractured conduit itself, so increase production efficiency by identifying the opti-
hydrocarbons can flow unabated. mum production choke for this well system.
The results revealed by the Fracture Flow analysis
Evaluating fracture inflows revealed that the fractured intervals (Figure 2, blue cod-
TGT’s diagnostic Fracture Flow is able to locate and ing) were not contributing fully to production in their
evaluate fracture inflows and quantify inflow profiles in entirety. Furthermore, it identified the active zones and
hydraulically fractured wells. The product is delivered where the main production was coming from (Figure
by the company’s analysts using the True Flow System, 2, green coding). Fracture Flow revealed that only 62%,
which combines several technology platforms—Chorus 59% and 56% of each zone was actually producing at
(acoustic), Cascade (thermal), Indigo (multisense) and the outset. The Fracture Flow analysis also indicated
Maxim (digital workspace)—to acquire, interrogate and there were no crossflows among the three zones, which
analyze the acoustic spectra and temperature changes was another key finding from an integrity perspective.
generated by the hydrocarbons or any other fluid flow- Thirdly, the Fracture Flow diagnostic program helped
ing from the reservoir through active fractures and into determine the optimal choke size required to ensure the
the completion (Figure 1). This diagnostic capability fractured zones were contributing at the maximum rate.
goes beyond conventional flow measurement techniques TGT works in close collaboration with operators using
that generally stop sensing at the wellbore and are there- Fracture Flow to help them reach their frac evaluation
fore unable to quantify flow within the reservoir itself. objectives, locate effective fracture inflows, quantify
The Fracture Flow product extract shown in Figure 2 inflow profiles and assess the effectiveness of fracture
represents the diagnosis of a hydraulically fractured oil programs, helping to optimize future programs and
producer with greater than 80 degrees deviation. The maximize ROI.
Subsea compression
Asmund Maland, ABB Producing oil and gas from reservoirs located at long
distances from land is a costly proposition that presents
Technology
NOV uses the Shaffer
DLC to isolate vertical
movement resulting
from heave, a problem
especially prominent
on offshore rigs with-
out an active heave top
drive, spars, tension-leg
platforms and so forth.
The DLC is a completely
pneumatic system that was
developed for landing and
retrieving operations and
other applications requir-
ing the elimination of
in-hole drillstring motion.
The DLC is composed of
a single compression-type
The DLC is a completely pneumatic system that was developed for landing and retrieving operations and air/oil cylinder pres-
other applications requiring the elimination of in-hole drillstring motion. (Source: NOV) surized by air/nitrogen
pressure vessels. The compensation force (i.e., the pull the injector head, swing arms crane, and beams and
on the hook) is determined by the magnitude of the sys- clamps. The team also provided engineering drawings
tem air/nitrogen pressure. As the drilling vessel heaves for all equipment installation and mobilized qualified
upward with wave action, the hook load moves down- compensation specialists and technicians to the rig
ward, and the compensator cylinder is compressed. This to assist with the process as necessary. The benefit of
downward hook motion is relative to the drilling vessel onsite support was that the solution minimized the
but is fixed relative to the seafloor. weight of the added intervention equipment and com-
As the hook extends, the air is transmitted through pletion string as well as the creation of redundant safety
the 3-in. hose back to the pressure vessels. When drill- measures in the event of an N2 failure and during nor-
ing vessel motion is reversed, the air/nitrogen flows mal well intervention operations.
from the pressure vessels to the DLC cylinder, retract- Providing detailed procedures and engineering draw-
ing the rod and hook. During operation, the DLC com- ings helped the operator determine optimal equipment
pensates for the hook load, and the only movement spacing, reducing the amount of rigup time typically
relative to the drilling vessel is that of the hook load involved in such operations. The team safely transferred
and the cylinder rod. The traveling block, hose and cyl- the DLC/CTLF package and other well intervention
inder assembly remain motionless relative to the vessel. equipment while skidding the spar 55 ft to the next well
Using the DLC, the driller also can increase, decrease location, reducing rigup and rigdown time by about
or maintain at a preset level the drillstring weight by 36 hours, or 1.5 days, of rig costs. The beams provided
adjusting the compensator pressure. The DLC has a better CT reel weight distribution on the pipe deck,
total compensating hook load of 650,000 lb, weighs while the custom clamps locked all equipment loads
15,500 lb on the traveling block and operates with a securely to the deck. The team helped safely flow back
5-ft stroke. the first well before bringing the second well online
to the production facility, with the DLC providing a
Case history primary means of compensation support for the entire
An operator in the Gulf of Mexico needed to clean up spar on both wells. The total amount of time that the
paraffin and scale in two wells, with operations being DLC compensated the spars was 40 days latched to sea
conducted from a spar. The proposed plan required bottom. The operator was extremely satisfied with the
equipment that would help account for high and low system, commenting positively on the professionalism of
tide cycle variations, ensuring motion compensation the NOV personnel involved and the improvements to
during well intervention and flowback operations. The safety and efficiency enabled through its use.
solution also needed to improve safety during inclem-
ent weather and while conducting coiled tubing (CT) Conclusion
and slickline operations and pumping solvent. To meet As the industry moves into 2020 and beyond, deepwater
this objective, the solution had to be able to increase, and ultradeepwater E&P activities are expected to slowly
decrease and maintain a preset level of drillstring weight and modestly rise. While fluctuations in commodity pric-
by controlling the DLC pressure. The operator also ing will certainly drive the volatility and cyclicality typical
needed beams and clamps to support the CT reel and of these markets, it appears that declines in maturing
help with deck weight distribution as well as a swing arm fields and a subsequent need for new exploration will
crane for slickline and e-line operations. Finally, the yield more wells and new project sanctions. In efforts to
chosen equipment would need to be able to be quickly cut capex spending and improve efficiencies, operators
rigged up from well to well to meet the operator’s will look to new technologies to help them overcome
expected time frame. their unique challenges. Finding innovative ways to use
By thoroughly analyzing the project, NOV deter- existing technologies that have proven reliability
mined the correct product and service package to meet through decades of operation will ensure ongoing rele-
the operator’s needs. The Devin team installed the DLC vance in more and more applications.
equipment package, including an N2 compensation
skid, to account for tidal movements and inclement Have a story idea for Operator Solutions? This feature
weather by maintaining a constant hook height during highlights technologies and techniques that are helping
vessel movement. In addition to the DLC, the team upstream operators overcome their challenges. Submit your
story ideas to Group Managing Editor Jo Ann Davy at
installed a 350-ton CT lift frame (CTLF) and CTLF
[email protected].
stabilizer, bails, elevator, CT mini-track and adapter for
Raj Malpani, Farhan Alimahomed, Cyrille Defeu, camp A and B formations. The wells described in Figure
Schlumberger; and Larrez Green, Laine Valle, 1 were drilled and completed at various times over a
Adnan Alimahomed, MDC Texas Energy 10-month time frame and grouped by generation:
• Parent well (Generation I);
SECTION LAYOUT PI profile after all the wells were put back on
production, except for Child 3A, which was
the closest well to the parent well.
