New interpretation capabilities

dGB has launched OpendTect SSIS, a sequence stratigraphic interpretation system. In SSIS, seismic interpreters have new ways to visualize and analyze seismic data, which leads to better insights of sediment deposition, erosion and timing. In combination with OpendTect's neural networks plug-in, users can follow up with seismic facies clustering and study the resulting patterns and bodies, and their spatial distribution, in relation to geologic timing and system tracts.



The system's workflow is an iterative process that consists of four basic steps. First, major sequence boundaries are interactively mapped with OpendTect's horizon trackers (these can also be imported from other interpretation systems). Next, all possible intermediate horizons are auto-tracked with sub-sample accuracy. Each intermediate horizon corresponds to a geologic time line, i.e. a chrono-stratigraphic event.

Two auto-track models are supported: model-driven and data-driven. In the model-driven approach, chrono-stratigraphy is calculated by interpolation or by adding horizons parallel to upper or lower bounding surfaces. In the data-driven mode, seismic horizons are auto-tracked by following the local dip and azimuth of the seismic events. This mode requires OpendTect's dip-steering plug-in to pre-calculate a steering cube containing the dip and azimuth information.

The third step in the process is the Wheeler transform, a flattening of the seismic data (or derived attributes) along the auto-tracked horizons honoring truncations and erosional/depositional hiatuses. The fourth step is systems tracts interpretation, where the seismic sequences are segmented into system tracts. www2.dgb-group.com

Moyno Tri-Phaze System

The Moyno Tri-Phaze System is the only patented progressing cavity solution offered for multiphase pumping applications within the oil and gas industry. The low total cost of ownership and superior pumping efficiency have turned marginal wells profitable again in simply months.

The system allows all fluids produced at the well site including oil, water and gas to be transported simultaneously through one pipeline to a central processing station. Its exceptional abrasion-resistance allows for smooth transfer of sandy fluid as well. The unit is capable of generating flow rates up to 60,000 bfpd with suction pressures up to 900 psi and discharge pressures up to 1,200 psi. Additionally, the system features a stator elastomer formulation that exhibits exceptional resistance to aromatics.

Additional advantages include the following:

•Efficiently handles gas void fractions up to 99%;

•Low-shear pumping action preserves each fluid's characteristics without emulsification or degradation;

•Extended well production life; and

•Decreased wellbore pressures.

www.moyno.com

New technology advances flowmeter design

A new generation of multivariable digital technology and sensor design in Coriolis flowmeters arrives in Emerson Process Management Micro Motion Elite Coriolis flowmeters. The systems also contain patented self-verification technology that gives the operator on-site assessment of meter calibration.

According to the company, the flowmeters set new highs for performance in measuring mass flow and volume flow and offer a two-fold improvement in density performance. It claims meter stability eliminates the need for field zeroing and the user gains flow accuracy for enhanced operations efficiency, quality control and safety.

For comparison, the company's previous flowmeter offered plus-or-minus .10% accuracy and .the most accurate Coriolis measurement in the industry. The new system offers better mass and volume flow accuracy and up to plus-or-minus .0002 grams/cubic centimeter density accuracy.

Working with transient, or two-phase flow presents problems for many flowmeters. It sometimes requires additional investment in air eliminators or flow-conditioning devices to avoid large metering errors. The new system maintains accuracy under those conditions, even in handling bubble flow, slug flow and empty-full-empty batch applications.

The system improves custody transfer metering through better accuracy and it needs less maintenance. Calibration can be assessed without removing the meter and the stability and reliability allow predictive maintenance that allows operators to take preventative measures before interrupting operations.

Many industry standards or application-specific needs require periodic verification of accurate operations of flowmeters. The Micro Motion system verification capability tracks flow-tube integrity over time. That allows the operator to predict when performance will be needed and assign the task when it is least inconvenient.

That's a big step up from the traditional method of waiting until the meter fails or until product specifications are so far off that quality or process efficiency suffers.

Prevent valve-control errors

New Smith Flow Control QL and GL mechanical valve interlocks help avoid errors in valve control by assuring that potentially hazardous valve operations are performed in the correct sequences. The system eliminates potential operation error or deliberate sabotage, and the systems work with any size ball, plug, gate, butterfly or globe valve.

Traditional mechanical interlocks are designed to support permit-to-work procedures, such as safety relief valve changeovers, pig trap loading and retrieval and filter changes.

Because the QL and GL interlocks simply replace the original hand wheels or levers, they can be fitted easily on existing operations with no shut-downs required, and fitting doesn't require the operation to compromise the pressure envelope of the valves. The interlocks are available to match topworks or specific makes and models or valves or as universal fittings. If they're used as universal fittings, they can be removed and used again if the original host valve is changed.

On-site lock re-coding lets managers change the interlocking sequence if there is a change in the process logic for the system.

The interlocks are made from 316 stainless steel to handle hash onshore and offshore environments. They are available as universal add-ons or they can be made to order in Duplex or SuperDuplex units. Those units are increasingly specified in oil and gas operations where high strength and corrosion resistance is required.

The company normally ships the interlocks in a bright yellow polyester powder coat for high visibility in poor conditions.

The system operates with stainless steel coded-card keys. The user simply pushes them in or pulls them out of weather-sealed slots in the body of the lock. The mechanism is completely maintenance free, according to the producer.