Middle East

TGT Diagnostics, which deals with through-barrier diagnostics for the oilfield, has announced the launch of ‘Horizontal Flow’ diagnostics with Cascade3 technology.

This new system, specifically designed for horizontal wells, provides asset teams with more realistic flow modelling and precise continuous flow profiles in a wide variety of completion and reservoir settings, including fractured formations.

Horizontal Flow diagnostics, supported by the all-new Cascade3 flow analysis platform, is a purpose-built system incorporating the industry’s most advanced thermodynamic and hydrodynamic modelling codes to transform temperature and other well system data into continuous reservoir flow profiles. Essentially, these flow profiles reflect flow both in and out of the reservoir and thus deliver the most accurate and detailed picture of well – reservoir flow behaviour.

Mohammed Hegazi, TGT’s Chief Executive Officer, while speaking about the technology, said, “Understanding the flow dynamics in a well system is the solution for better well and reservoir performance. This is especially true for horizontal wells where fluid flow can be incredibly complex. Horizontal Flow is the most powerful flow analysis product ever created for horizontal well systems. It overcomes many of the challenges faced with conventional production logs and enables operators to maximise hydrocarbon recovery while operating in the safest, cleanest and most economical way possible.”

Ken Feather, TGT’s Chief Marketing Officer, explained that improved understanding provides a much-needed opportunity to optimise performance. “The transition towards cleaner energy and declining opportunities for new field developments means that operators are shifting investments towards recovering more from existing assets. Horizontal wells promise enormous efficiency and economic gains but are notoriously challenging to manage. Horizontal Flow with Cascade3 solves many of the diagnostic challenges faced by Reservoir and Production Engineers, providing them with the insights they need to reduce operating costs and energy consumption, and increase ultimate recovery.”

The complete and accurate downhole assessment Horizontal Flow with Cascade3 offers means that diagnostic deployments can provide a wealth of information from a single programme, thereby reducing uncertainty and avoiding the need for subsequent deployments. Yulia Fesina, Cascade project manager, said “The Cascade3 workflow can also be used to estimate or validate other key parameters that reservoir and production engineers may find extremely valuable, including reservoir pressure, permeability and skin factor. This independent verification of key parameters can help reservoir engineers to resolve uncertainties and improve history matching and dynamic reservoir models.”

Horizontal Flow diagnostics are now available to upstream operators through TGT’s comprehensive range of True Flow answer products.

With more and more producing fields showing late life symptoms like aging well stocks and high water cut, which can lead to well integrity issues, Hemant Kumar, Technical Advisor for Production at Halliburton, explained why well integrity management is becoming more important than ever.

Many gas fields report high CO2 and H2S content which can be challenges for pipe metallurgy and reliability. Faced with increasingly stringent regulations, a shrinking experienced workforce, and the need to control costs, E&P operators are getting serious about well integrity management (WIM).

Path to better well integrity management performance

DecisionSpace Well Integrity Management software is designed to help minimise risks and associated production losses by streamlining well integrity monitoring and analysis. With automated and integrated workflows, it delivers rapid diagnosis of well barrier elements to spot well integrity risks faster and execute preventive and remedial maintenance in time. It helps end users in rapidly identifying high-risk wells, taking corrective actions faster, and mitigating issues to maximise well availability.

Integration with WELLCAT software gives DecisionSpace Well Integrity Management software a better ability to detect the down hole integrity risks early on and help prevent downtime or environmental hazards. “Over 80% of the operators globally trust WELLCAT for its advanced engineering calculations required for well design,” Kumar added.

Workflows in DecisionSpace Well Integrity Management software automatically fetch engineering calculations to continuously update the Stress and Load envelopes of the tubulars and alert end users if actual operating conditions of the wells trend closer to those envelopes. Kumar said this approach gives end users a better understanding of how changing operating conditions impact the integrity of the wells, which is not always possible with the simple MAASP-based operating envelopes.