The infill wells in Wolfcamp A have an
increased water cut compared with the par-
ent, Child 1 and Child 2 wells. The Child 3D
well is in Wolfcamp B, which has higher in
situ water saturation compared with that of
the Wolfcamp A. Wells with spacing above
1,000 ft show equivalent productivity, but
wells less than 500 ft apart show inferior pro-
ductivity. The optimal well spacing with the
general completion and stimulation design
in the area seems to be within 500 ft to 1,000
ft (five to 10 wells in a section) in this area
in Wolfcamp A. The higher PI of Child 3D
suggests that there is hydraulic connectivity
between Wolfcamp B and Wolfcamp A, but
the production behaviors seem to be isolated
from Wolfcamp A.
FIGURE 1. The description of the parent and child wells and the vertical and Developing a section with depletion effects
lateral distance between wells are shown. (Source: Schlumberger) occurring at various distances and durations is
challenging. A proactive approach of plan-
During completion of the Child 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D ning wells, preloading wells (water injection), observing
wells, multiple pressure increases were observed on the real-time pressure changes for diagnostics and respond-
parent and Child 2 wells with varying degrees of severity. ing to the pressure communication by changing fluid
The stress buffer (shadow) created by carefully sequenc- and proppant volumes and pumping rates provides an
ing the stimulation program aided in reducing the effective strategy for completing infill wells in a multigen-
fracture communication. The fluid injection strategy was eration section development in the Wolfcamp Formation
effective in reducing the magnitude of pressure com- and in similar settings around North America.
munication. Additionally, an active pressure monitoring
program informed real-time completion design changes Editor’s note: This article was adapted from URTeC 2019-472.
to reduce the magnitude of pres-
sure communications on the par- NORMALIZED PI OVER TIME
ent, Child 1 and Child 2 wells.
The tracer data and PI profile
suggest that during stimulation the
wells have been hydraulically con-
nected. Even though the connec-
tions fade over time, the observed
communication between the wells
results in the overall lowering of
reservoir pressure. Some comple-
tion sections of the lateral showed
abnormal behavior that is likely
due to localized geological features.
Figure 2 shows the initial PI for the
Child 3A, 3B and 3C wells is smaller
than that of the parent well, like for
the Child 1 and Child 2 wells. All FIGURE 2. The normalized (to time zero) PI for all wells over time is shown.
wells in Wolfcamp A show a similar (Source: Schlumberger)
Low-pressure zones in the Permian Basin can cause severe fluid losses, Planning a job to completion
making it difficult to achieve the desired top of cement and leading to The planning and execution of a cement job cannot
inadequate zonal isolation. (Source: Nine Energy Service) be undervalued. By selecting the right partner with the
that exceed the fracture limit at the final stages CONVENTIONAL CEMENTING MAX ECD AND
of the cement job. The peak or max ECD is FINAL ESD PROFILES
reached when at the instant prior to shutting
down the cement pump. At this moment, the
spacer and slurry volumes are contributing at
the maximum effect on the bottomhole hydro-
static pressure as well as to the annular fric-
tional pressure loss in the annular space.
To address the issue using the MPD method-
ology, the bottomhole pressure (BHP) plan for
the cement job is based on the analysis, model-
ing and manipulation of all the variables affect-
ing annular pressure profile and BHP during
the cement job. The objective of the managed
pressure cementing (MPC) calculation during
the planning phase is to find the right set of MANAGED PRESSURE CEMENTING MAX ECD AND
FINAL ESD PROFILES
conditions and the required surface back-
pressure levels that will lead to annular pres-
sures within the available operational window
throughout the entire cementing operation.
The engineering process implemented to
plan the MPC operations on these wells con-
sisted of three main stages: data collection,
MPC engineering and program elaboration.
Data collection could be one of the most
important stages of the engineering planning
of any well operation. Accurate data from all
parties involved in the cementing operation
are necessary to reduce the number of assump- FIGURE 2. The peak ECD and final equivalent static density (ESD) profiles
tions to be made during the modeling and show the results of conventional cementing versus the MPC Plan using
iteration phase. Some of the most relevant 95⁄8-in. by 101⁄8-in. casing. (Source: Weatherford)
information utilized to plan the operation
included pore pressure, wellbore stability and fracture cal to find a set of conditions that, complemented with
profiles, geothermal profile, well survey, mechanical the application of surface backpressure, will enable the
configuration details and mud properties. In addi- annular pressure profile to fit within the available mar-
tion, accurate information from the pumping services gin throughout the entire operation (Figure 2).
company was crucial regarding the cement properties, The last step of the implemented MPC engineering
volumes, intended densities and pumping conditions process included the MPC program creation and disclo-
based on its experience to obtain proper isolation. The sure. Once all calculations were done, it was considered
data collection also includes the inputs from the opera- of paramount importance to communicate the results,
tor regarding the goals and targets to be accomplished instructions and suggestions in a clear way to all person-
during the job. nel involved in the cement job. The surface backpres-
During the MPC engineering process, the gathered sure plan and actions needed to be communicated
information is used to calculate and predict the annu- clearly to the MPD crew on site to facilitate a smooth
lar temperatures and pressures to be obtained during execution and prevent any confusion or misunderstand-
the cement job. Besides evaluating variations of the ings. The cement representatives, site supervisors and
circulating conditions and surface pressure, additional operator’s engineers and supervisors who were making
variables can be manipulated to evaluate the effect of the operational decisions needed to have a clear under-
the adjustment on the resultant pressure profiles. Fluid standing of the calculations performed and the inputs
densities, viscosities, volumes, water-oil ratios and other used as well as the pressures, flow rates and sequence of
fluid properties can be adjusted as operationally practi- actions to be conducted during the cement jobs.
Next-generation green
friction reducer
An alternative to the conventional inverse emulsion polymers improves performance
in freshwater to high TDS produced waters.
FIGURE 1. This table offers a comparison of the VORARAD technology for resin-coated sand proppant versus incumbent technologies.
(Source: Dow Polyurethanes)
Streamlining technology
The technology team added data
acquisition technology to the
FlareZero system, opening the
door for producers to have the
ability to increase accuracy and
future planning through data
collection. Through a system of
sensors and transmitter technol-
ogy, real-time data monitoring
offers another level of efficiency
and cost control when it comes
to emissions management. This
technology eliminates the need An artist’s rendering depicts an example of a multiwell configuration optimized for minimum
for personnel to stay on top of emissions. (Source: Covenant Testing Technologies)
tanks to measure tank levels,
therefore reducing headcount on location and allowing surface that could then be put back into the drawdown
personnel to have more focused tasks. Real-time infor- were able to be predicted. This operator was impressed
mation is stored in a web-based portal, allowing opera- with the success of the well flowing at liquid rates as high
tors to review data in real time on location or remotely. as 18,000 bbl/d with 89% water cut and 8.5 MMcf/d
Finally, monitoring data from flash gas and capturing of gas. The operator went on to say it had never been
flowback data, the operator can better understand able to achieve differential pressures that low at those
choke schedules and production optimization models. rates. The additional 300 psi to 400 psi of drawdown was
Some operators also integrated Covenant’s Nexus applied to the reservoir and made the predicted impact.
platform, which offers data consolidation. This platform This producer is now planning to implement this system
pulls all data together in a concise format for operators for the rest of its multiwell programs in the Permian.
and engineers to create a variety of reports. The Nexus and data acquisition technologies were
used on a successful trial in the Eagle Ford and are
Case study predicted to be an ongoing piece of the FlareZero con-
Covenant partnered with a major Permian Basin figuration going forward with this same producer in the
operator that utilized the engineered FlareZero and Permian. Covenant has the ability to move quickly on
Nexus platform systems. Covenant employed complex the engineering side and rapidly generate the simula-
simulation software to model the surface system based tions and models needed to achieve efficient planning.
