LWD service can deliver accurate acoustic measurements

Sperry Drilling, a Halliburton business line, introduced the XBAT Azimuthal Sonic and Ultrasonic LWD service. Equipped with sensors and electronics that are less sensitive to drilling noise and that have a higher frequency response, the LWD service can deliver accurate acoustic measurements of formations, the company said in a press release. The service uses four transmitters and four azimuthally spaced receiver arrays. Each receiver is sensitive across a range of frequencies and is isolated from the collar to eliminate bit and mud circulation noise, according to the press release. The LWD service provides a 3-D image of the velocities around the wellbore and allows up to five different firing modes downhole, the company said. In wells with unknown formations or varying formation slowness, this can allow flexibility when choosing frequencies. The service also includes four ultrasonic calipers to determine borehole size and shape for a real-time azimuthal borehole image. halliburton.com/xbat.

Gravel-pack and frac-pack system can improve production ratings

The SC-XP gravel-pack and frac-pack system from Baker Hughes is designed to increase operational efficiency by withstanding higher bottomhole temperatures and can improve production ratings compared to previous sand control systems, Baker Hughes said in a press release. The system, which can be used for both frac packing and openhole gravel packing, can be run into the well up to 30% faster than previous systems and can operate in temperatures up to 204°C (400°F) and with treating pressures of 15,000 psi. The system also can convey proppant volumes up to 1.6 MMlb at a rate of 65 bbl/min while still preserving casing integrity and is available in 7-5/8-in. and 9-5/8-in. sizes, according to the press release. Working with a major operator, Baker Hughes used the system to frac-pack a completion in 7-5/8-in. casing at a depth of 3,840 m (12,600 ft) in the Gulf of Mexico’s South Timbalier field. bakerhughes.com.

Interpretation software allows high-definition geological expression

GeoTeric 2013 by ffA allows interpreters to create a comprehensive workflow and achieve high-definition stratigraphic expression, the company said in a press release. The software includes the interactive spectral enhancement workflow, which combines spectral analysis with noise cancellation algorithms to improve the vertical resolution of the seismic data. This can result in greater geological insight, even for stratigraphic events at the limit of the seismic resolution, the company said. In addition, the software’s high-definition frequency decomposition can provide a vertical resolution equivalent to the seismic reflectivity, enhancing the understanding of reservoir complexity and giving clearer isolation of geological features in their true depositional layers, the company said. The software also includes Adaptive Geobodies technology, which can rapidly define 3-D geological objects expressed in the data, even for complex geological features and with interpreter guidance. ffa-geosciences.com.

Gas monitor uses intelligent electronics platform

Oldham’s iTrans 2 fixed gas monitor can detect explosive gases, toxic gases, and oxygen, the company said in a press release. Using an intelligent electronics platform, the technology can provide one or two points of detection from a single head for greater flexibility, improved performance, and lower installation costs. It also can accommodate more than 200 transmitters and can monitor any combination of gases for a specific environment when in RS485 bus configuration, the company said. Features also include nonintrusive calibration, smart sensor technology and safety features, HART and Modbus communication, infrared sensing technology, programmable relays, and explosion-proof aluminum or stainless steel housings. oldhamgas.com.

Rolling PDC cutter can improve drill bit durability

Smith Bits, a Schlumberger company, released the new ONYX 360 rolling polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) cutter. An industry first, the technology enables a PDC cutter to rotate 360° while drilling, which can improve drill bit durability in abrasive formations and extend drill bit life and footage drilled per run, the company said in a press release. Positioned in the highest wear areas of a drill bit’s cutting structure, the rolling cutter uses its entire diamond edge to shear the formation as the bit rotates, thereby distributing wear over its full circumference. Comparatively, only a small fraction of the cutter edge is used in a conventional PDC bit. This rotation allows the cutter’s diamond edge to stay sharp longer, increasing penetration rates and extending drill bit life compared to premium fixed PDC cutter technology. The new PDC cutter’s 360° rotation also can reduce frictional heat buildup, resulting in less wear and fewer bit replacement trips. slb.com/onyx360.

Elastomers provide a fast controlled swell time

TAM International Inc.’s new line of FastSwell elastomers, part of the company’s FREECAP swellable packer product line, can provide a fast controlled swell time at lower temperatures and high salinities compared to conventional elastomers, the company said in a press release. The tool was initially developed for challenging water-swell conditions in the US Permian basin and Russian fracturing markets, and water-swell and oil-swell elastomers are now available worldwide. The water-swell elastomers can be used for fracturing applications between 32°C and 49°C (80°F and 120°F). The technology can reduce production delays for well operators working in low bottomhole temperatures. Instead of relying on protective coatings to prevent premature swelling during the trip in the hole, the elastomers include compounds developed specifically for various global well environment applications, with reliable prediction of swell times designed into the compounds, according to the press release. tamintl.com.

Geophysical software allows analysis of field, seismic data

ARKeX launched its new geophysical software modeling tool, XFIELD, which allows companies to integrate and analyze potential field data alongside seismic data, the company said in a press release. The tool can build constrained geological models, limiting the nonunique nature of potential field data while offering the tools to validate seismic interpretations. Seismic interpreters can use the tool to reduce interpretation uncertainty and exploration risk to increase the value of datasets. Because the tool is a plugin to dGB’s OpendTect seismic interpretation suite, datasets can be visualized, modeled, interpreted, and integrated in a 3-D interpretation workspace, according to the press release. xfieldarkex.com.

Gas blending system adjusts to changes in fuel quality, pressure

Caterpillar Global Petroleum’s Cat Dynamic Gas Blending (DGB) System for Cat 3512C land drilling applications is certified for use with fuels with a lower heating value of between 905 Btu/scf and 1,250 Btu/scf, the company said in a press release. The DGB system received off-road aftermarket parts certification from the California Air Resources Board. The technology automatically adjusts to changes in incoming fuel quality and pressure, which can allow engines to run on a variety of fuels, from associated gas to vaporized LNG with no loss of performance integrity, according to the press release. It maintains diesel performance levels with up to 70% replacement of diesel with gas, accepts up to 55% inerts, and can be applied to existing engines with EPA certification or exemption. The system does not require customer input or gas analysis during operation, and no recalibration is required when the equipment is moved or the gas supply changes, according to the company. catoilandgasinfo.com.