Flexibility for customisation

DecisionSpace Well Integrity Management software is built on the E&P industry’s fully open, interoperable DecisionSpace platform which offers E&P companies flexibility for customisation and the ability to create well integrity management solutions tailored to their unique business processes and IT environment.

Any WIM software needs to work in a heterogenous technology environment. It needs to talk to a multitude of data sources and adjust to changing modes of operations or expansion. An inability to adjust adds to architectural complexity and cost of ownership, and E&P companies may need to procure additional technologies to keep up with the growing needs of their business.

The underlying DecisionSpace platform connects with a variety of data sources and accommodates evolving workflows, visualisation, and analytical needs without requiring additional technologies. The platform is the foundation to all Halliburton’s digital offerings and is supported by long-term product roadmaps and R&D investments. With a track record of successful implementations globally, it brings to E&P companies the assurance of referenceable quality and future readiness.

Ashtead Technology, an international subsea rental equipment and solutions specialist, has signed a multi-year agreement with Norway-based NORBIT Subsea, a provider of tailored and innovative technology solutions to the global maritime sector, to serve as its exclusive reseller throughout the Middle East.

NORBIT Subsea specialises in the design and development of high resolution wideband multibeam sonars for hydrographic applications, forward-looking applications and advanced subsea leakage detection. Based on the latest in analogue and digital signal processing, their products provide wide coverage monitoring combined with high sensitivity and accuracy.

David Mair, Ashtead Technology’s Business Development Director, commented, “We are delighted to partner with NORBIT Subsea for the exclusive sale of their multibeam sonar survey systems across the Middle East. These systems are industry-renowned for their exceptional performance, innovation and reliability and are in high demand with our customers.

“The Middle East is a key growth market for Ashtead Technology and we are excited to be able to broaden our product and service offering in the region and accelerate our international growth strategy.”

John Fraser, Director of NORBIT UK, added, “This exclusive agreement reinforces our commitment to the Middle East region and our plans for growth. We know Ashtead Technology very well and are delighted to be working together to continue building momentum for our products in the region.”

Ashtead Technology has also invested in NORBIT Subsea’s ultra-compact wideband multibeam sonars which offer high resolution bathymetry over a wide swath. These products are now available to rent throughout the company’s nine international technology and service hubs.

ReLineWL, the expandable technology designed to unlock greater commercial value by maximising production from existing wells, has been successfully deployed in the Middle East for the first time by developers Coretrax.

The global well integrity and production optimisation leader’s ReLineWL is a one-trip, wireline deployed straddle system to address common well integrity issues.

It is proven to deliver a 700% greater flow area when compared to traditional straddles, securing safety and sustainability benefits by reducing the number of onsite personnel required to complete the work.

Introduced in the Middle East for the first time, ReLineWL was deployed to support a major Saudi operator when water ingress on a producing well led to decreased oil recovery. Two ReLineWL 28ft straddles were deployed on e-line, enabling the operator to isolate several perforation intervals to shut off water production zones.

Compared to traditional tools, the ReLineWL’s outer diameter (OD) allowed the system to pass through restrictions before they were expanded and set at almost 7,000ft. The tool delivered a large post-expansion inner diameter, providing maximum production conduit to surface over conventional options.

The well was successfully brought back online with a 31% reduction in water production and additional oil production of 1,400bbls/day. With the requirement for surface water management also reduced the application also significantly reduced the operator’s carbon footprint.

John Fraser, Chief Executive Officer of Coretrax, commented, “The Middle East is a key growth area for Coretrax and the first deployment of our ReLineWL in the region is a significant milestone for the business as we continue to enhance our technology portfolio to support the most complex well integrity challenges. As operators remain focused on maximising recovery efficiently and sustainably, our expandable technology is ideally placed to support this demand.”

Available in various CRA materials, the tool can be configured to smart completion products such as autonomous inflow devices (AICDs) to enhance production by selectively eliminating gas and water production and provide a comprehensive workover solution.