on parameters and pressure-volume-temperature data The future of emissions management will likely con-
gathered from the operator directly. By doing so, the sist of a recipe for having functional central tank bat-
complete system could be manipulated to understand teries and production facilities ready sooner in which
where efficiencies could be improved upon and capital- flowback can be turned directly to bulk separators with
ized. This allowed the physical layout and configuration the assistance of sand management, pressure control
of the surface flowback system to be planned specifically and real-time data. At the same time, individual multi-
for the well, the pad dimensions and configuration phase flowmeters will take the place of smaller test
as well as the expected performance of the well. This separators, thereby shrinking the flowback footprint to
exclusively allowed for a mass reduction in delta P (pres- things more compact and designed to operate with
sure drop) across the entire surface system, which could minimal manpower. The companies that establish
then be reinvested downhole. teams of engineers that work alongside production
By coupling the outputs and model of the surface sys- and technology experts are able to develop sustainable
tem with transient pressure analysis software, the effects systems to affect emissions management as well as the
and benefits of the newly available pressure saved at the big picture of well economics.
relatively small footprint and offers operators an alterna- Applications include downhole circulation in the well
tive to CT that can be rapidly deployed across all types annulus, remediation of sustained casing pressure
of installations onshore and offshore, reducing overall and cementing, annulus fluid replacement, sealant
HSE exposure while maximizing operational uptime. for downhole leak repair, corrosive fluid displace-
Rigup time for the new system is no more than 4 ment, diagnostics and logging, and environmental and
hours, and the number of personnel required ranges groundwater protection.
from four to six (compared to up to 11 or even more The WellSpring annulus intervention system offers
for CT). Lifting requirements are limited. It can be minimally intrusive equipment allowing the wellhead
deployed almost universally across all types of installa- remediation of annular integrity issues without the
tions and into the most challenging of wellbores at tem- use of a heavy workover rig, resulting in significantly
peratures ranging up to 150 C and to depths in excess reduced cost (up to 95%). This system, which can be
of 10,000 ft. rapidly mobilized, helps operators prolong the life of
The LWCS does not utilize an injector (like CT). wells and increase recovery through the revitalizations
Instead, it is weighted down by the bottomhole assem- of shut-in and low production wells.
bly (BHA) connected on the downhole end of the hose
and run in hole by gravity feed, in a similar way to wire- Multiple runs
line. The CoilHose unit is used to deploy and retrieve The CoilHose LWCS system has been deployed on mul-
the CoilHose and BHA from the wellbore. tiple occasions with more than 100 runs in live wells. It
The tubing itself is a flexible and reinforced high-pres- was used recently to successfully remediate a failed
sure hose. It incorporates several layers of high-tensile downhole safety valve in a well in the North Sea where
steel wires and an outer layer made of thermoplastic scale buildup was suspected of having impeded full
materials. With a safety factor of four, the specially travel of the flow tube resulting in the failed test for the
designed hose has a working pressure of 12,500 psi. valve at 1,740 ft. Following a thorough assessment and
The pressure control package used to deploy planning process, including high-pressure pumps and a
CoilHose into the wellbore consists of a customized filter/suction package, a 2,500-ft-long hose was run in
pressure control head and triple or quad ram BOP. the well and a nozzle was used to jet a solution, includ-
The ram configuration is set to be the same as for a ing 15% hydrogen chloride at 3 ft per minute across the
CT operation, with a shear/seal on top and pipe rams valve. Subsequent tests on the downhole safety valve pro-
in the middle and at the bottom. The pipe ram is vided positive results for the operation undertaken, with
designed to seal without damaging the hose. full flow tube travel restored.
All BHA components such as the end connector,
dual flapper valves, straight-pull release, swivel,
weight bars, turbine and variations of cleaning
nozzles have been designed and manufactured
to complement the system. Applications include
downhole safety valve and wellhead cleanout,
nitrogen gas lift or unloading wells, memory log-
ging services, halite and hydrate removal, tubing
cleanout and fluid displacement.
This technology provides the further efficiency
of being able to deploy wireline from the same
unit, thus avoiding lengthy and costly idle rigup
and rigdown periods between the different types
of intervention.
In addition to the intervention of the main
wellbore, Expro has the ability to enter and
intervene in the annuli. With casing integrity
issues, such as pressure in the annulus (a grow-
ing concern due to the industry’s stock of aging
wells), Expro’s annulus intervention technologies The CoilHose Light Well Circulation System minimizes the loss of hydrocarbon
are helping to address well integrity challenges. production and lowers the overall cost of intervention. (Source: Expro)
FIGURE 2. Failure to determine in advance that the fire alarm system of the three plants was interconnected resulted in significant downtime
and costly cleanup. (Source: ABB)
appropriate approaches can be prepared for every sce- the condenser under 40 tons of sand and let the fire
nario to reduce project risk for everybody involved. burn out.
Clearly, this was a serious and potentially deadly
Case studies incident with high risks had it not been successfully
Despite more awareness of the importance of planning and quickly controlled. The loss of potentially sellable
and adopting a strategic and expert approach to demo- material was estimated at about £50,000, which could
lition, the industry is still within a step change of under- have been avoided with careful and insightful planning.
standing and committing to spend a little more on the Unfortunately, this was not the only, or end of, inci-
process to get a better result. dents that occurred during this plant demolition.
In one case study, a process condenser when origi- In another case study, the plant to be demolished was
nally installed was constructed of titanium with a mild one of three facilities, and the other two were to remain
steel outer jacket. During operational issues, this was live and operational. Despite preparation and receipt of
changed to stainless steel to enable easier cleaning. a handover document and work control permits confirm-
When it came to decommissioning and demolition, the ing that all of Plant 1’s (i.e., the one to be decommis-
as-built drawings did not reflect this change, as no one sioned and demolished) equipment had been de-ener-
had foreseen the need to update and detail it. gized, isolated and decontaminated, it came to light after
The change to stainless steel was not a good one, as the event that the fire alarm system of the three plants
the material could not handle the corrosive nature of was interconnected (Figure 2). The automatic fire fight-
the product it was holding. As a result, the old titanium ing response system was deployed in the two operational
condenser was re-installed with some modifications plants when the alarm was set off within the plant being
during operations. Once again, the blueprints were not decommissioned. In failing to identify this issue upfront,
adapted or even noted. Luckily, this was not an issue the two neighboring live plants were quickly filled to
during operation, but it quickly became a major one the brim with firefighting foam. As a result, both plants
during the demolition. incurred significant downtime and costly cleanups.
Many operators look to recoup demolition costs by
selling on the material recovered at the end of decom- Experience delivers good decisions
missioning. This case was no different from the com- These use cases show how the smallest factors can create
pany in question looking to sell on its scrap metal. To the biggest issues. It takes expert support to understand
achieve this, however, the different composite metals and foresee how potential pitfalls can have risky and
needed to be separated. Air tests are generally carried expensive fallouts. It is not a process easily shortcut, nor
out alongside hot work to separate, for example, tita- should it be.
nium from steel. With so many potential hazards at play, the same
In this case, what was believed to be steel versus level of importance should and must be placed on
stainless was inaccurate. As a result, a metal fire, decommissioning as is for installation to ensure the
which was very hard to extinguish, occurred. The best possible outcome of reduced hazards, lower risk
operator acted quickly and with guidance, and as the and, where applicable, little to zero counter effect on
condenser was in a remote area, it was agreed to bury any ongoing operations.
As Ariel’s largest compressor frames, the KBB and KBV are rated Baker Hughes’ engineers take part in the Completions &
up to 10,000 bhp and feature a modern, durable design with a Wellbore Intervention workshop in Saudi Arabia.
strengthened internal structure. (Source: Ariel Corp.) (Source: Baker Hughes)
completion, and production and optimization, as well Program facilitates efficient management of
as its equipment, specifically flexible pipes and Baker replacement inventory
Hughes’ latest subsea equipment. The company also will Gardner Denver’s Parts on Demand (POD) service is a
be showcasing its latest artificial intelligence solutions, part of Experience 360, a comprehensive set of solutions
which deliver digital transformation technologies that built around pumps, parts, presence and people, and it is
will drive new levels of productivity for the oil and gas utilized in more than 100 customer sites in North America
industry. bakerhughes.com and the Middle East. The POD program facilitates efficient
management of replacement parts inventory at regional
Run a more productive job site and improve locations, facilities or well sites. Gardner Denver will place
safety culture physical inventory at the customer’s location in their ware-
At ADIPEC, Caterpillar Oil and Gas will showcase the house or in a Gardner Denver container for onsite avail-
latest technological solutions from Cat Connect and ability at any time. In addition, Gardner Denver’s Thunder
different service options available for the industry. Cat Quintuplex frac pump combines 3,000 bhp with an 11-in.
Connect is an intelligent suite of hardware, software and stroke to reduce running speed and extend consumable
services designed to help operators run a more prof- life. The new pump was designed for longevity with stainless
itable operation while boosting efficiency, improving steel construction, a new geometry to minimize stress and
safety and saving time and money. From simple asset a design that is more conducive to efficient maintenance.
tracking to full data and fleet management, Cat Con- gardnerdenver.com
nect offers options for every need and budget, and the
technology works on both Cat and other manufacturers’
equipment. cat.com/oilandgas
Coriolis vibratory gyros assure precise wellbore guidance critical failure modes, are
for collision avoidance. The tool also provides continu- tougher and more resis-
ous inclination and toolface from the vertical while slid- tant to abrasion while
ing as well as full surveys on demand. gyrodata.com in difficult downhole
environments. Deep-
Enterprise-level analytics platform collects, leach technology helps
analyzes and acts on data ION cutters maintain
The major focus area for Honeywell at ADIPEC 2019 will thermal stability, and as
be the advancement of digitalization across the Middle the cutters are designed
East’s oil and gas industry. At the show, the company will for fracturing and shear-
debut a new enterprise-level analytics platform for the first ing, they are more effective
time in the region. Honeywell Forge for Industrial is a new in brittle formations such
category of software that improves the way companies col- as carbonates and clastic
lect, analyze and act on data from their operations. It con- rock. The Falcon bit also
verts massive quantities of data from processes, assets and incorporates depth-of- Optimized blade height, forward
people into actionable insights and enables top-to-bottom cut control components lean and root geometry on
visibility into how operations are performing from a single that maximize surface Falcon bits address downhole
screen. This new enterprise performance management contact area to improve loading and improve drilling
software leverages predictive analytics to help identify cutter engagement, performance. (Source: NOV)
maintenance issues before they happen, enables workers which provides a signifi-
to be more productive and safe, and reduces costs while cant reduction in torque fluctuations. Finally, improved
increasing productivity. honeywell.com HydroShear nozzles increase hydraulic shear close to
the formation surface and cutter interface, overcoming
Tool allows compromised area to be clad, typical issues with cuttings evacuations and heat accumu-
sealed with minimal ID loss lation on PDC cutters. nov.com
Mohawk Energy develops, manufactures and installs
expandable tubular technologies that are designed to Demulsifiers more than 60% biodegradable
solve the most critical downhole challenges. Casing, tub- in seawater
ing or completion equipment in the wellbore may fail With the growing environmental regulations surround-
or deteriorate over the life of the well. This may occur ing the oil and gas industry, companies are faced with
due to multiple reasons including corrosion, leaking the challenge of employing sustainable and environ-
tubular connections or failed sliding sleeves. Mohawk mentally acceptable materials in oil and gas applications.
Energy’s ReLine MNS product allows the compromised Demulsifiers are an essential component of upstream
area to be clad and sealed with minimal inner diameter production chemicals that are necessary to separate
(ID) loss, while providing high burst and collapse rating. oil from water once crude oil is produced from a well.
The ReLine MNS is designed for deployment on jointed High-performance and environmentally compliant
pipe. The patch can cover an area ranging from 30 ft materials for this application are still scarce. Nouryon
to more than 7,000 ft in length. The ReLine MNS also has released a range of demulsifiers that provide oil
can be deployed through various ID restrictions in the producers with a more sustainable option to separate
wellbore such as nipples, frac sleeves or mixed strings of crude oil from natural gas and water. The Witbreak NEO
heavyweight casing. mohawkenergy.com range is more than 60% biodegradable in seawater based
on OECD 306 and holds no substitution warnings per
Bit designed for drilling challenges of the CEFAS classification. nouryon.com
Middle East and North Africa
National Oilwell Varco (NOV) will be highlighting its New gas pressure regulator valve reduces
Falcon regional bit line at ADIPEC 2019. The new Falcon weight and costs
bit is based on the proven Tektonic platform but incor- Oxford Flow designs and manufactures pressure con-
porates a number of new features designed to address trol equipment using technology originally developed
the drilling challenges of the Middle East and North Afri- at Oxford University. Oxford Flow’s pressure reducing
can markets. ION application-specific multidimensional valves can significantly reduce costs for the oil and gas,
cutter geometries, which are fine-tuned to overcome water and process industries. The company’s new IM
gas pressure regulator valve is designed to increase tNavigator is a single program covering seismic inter-
reliability and reduce costs for operators. The valve pretation, well correlation, geological modeling, fluid
offers superior pressure control compared to con- characterization, well modeling, reservoir simulation
ventional technologies, and its compact construction and surface network design. The program creates value
considerably reduces weight and therefore the need for conventional and unconventional assets. This means
for expensive lifting equipment. The design also users deal with only one interface and only one point
removes the valve components most prone to failure, of data entry. This avoids extra work and makes learn-
almost entirely eliminating the need for maintenance. ing easier. In addition, workflows can be put under the
Oxford Flow’s most recent advance is a valve designed control of tNavigator’s optimization and uncertainty
specifically to handle oil and gas fluids. This control engine. These workflows can improve understanding of
valve has no valve stem, which removes the most prone the interactions between the individual elements of the
leak path and reduces the risk of fugitive emissions. workflow. For example, the impact of uncertainty in seis-
oxford-flow.com mic velocity modeling on water handling capacity can be
quickly and easily determined in a single workflow in the
Mixer treats natural gas for the LNG industry same program using robust physics. Answers to this ques-
ProSep’s Annular Injection Mixer (AIM) has demon- tion on water handling capacity can help avoid the need
strated its high efficiency in treating natural gas for for expensive retrofitting of surface facilities. rfdyn.com
the LNG industry, providing an optimized method to