The RelineWL has a high expansion ratio of 75% and is designed for stackability creating a longer, integrated straddle to be deployed, without losing ID. This also allows operators to gain access below if well intervention is required at a later date.

“The ReLineWL already has a proven track record in North America and I’m excited to see this successfully deployed in the Middle East for the first time. As we head into 2022, we already have a healthy pipeline of projects in the region and look forward to working closely with our customers to transform current well performance and deliver greater operational efficiencies,” Fraser continued.

FutureOn, a global software company specialising in the energy sector, has formed a strategic collaboration with Wood, a global consulting and engineering leader, to provide an enhanced service to its client base of global asset operators.

Wood’s expert technical services specialising in the early field development studies for subsea and ocean-based energy systems, will integrate with FutureOn’s unique field design applications, and proven API-centric collaboration platforms, resulting in significant efficiency gains across the design phase.

Having previously trialled FutureOn’s technology in 2019, the latest agreement will see Wood provide technical and integration services to operators using FutureOn’s software. In addition, the company will offer the software as part of its suite of technical services to new and existing customers across the world.

FutureOn’s open and collaborative approach to field design is based on data-rich 2D and 3D visualisations. The inclusion of metadata on assets and costs will enable reliable early-stage production and financial forecasts. It also provides a real-time visual blueprint of a field development allowing project teams and contractors to collaborate remotely, development of options at pace and a shared project workspace for timely delivery.

Wood and FutureOn are committed to supporting the world’s major asset operators’ efforts to build a sustainable economic recovery from their existing infrastructure, optimising asset performance and extending productive field life whilst accelerating the move towards net-zero. The agreement will support these initiatives by combining the power of FutureOn’s FieldTwin technology for the streamlined design of renewable energy systems with Wood’s Automated Design product for pipeline systems that address key aspects of the global net-zero challenge.

“FutureOn is one of the best software solutions companies in the energy sector, and we are delighted to collaborate and serve the dynamic needs of our global client base. Asset operators everywhere are recognising the need to completely transform their existing infrastructure as part of the shift towards a net-zero future. Together, Wood and FutureOn will harness its collective expertise to help them make it happen,” commented Matt Kirk, Senior Vice President, Specialist Engineering and Consulting at Wood.

Darrell Knight, Executive Vice President of Strategy and Partnerships, added, “The collaboration is the perfect fit as we place the same importance on bringing innovation to the fore to solve the most critical challenges, including the improved communication and increased collaboration necessary to achieve the shortest possible path to energy generation, the best returns over the life of any asset, and minimising the impact on the environment. We’re looking forward to building on this collaboration, and bringing this new, integrated solution to our customers to support their goals.”

Tony Branch, a former President of Weatherford’s Regional Operations, will lead Westerton Access, an industry leader and technical innovator in the provision of subsea and topside inspection solutions, and the recently-launched Westerton SplashZone Integrity Specialists (WSIS), a company specifically formed to tackle the highly corrosive and problematic area immediately above and below the water line.

The companies are part of the wider Westerton portfolio, which includes Westerton’s fishing and intervention service.

Robin Porter, Founder of Westerton, said, “We are pleased to have Tony on board, and look forward to working with him. He is experienced in executive leadership roles and has led companies through transitional periods, including the launch of new product lines, so his skillset is well-suited to the newly structured Westerton group of companies.

“He has a proven track record in merging different operations into one cohesive team and I am excited at the prospect of increased growth and collaboration we will see across our specialist companies.”

Branch, who has more than 30 years worth of experience in the industry, commented, “I am excited to be joining a talented, dynamic and client focused team with a strong technical offering. The business has a strong foundation, and I am looking forward to working with the team to help deliver results for our valued clients.

“Building on our recent and successful expansion into the Middle East, we have further growth aspirations, both in terms of geography and the size of the organisation, and I look forward to playing a part in that, along with the rest of the team. Our Access and WSIS services both solve significant problems, not only in our traditional industry of oil and gas, but also in other sectors such as offshore wind."