increase the LNG’s heating value and removing BTEX Tubing products designed to
contaminants. The high-efficiency AIM design com- enhance productivity
prises an inlet convergent cone, injection spool and Sandvik is a developer and producer of advanced stain-
divergent cone, which allows for a liquid hydrocarbon less steels, special alloys, titanium and other high-perfor-
stream to be blended (quenching) into natural gas, mance materials. At ADIPEC 2019, Sandvik will showcase
achieving 100% vaporization. The AIM mechanical an extended range of tube products for upstream and
design delivers enhanced fluid dispersion using the downstream markets, including high-corrosion-resistant
momentum transfer between the gas stream and the products such as hydraulic and instrumentation, heat
injected stream creating high mass-transfer properties, exchanger, and oil country tubular goods tubing, control
while the annular injection ring generates a homoge- lines and umbilicals. Sandvik also will showcase its produc-
neous downstream process fluid. prosep.com tivity-enhancing transportable onsite or container-based
coiled tubing production unit. The onsite unit allows
installation of equipment at the customer’s facilities for
final stage production, while the container unit provides a
temporary installation with equipment built within a fully
mobile container. These provide Middle East customers a
solution for decoiling, straightening and line marking to
any lengths in remote areas. In addition, generator oper-
ation and air conditioning make it ideal for use in desert
environments. sandvik.com
AI4ESP has performed as expected, enabling operators to predict ESP failures up to 12 days in advance and reducing production
downtime by roughly one-third. (Source: Siemens)
and field-tested AI4ESP, an autonomous well surveil- duction enabling benefits of DIAL in both single and
lance tool for remotely monitoring ESP performance dual-string completions. silverwellenergy.com
that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to predict failures
days before they occur. Incorporating self-learning Next generation of centralization
models, AI4ESP uses operating data (real-time and his- Some companies face the challenge of centralization
torical) from a variety of sensors as “fuel” to build an in an under-reamed open hole. To date, it has proven
increasingly robust ESP behavior profile for anomaly very difficult to run casing and liners through tight
detection and predictive maintenance. siemens.com cased-hole restrictions with oversized large diameter
centralizers. This is due to the high accumulative
Digital gas-lift system enables more
production with less intervention
At ADIPEC 2019, Silverwell will be exhibiting its Digital
Intelligent Artificial Lift (DIAL) gas-lift production
optimization system. DIAL overcomes the production
constraining limitations of existing gas-lift technology,
enabling on-demand adjustment of gas-lift injection
rate and depth from the surface without intervention.
Typical achievable production uplifts are in the order
of 10% to 20%, although this can be even greater
in dual-string applications that Silverwell is piloting
with a client in the United Arab Emirates. In addition
to enabling more production with less intervention,
DIAL provides a continuous stream of in-well pressure
and temperature data. More data significantly reduce
uncertainty in gas-lift well design and when making The PHAZER under-reamed centralizer has been designed to
production and reservoir management decisions. In glide through previous cased-hole restrictions and open up to
addition to showcasing DIAL, Silverwell will be unveil- provide a high level of standoff in the open hole.
ing a new demonstration unit to illustrate the pro- (Source: Vulcan)
drag forces that provide effective centralization in while allowing remedial repairs to be made to surface
the larger under-reamed openhole sections. After equipment. Using cost-effective engineered services like
more than two years of R&D, Vulcan has engineered Freeze, Hot Tap and Valve Drilling, Wild Well’s clients
a slip-on centralizer called PHAZER: FLEX. Its new save time and money by putting the well back on pro-
blade design maintains low run into hole drag forces duction safely and quickly. wildwell.com
when passing through the cased-hole restrictions.
Upon entering the under-reamed openhole sections, Robotic catalyst removal technology
superior standoff also is achieved, in turn providing increases uptime
ideal conditions for zonal isolation. This design offers Launched commercially in May, Worley’s CAROL (Cata-
a 100% performance improvement over the existing lyst Removal Amphirol) is the world’s first commercially
centralizer products available in the market and, in available robotic catalyst removal technology. CAROL
most cases, replaces expensive centralizer sub alterna- minimizes the time spent by workers unloading catalyst
tives. vulcan-cp.com in confined refinery and petrochemical vessels and
increases uptime, thereby reducing the unloading dura-
First single-trip openhole cementing and tion. Human safety is improved by a factor of 10. Effi-
sidetrack system ciency is improved by at least 20%. Until now, catalyst
Weatherford has announced the market launch of its unloading has typically been performed by catalyst con-
AlphaST single-trip openhole cementing sidetrack sys- tractors that enter the vessel with a breathing apparatus.
tem, a market-first capability to initiate sidetrack oper- Contractors spend about 10,000 hours unloading cata-
ations without the need of a cement plug. Designed to lyst every year in a nitrogen atmosphere that does not
increase operator flexibility, eliminate multiple trips and support life. By inventing a robot that can remove this
avoid costly cementing operations, AlphaST is the world’s catalyst and eliminate the need for human entry into an
only single-trip openhole cementing and sidetrack sys- inert atmosphere, CAROL has the potential to save
tem. The system enables operators to never again need to many lives. The robot also provides an alternative to
sidetrack from a cement plug and avoid the cost and time waterflooding and the associated disposal of the poten-
of setting a cement plug, waiting on cement and time tially contaminated water. worleyparsons.com
drilling. The bottom line is opex savings equal
to days of rig time. weatherford.com
(Source: westtexasfish/Shutterstock.com)
Days on Location
1,400 600
80%
YoY Change
1,200 500
Spud Count
30
1,000 60% 400
800 40% 20 300
600 200
20% 10
400 100
200 0%
0 0
0 -20% 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
Average Total Rig Days Average of Footage
Spud Count YoY On Location Per Day
FIGURE 2. The number of wells spudded in the Scoop/Stack has steadily increased, while the average total rig days has decreased. (Source: Enverus)
FIGURE 3 (right). Perf lengths in the Scoop/ COMPLETION PRACTICES OVER TIME
Stack have increased slightly over the past 8,000 60
three years while the volume of proppant
Perf Length, Proppant per Foot
7,000
and fluid per foot has remained steady. 50
6,000
(Source: Enverus Engineering Explorer)
40
MIDCONTINENT PRODUCTION
350 3.5
Oil Q3 2019 300 3
STACK: 295 Mbbl/d
SCOOP: 202 Mbbl/d 250 2.5
Oil (Mbbl/d)
Gas (Bcf/d)
Oil 2020 YE
200 2
STACK: 298 Mbbl/d
SCOOP: 237 Mbbl/d 150 1.5
Gas Q3 2019
100 1
STACK: 2.67 Bcf/d
SCOOP: 2.23 Bcf/d
50 0.5
Gas 2020 YE
0 0
STACK: 2.86 Bcf/d
1/1/2014
3/1/2014
5/1/2014
7/1/2014
9/1/2014
11/1/2014
1/1/2015
3/1/2015
5/1/2015
7/1/2015
9/1/2015
11/1/2015
1/1/2016
3/1/2016
5/1/2016
7/1/2016
9/1/2016
11/1/2016
1/1/2017
3/1/2017
5/1/2017
7/1/2017
9/1/2017
11/1/2017
1/1/2018
3/1/2018
5/1/2018
7/1/2018
9/1/2018
11/1/2018
1/1/2019
3/1/2019
5/1/2019
7/1/2019
9/1/2019
11/1/2019
1/1/2020
3/1/2020
5/1/2020
7/1/2020
9/1/2020
11/1/2020
Date
Sum of Crude Oil Production (Bbl/d) - Scoop - EIA Sum of Crude Oil Production (Bbl/d) - Stack - EIA
Sum of Gross Gas Production (Mcf/d) - Scoop - EIA Sum of Gross Gas Production (Mcf/d) - Stack - EIA
A gas tanker is moored offshore the Northern Territory where officials have approved the use of hydraulic fracturing after a nearly
three-year ban on its use in the territory. (Source: KDS Photographics/Shutterstock.com)
In August the Australian government unveiled 64 areas Dorado oil and gas field development, and the acquired
as part of its 2019 offshore petroleum acreage release. seismic data may lead to potential drilling of some
According to industry reports, it is the largest release high-graded exploration targets, such as Pavo and Apus.
since 2000 and involves more than 120,000 sq km of acre- Meanwhile, the Queensland government earlier this
age to be offered in a single round of bidding. year named the preferred tenderers for natural gas
Areas are available for exploration across five basins exploration acreages in the Surat Basin. Senex Energy
in Commonwealth waters offshore Western Australia, and Galilee Energy have been awarded land for explo-
Victoria and the Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands. ration, with all the gas produced from these areas to be
During the same month, the Department of Mines, supplied exclusively to the domestic market.
Industry Regulation and Safety opened applications
for round 20 of its co-funded exploration drilling Western Australia
scheme, which provides $5 million per year to encour- In August Strike Energy made a significant gas discovery
age drilling in greenfields and underexplored areas of about 4.7 km deep in the Kingia sandstone as part of
Western Australia. the West Erregulla-2 drilling campaign north of Perth.
In May Carnarvon Petroleum commenced work on a The company also announced a gas discovery in the
new 3-D seismic survey over the Dorado and Roc discov- Wagina sandstone. Stuart Nicholls, managing director
eries and a number of nearby prospects off the north- of Strike Energy, called it a “significant discovery” from
west coast of Western Australia. a secondary target that carried a low predrill probability
According to industry reports, the Keraudren 3-D of success. In September the company announced the
survey will contribute to the advancement of the completion of all drilling and completion activities at
the West Errregulla-2 well. “The flow test is expected at the Annie-1exploration well, making it the first new
to commence in early October and activities will take Otway Basin gas field discovery from offshore drilling
approximately two weeks to gather flow and pressure in 11 years. Following the discovery, Cooper Energy
data from the reservoir,” according to a press release. secured another offshore exploration permit in the
In addition, Woodside announced on Aug. 25 that the Otway Basin surrounded by gas fields and the adjoining
Greater Enfield Project produced first oil through the Annie-1 gas discovery.
FPSO vessel located off the northwest coast of Western Additionally, in February Exxon Mobil submitted
Australia. Installation of subsea infrastructure and the a revised environment plan for drilling an ultradeep-
project’s 12 development wells have been completed. water exploration well in the Gippsland Basin to the
Woodside CEO Peter Coleman confirmed in a press National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental
release that the first oil from Greater Enfield was pro- Management Authority (NOPSEMA). Following several
duced on schedule and under the project’s budgeted cost. requests for further information by the regulator, the
In June Chevron began the second stage of develop- plan was accepted on June 17. According to Reuters,
ment and commenced expansion of subsea gas-gather- which cited a statement by Exxon Mobil on Sept. 18,
ing network capacity at the Gorgon LNG project. The the oil company is looking to sell its 50% stake in the
company will drill seven new wells in the Gorgon Field Gippsland Basin assets. The other 50% is held by BHP.
and four new wells in the Jansz-Io Field to maintain
supply to the existing gas facilities on Barrow Island. South Australia
Gorgon is one of the world’s largest LNG projects, with In August Senex Energy Ltd. completed the production
a plant capacity of 15.6 million tonnes per annum. The test of the Gemba-1 gas exploration well in the Cooper
campaign also will include system upgrades on Barrow Basin, enabling the well to be brought online by the
Island and the offshore installation of vertical subsea end of the year, according to a press release. The com-
production trees, production pipelines, control umbili- pany announced the successful completion of a five-day
cals and subsea structures. production test, following a seven-stage hydraulic frac-
During the same month, a joint venture (JV) between turing program.
Santos and Carnarvon Petroleum confirmed a major During the same month, Cooper Energy announced
oil and gas discovery with the Dorado-2 appraisal well the successful conclusion of the three-well appraisal
drilled in the Bedout sub-basin. According to prelimi- program at the Parsons oil field.
nary wellsite analysis, the upper zone is oil-bearing but Meanwhile, Red Sky Energy recently announced plans
is subject to further analysis to confirm the hydrocarbon to develop its newly acquired Yarrow Gas Project. With
phase. In September Carnarvon Petroleum announced a goal to start production within three years, Red Sky
that wireline logging of the Dorado-3 well successfully Energy intends to acquire a 3-D seismic survey to increase
confirmed a hydrocarbon-bearing reservoir within the field definition, complete a field development plan, drill
Caley, Baxter and Crespin intervals. a series of wells and deliver production infrastructure.
Meanwhile, in the Browse Basin, McDermott and
Baker Hughes were awarded contracts to provide joint Northern Territory
solutions for subsea umbilicals, risers and flowlines In May a ConocoPhillips-led JV awarded a contract to
(SURF) and subsea production systems (SPS) for Technip Oceania to supply the SPS and associated instal-
the Inpex-operated Ichthys LNG field development. lation support for the Barossa gas development project
Offshore installation of the SURF and SPS equipment in the Timor Sea north of Darwin. The SPS contract
will commence in 2020 and be completed in 2023, includes the engineering, design and fabrication of well-
according to a press release. heads, manifolds and control systems as well as installa-
tion and commissioning assistance.
Victoria
In September Cooper Energy secured a six-year explo- Queensland
ration permit offshore Gippsland Basin, one of the key Equinor submitted an environment plan to the NOPSEMA
hydrocarbon-producing regions in southeast Australia. earlier this year for its proposed petroleum drilling activity
In the first three years, seismic reprocessing and geo- in the Great Australian Bight amid claims of risk by envi-
logical/geophysical studies will be carried out as part of ronmental groups. On June 27, the Australian offshore
a guaranteed work program. During the same month, regulator requested additional information from Equinor
Cooper Energy announced a new gas field discovery on its environment plan, further delaying its decision.
data quality and integrity proved pivotal to obtaining model was built at the well level. The optimization crite-
operationally relevant results. ria were mainly production increases at constant injec-
The first step in the modeling process is data assimi- tion within the limits of the existing facilities, though
lation or training, using a modified Ensemble Kalman for one of the fields the technology was used to evaluate
Filter (EnKF) that enables assimilation of data from a 12-well injector reactivation campaign.
thousands of wells and different data sources with a rel-
atively small ensemble. Additionally, because the EnKF Evaluating the injector reactivation program
is known to underestimate uncertainty, statistical tech- Along with increasing production, YPF aimed to reacti-
niques are used to correct the uncertainty estimates to vate 12 inactive injectors using a Data Physics reservoir
conform with empirical estimates. model to find the best way to execute the reactivation
The predictive capacity of the calibrated models for program. Specifically, YPF needed to assess the optimum
waterflood is demonstrated through a statistical back- way to redistribute existing injection of 42,000 bbl/d of
test process, where the model is fitted to part of the water and allocate an additional 9,000 bbl/d of water
historical data (training data), and the predictions from while reactivating the 12 inactive injectors.