Branch added, "All structures that are in the ocean are subject to harsh operating conditions and need to be inspected and repaired, regardless of whether they are oil and gas platforms or a wind farm. These assets need to be inspected quickly, efficiently and more cost effectively than traditional vessel-based services currently offer, and with the skills, technology and experience we possess, that is something we are more than capable of doing, saving operators money.”

The appointment of Branch comes after the company has expanded its footprint in the Middle East with new offices in Dubai.

Expro has launched Galea, the world’s first fully autonomous well intervention system, designed to maximise production while reducing intervention costs, HSE risks and environmental impact.

Galea replaces larger, conventional and more labor-intensive wireline rig-ups for a range of slickline operations such as solids removal, plug setting/pulling and logging surveys. It can be configured in a variety of operating modes to suit a range of applications onshore and offshore.

Max Tseplic, Expro’s Vice-President of Well Intervention, explained, “Galea maximises production while reducing operational overheads by using an intelligent, autonomous system to perform a variety of slickline operations.

“Frequent, routine interventions typically involve significant manpower and equipment, which are costly. Planning these operations is often restricted by the availability of hardware and crew. The environmental impact of regular interventions, and the movement of vehicles and equipment, are also significant, as is the HSE risk to crew in travelling to and from well sites and performing operations.

“Galea eliminates these challenges by removing the movement of people and equipment to the well site for each intervention. Remote control and 24/7 monitoring reduce HSE risk and allow production to continue in inaccessible areas. The reduced environmental impact of using Galea helps asset managers comply with environmental regulations.”

In fully autonomous mode, Galea deploys a tool string into the well either at regular intervals or as defined by the well conditions. In semi-autonomous mode, Galea performs a pre-programmed intervention sequence, initiated locally or remotely. A small, self-contained intervention package permanently located at the well site eliminates the need for a wireline unit or truck.

In manual mode, Galea enables quick rig-up intervention compared to conventional operations. When not in use, the system occupies a fraction of the well site or deck-space required for a standard slickline winch unit and PCE package.

Galea also has several fail-safe features to ensure containment and eliminate potential wire-breaks during operations.

3D at Depth Inc., an expert in commercial Subsea LiDAR (SL) laser technology has announced that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has issued patent No.11,125,875 (“Underwater Optical Metrology System”).

The claims of the newly issued patent are directed towards systems for determining the location of underwater objects, making measurements between objects, and facilitating the positioning of objects underwater using optical and acoustical metrology techniques.

Through the combination of optical and acoustic technologies, 3D at Depth’s LiDAR can be used across the life cycle of the field from installation to decommissioning. The granting of this new patent benefits 3D at Depth in ensuring that its Subsea LiDAR (SL) technology and solutions continue to lead the field in providing precise measurement in underwater metrology while expanding and future proofing applications in the subsea LiDAR market. The patent award is part of a larger portfolio that demonstrates 3D at Depth’s achievements and contributions in developing subsea and surface measurement solutions to drive innovation and support customer requirements.

Carl Embry, Chief Executive Officer, 3D at Depth, stated “The award of this patent reinforces the strength of our technical service offering. In order for our clients to provide safe and reliable operations, they require accurate measurements and monitoring of their underwater assets. By using our survey services along with our advanced subsea LiDAR (SL) laser systems, we can reliably provide them with precise, repeatable and millimetric 3D point clouds, thus ensuring fast, accurate measurements”.

“Since we first commercialised subsea LiDAR in 2014, minimising time and increasing efficiencies for our customers’ offshore operations was a key driver in our innovations,” stated Neil Manning, Chief Operating Officer, 3D at Depth. “Our Subsea LiDAR’s field-proven benefits are now used across the energy and maritime sectors from offshore oil and gas to nuclear and renewables. These patents remain a cornerstone of a new generation of optical survey subsea measurement technology.”