the model are statistically compared to the rest of the A blind test was performed to increase confidence
historical data (test data) at the field and well level. The in the data-driven model in which the base-case
predictive capability of the model is then assessed by (unoptimized) predictions for 15-year cumulative
using correlation coefficients between predicted and production (9,000 bbl of oil) were compared to a
observed data. In this case, a minimum of 0.6 for both previously existing forecast obtained via a 3-D grid-
Spearman and Pearson correlation coefficients was ded simulation using a common commercial sim-
deemed required to confirm predictivity, and values ulator (8,800 bbl of oil). This benchmark yielded
obtained were above this threshold in every case. agreement to within 2.5%, well within the individual
Once a predictive model is available for a specific forecast uncertainties, suggesting the data-driven
field, the model can be used to predict future perfor- model was at least as accurate as YPF’s previous
mance for different injection plans and to optimize for model obtained by best-practice workflows.
the best injection prescription. The technology uses Furthermore, this base case could be optimized by
evolutionary algorithms to handle the multi-objective redistributing the same amount of water to add an addi-
optimization problem, which in this case involved sev- tional 700,000 bbl of oil (+7.7%) over the 15-year period.
eral operational constraints, such as injection limits After further modeling of efficient scenarios, YPF
across different formations or wells. The result is a selected a target scenario for implementation in the
Pareto front (efficient frontier) that displays produc- field to increase injection from 42,000 bbl/d to 51,000
tion values resulting from applying different injection bbl/d of water. This scenario presents an optimized
regimes (Figure 1). cumulative production increase of 1,500 bbl of oil
Scenarios on the Pareto front are used to make (+16%) compared to the base scenario.
optimization decisions, such as reducing opex by The injection reactivation analysis shows that nine is
maintaining production while slowing down water the optimum number of injectors to reactivate, leaving
injection, increasing revenue by boosting production three injectors inactive. This turns into significant addi-
via water redistribution, reactivating injectors to boost tional savings when compared to the analysis performed
production assessing infill drilling opportunities and with the traditional commercial simulator. Additionally,
many more. the impact of each individual injector was assessed, pro-
ducing an optimum reactivation schedule.
Field selection and predictions
YPF selected three mature fields in each of the main Conclusion
producing basins in Argentina (Cuyo, Neuquén and In this study, YPF has taken the first steps toward imple-
Golfo San Jorge). A large number of wells and historical menting new workflows for reservoir management using
production and injection data at these fields indicated a data-driven approach grounded in the physics of flow.
a high technical probability of training a predictive Applying the technology to injector reactivation
model. Each field has unique petrophysical charac- demonstrated the flexibility of these new technologies,
teristics. Two of the models were built at the level of and YPF is investigating new applications and exten-
individual production zones. With the other, in which sions, including infill drilling and real-time closed-
back-allocation data were not readily available, the loop optimization.
Streamlining
the shale deposits that were believed to be unobtain- processes
able. An important aspect of accomplishing this is Companies rely heavily
understanding what technology—in the field and in on spreadsheets and
the office—is needed for increased productivity and other documents to
improved fieldwork. organize the data they
are receiving from
Four-way match standard jobs. Job tickets can
In operations, there is a standard known as the “four- average six rounds of
way match” that ensures an accurate quote produces the approval before they
right field ticket. From this, the correct invoice is cre- are invoiced, causing
ated, which is pulled from the pricing book. Achieving FieldFX captures job data both delays between com-
the four-way match is a critical concept due to the com- online and while disconnected pletion and invoice.
plexity and high costs associated with pressure pumping from the internet. Implementing a
jobs. Relying on the four-way match is crucial for the (Source: LiquidFrameworks) streamlined digital
specificity of billing associated with pressure pumping. process incorporates
Cross-referencing invoices can take countless hours and everything from operations to field personnel and
a lot of work to ensure all have been accounted for and depicts the details and pertinent information needed
correctly documented. Reducing that amount of time, for invoicing at the time the service is performed. This
while still maintaining accuracy, is vital for businesses to information can then go through the approval process
bill as precisely as possible. Implementing technology quicker because all of the information is readily avail-
that can guarantee the four-way match helps companies able and documented. Implementing technology that
manage their services and uphold their standards. accounts for streamlining a process keeps companies
accountable for maintaining their workers and equip-
Well design management ment while also deciphering the data that are collected
Well designs are important for safe and innovative all in one vicinity.
drilling, especially in potentially unstable areas.
Designing a successful well allows better productivity Invoicing
and the ability to gather data on areas with potential Invoicing for projects requires accurate logging and
leakage or other failures. Software solutions can be quick return. Reducing the time it takes to send out
implemented into a well design for gathering this invoices allows for decreased days of sales outstanding.
information and maintaining workbook data integ- Operators can be selective about how they want the
rity. When looking at the software of a digital solu- invoice formatted (i.e., where some require a great
tion for managing well design, it must be easy to use. deal of information and a breakdown of each subtotal,
While on a pressure pumping job, field operators others prefer minimal information). Priority is placed
need to be able to quickly input the information not on technology that works with customizable invoicing
directly obtainable from the well into the system so and keeps track of clients and their needs. This keeps
the back office can process that information. Com- invoicing efficient and puts time back into fieldwork
panies could be losing out on important information rather than a focus on determining pricing and layout
if field teams are unable to input or collect data of invoices.
The FX Analytics module provides real-time access to powerful business intelligence. (Source: LiquidFrameworks)
Companies collaborate to deliver actionable and processes across offshore and onshore platforms,
data insights for the industry compressor stations, refineries and petrochemical
Schlumberger, Chevron and Microsoft announced the plants, reducing downtime and increasing productivity.
industry’s first three-party collaboration to accelerate The AI-enabled BHC3 Reliability application, powered
the creation of petrotechnical and digital technolo- by the BHC3 AI Suite, draws on Baker Hughes’ domain
gies, a press release stated. Data are quickly emerging expertise by augmenting application alerts with failure
as one of the most valuable assets to any company, yet prevention recommendations and prescriptive actions.
extracting insights from those data is often difficult as bakerhughesc3.ai
information gets trapped in internal silos. As part of the
collaboration, the three companies will work together New ocean-bottom node offers accurate
to build Azure-native applications in the DELFI cog- seismic imaging
nitive E&P environment initially for Chevron, which CGG’s equipment business Sercel has released its GPR, a
will enable companies to process, visualize, interpret new ocean-bottom node, jointly developed in partnership
and ultimately obtain meaningful insights from multi- with BGP, according to a press release. GPR leverages
ple data sources. DELFI is a secure, scalable and open Sercel’s QuietSeis broadband digital sensor technology to
cloud-based environment providing E&P software collect data for seismic imaging, which is more accurate
technology across exploration, development, produc- compared to the data compiled by conventional sensors.
tion and midstream. Chevron and Schlumberger will The launch of GPR coincides with the continuing growth
combine their expertise and resources to accelerate the and maturity of the global node market and further
deployment of DELFI solutions in Azure, with support strengthens CGG’s portfolio of products and services that
and guidance from Microsoft. The parties will ensure are designed to reduce the risks and increase the success
the software developments meet the latest standards of its clients’ reservoir exploration and development
in terms of security, performance and release manage- efforts. The new node has successfully completed sea
ment, and are compatible with the Open Subsurface trials, and BGP’s input from the field has ensured GPR’s
Data Universe Data Platform. The collaboration will be performance is tailored to meet industry requirements. It
completed in three phases starting with the deployment has a compact design and benefits from the fidelity and
of the Petrotechnical Suite in the DELFI environment, ultraquiet performance of QuietSeis as well as flexible
followed by the development of cloud-native applica- deployment options. cgg.com, sercel.com, bgp.com.cn
tions on Azure, and then the co-innovation of a suite of
cognitive computing native capabilities across the E&P
value chain tailored to Chevron’s objectives. slb.com,
chevron.com, microsoft.com
damage. The DMS system has hopper design calms the flow of fluids, helping the sand
been used for monitoring settle as it goes over the baffles. Water from its fourth
the installation of suction-can compartment can be reused on location for drillout
based structures such as man- applications. cpenergy.com
ifolds, templates and pipeline
end terminations. In a recent Initiative aims to overcome drone
subsea installation project for inspection challenges
Ocean Installer AS, the DMS Flylogix Ltd. has launched a North Sea drone initiative
was configured for autono- in collaboration with Total SA, NATS and the Oil &
mous independent operation, Gas Technology Centre, as stated in a press release.
communicating data to instal- The project aims to overcome the challenges associated
lation ROVs. Ashtead utilized The DMS, shown being with drone inspection activities in the North Sea and
measurement sensors and lowered into the sea, allow commercial operators of unmanned aerial vehi-
positioning tools along with monitors, calculates and cles (UAVs) easier access to U.K.-controlled airspace
techniques to enhance the logs structural data. for beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations.
accuracy of the data collected, (Source: Ashtead The collaboration is developing and testing a concept
ensuring maximum perfor- Technology) for drone operations that will allow UAV operators to
mance of the system. Data react within hours of an inspection request and enable
analysis and installation reports for the installation of routine BVLOS in the North Sea. The project involves
eight structures were compiled within 24 hours of each extensive consultation with stakeholders and aims to
installation. The project took place over a 25-day period establish safe and reliable drone operations alongside
and was completed well ahead of schedule, resulting in existing users in controlled airspace. flylogix.co.uk,
significant cost efficiencies. ashtead-technology.com total.com, theogtc.com, nats.aero/drones-overview
New separator eliminates hazardous material Companies collaborate on well data platform
during drilling and completions Lower48 Analytics, a software-as-a-service platform for
CP Energy Services’ Sand Commander is a four-way sep- oil and gas portfolio management, recently announced
arator used during the drillout of the well completion its collaboration with BLR Digital, which allows Lower48
process to separate all hazardous material, removing subscribers to streamline their workflow with access to
99% of harmful gases and 95% of the sand, according extensive oil and gas well production and forecast data.
to the company. Sand Commander is designed for eco- Lower48 integrated BLR Digital’s Well Cloud that con-
friendly completions, cost-effective drillouts, flowback tains information on more than 3.5 million oil and gas
optimization and enhanced safety. The separator is wells and related production and test data. Lower48 also
equipped with an improved vertical gas buster where integrated BLR Digital’s PetroCurveFit, which is a sys-
gas is vented out through the top. Return fluids are tem designed to project production trends for each pro-
churned up to enhance gas removal efficiency while ducing well based on the most current information.
keeping sand from clogging up in the bottom. Its multi- This means that well production and future forecasts
are calculated for more than 1 million producing wells
each month as new data come in and are made available
in Lower48’s geolocated database to support the plat-
form’s financial analytics. lower48.com, blrdigital.com
1 7
6
8
2 5
3
10
11
ODE has opened a new office in Aber- Subsea 7 acquired 4Subsea, a provider
deen to facilitate further expansion of of technology and services that deliver
its operations and engineering offering, key decision support to oil and gas and
Publisher providing technical and operational offshore wind operators worldwide.
HENRY TINNE support to a number of companies
Tel: 713-260-6478 operating in the North Sea. Hicor Technologies has changed its
[email protected]
name to Reach Production Solutions.
Eaton contributed more than $2 mil- The name change follows the commer-
Vice President of Sales
DARRIN WEST
lion to help San Jacinto College estab- cialization of the company’s artificial
Tel: 713-260-6449 lish its new Center for Petrochemical, lift system and represents the transition
[email protected] Energy & Technology, which held its from a compression technology com-
grand opening on Sept. 18 in Houston. pany to a full-service artificial lift and
Senior Marketing Manager Eaton’s consulting, electrical design ser- frac hit recovery solutions provider.
BILL MILLER vices and equipment donations helped
Tel: 713-260-1067
San Jacinto create a hands-on environ- TGS has acquired Lasser Inc., a pro-
[email protected]
ment and curriculum for students to vider of historical and monthly oil and
Executive Director—Digital Media
study complex energy technologies. gas production data.
DANNY FOSTER
Tel: 713-260-6437 Kongsberg Maritime has expanded its Camber Energy Inc. has acquired
[email protected] Canadian operation by establishing its Lineal Star Holdings LLC as part of
presence at the Centre for Ocean Ven- a merger.
Sales Manager, Eastern Hemisphere tures and Entrepreneurship, in Dart-
DAVID HOGGARTH mouth, Nova Scotia. Proserv announced a significant
Tel: 44 (0) 7930 380782 corporate restructure and has established
Fax: 44 (0) 1276 482806
Hi-Crush Inc. has rebranded as HCR two separate divisions: Proserv Controls
[email protected]
and restructured into four independent and Gilmore, a Proserv company, which
Business Development Representative business units: Hi-Crush, NexStage, will sit under the umbrella of the parent
KELLI MUHL Pronghorn and PropDispatch. company, Proserv Group.
Tel: 713-260-6450
[email protected]
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Houston, Texas 77057 USA 100th Anniversary The Hart Energy Store . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
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Fax: 713-627-2546 Aggreko . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Marcellus-Utica Midstream
Beijer Electronics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Conference . . . . . . . . . . . Tip-on, 48-49
Advertising Coordinator
CAROL NUNEZ
BGP Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
MRC Global . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Tel: 713-260-6408 Casillas Petroleum Resource
Nine Energy Services . . . . . . . . . . 2-3
[email protected] Partners LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IFC
CORTEC Fluid Control . . . . . . . . . . 21 Petroleum Equipment &
Subscription Services Services Association . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
D&L Oil Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
E&P Rextag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
1616 S. Voss Road, Suite 1000
E&P . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4, 5
Enventure Global Technology . . . . 27 Stabil Drill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Houston, Texas 77057
Tel: 713-260-6442 Fairfield Geotechnologies . . . . . . . 35 Tubacex Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Fax: 713-840-1449 United Electric Controls . . . . . . . . . . 9
Freemyer Industrial Pressure LP . . 45
[email protected]
Halliburton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13, 29 Veretek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IBC
HartEnergy .com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 Weatherford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . OBC
HartEnergy.com || E&P
E&P| |
Nov.
November
2019 2019 95
last
WORD
A value-chain approach to
reducing emissions
A group of companies is working together to reduce methane emissions across the supply
chain to ensure the sustainability of natural gas.