本月技术动态，共更新8项国际前沿技术信息。
编译 | 惊蛰 二丫
2018 年油价的起伏让曙光乍现的全球勘探开发再一次蒙上阴影。世界油气勘探开发在波折中前行，美国非常规油气产量继续保持增长，中国国内油气勘探开发力度加大。油价的屡次波动将促使石油行业寻求新的生产要素的加入以形成相对稳定的发展机制，比如将更多的新技术如云计算、人工智能、大数据等运用到石油天然气的勘探开发之中，形成以不变应万变的发展之力。
新型连续油管优化锥形过渡带
国民油井华高（NOV）近日宣布TRUE-TAPER XR技术正式投入商业应用，这是一种新型连续油管（CT），其结构得到了完全的设计优化，锥形过渡带更短。NOV表示，锥形结构的缩短显著优化了CT作业性能，尤其是在大位移井中作业中可以获得更好的结果。设计人员通过逐渐改变扁钢带的厚度，减少应力集中和偏置焊缝，同时优化安全系数和强度重量比，实现了TRUE-TAPER XR的线性锥度，并缩短了其长度。通过此项油管设计增强，CT横向弦重分布更精确的，操作人员可以在长水平段应用中保持更高的CT性能水平，同时满足严格的重量要求。在早期项目中，TRUE-TAPER XR的设计允许客户将锥形结构降低50%，此外，锥形端的总平均长度减少了近65%。
降本30%的水下系统
GE子公司贝克休斯近日发布了一款海洋油气开发新方法-Subsea Connect，其中包括Aptara TOTEX-lite海底系统。Aptara是一套全新的轻型模块化技术，专为该海洋油气开发领域的整个生命周期而设计。通过将开发规划和风险管理、新模块化深水技术、创新合作伙伴关系和数字工具整合到单一产品中，Subsea Connect可以将海底项目的成本投入平均降低30％，并有可能再解锁16 Bbbl 的全球油气储备。
新型测井技术 提高作业安全性
斯伦贝谢发布了Concert现场测试技术，该公司表示，Concert为油井测试提供实时地面和井下测量、数据分析和协作功能。在Concert性能系统中，所有测试数据都通过可穿戴技术、无线传感器和摄像机进行数字集成。强大的软件驱动功能可在客户指定的任何地方访问Web仪表板，独立操作团队也可以查看相同的数据。在哈萨克斯坦，沙特阿拉伯和澳大利亚对Concert测试技术进行了大量的应用测试。在澳大利亚，这项新技术被用于测试大型海上凝析气田的第一口开发井。Concert出色的性能为超高流速井管理带来了新的效率，自动化实时数据收集和通信使协作分析加速了操作人员对测试的理解，同时显着减少所需的作业人员。
电子遥控机器人降低操作成本
近日，Subsea Technologies最新推出了电子遥控机器人（eROV）–XLe Spirit，能够有效推动海底作业成本的降低。最近推出的XLe Spirit是业内第一款利用Forum集成控制引擎的观察级ROV，它可以提供通常只存在于大型工作级辆中的更多功能。该公司称，与当前市场上其他ROV相比，所有Forum XLe设备都配备了先进的控制电子吊舱，具有卓越的连接和扩展能力。以太网接口允许使用通用IP架构与其他行业的传感器无缝集成，易于远程数据传输。XLe Spirit具有多种功能，可最大限度地提高其作为传感器平台的稳定性，包括可调节的推进功率，优化的推进器方向和位置，精确的推进器速度控制以及用于定位和飞行的各种自动功能。
新型压裂桥塞提高完井效率
Packers Plus最新的推出的压裂桥塞套件能够为开发商提供更高效的封堵-射孔系统。该公司表示，TREX水泥产品系列现在提供复合材料和可降解插头，可改善其应用性能并减少/消除磨铣操作，节省时间并降低风险。压裂插头套件包括Lightning复合桥塞，LightningPLUS复合桥塞和LightningBOLT可降解桥塞。Lightning桥塞具有复合材料和铸铁卡瓦的组合，而LightningPLUS则具有完整的复合材料卡瓦。这两个桥塞的长度都很短，可实现快速部署和快速磨铣操作。LightningBOLT可降解桥塞采用专有材料设计，可保证最佳的降解时间，最大限度地减少井筒中残留的碎屑。该桥塞的额定工作压力可达10000 psi，可在高达149℃的条件下使用。每个桥塞都与一个密封球配对，以提供区域隔离。目前，在北美地区安装了该系统桥塞2300多个，开发商通过使用更短的桥塞和复合材料卡瓦，实现了更快的磨铣操作。
新技术提高油气采收率
Tendeka推出了一项新技术–FloFuse，能够优化油气开采，并协助解决裂缝性油藏有效注水问题。据悉，FloFuse通过改善裂缝性油藏注入水的一致性，或确保增产酸性基质的有效配置来提高采收率。当安装在分段井筒时，FloFuse自动防止无效区或大型裂缝中的注入（这些大型裂缝将吸收大部分注入液体），进而确保岩石基质或裂缝结构的有效注入。这可以防止地下水过早进入井筒，从而提高总采收率并减少采出水量。通过以预定的流速触发，FloFuse减少了无效的处理区域。此外，对于油藏渗透率逐渐下降的油藏，阀门的动态和可逆操作使其更加适用。例如，可利用其进行热裂缝注水或使用基质增产，改善近井筒渗透率。与传统的注水管理技术不同，Flo-Fuse设备易于在水平井和高温环境中运行，并且具有更长的预期寿命和更低的维护需求。
新型流体机械app 提供计算结果
近日，Trelleborg Sealing Solutions发布了新型流体力学计算器应用程序（app），该app涵盖了流体力学领域的各种主题，可作为流体相关系统的分析、设计、维护和操作参考。该应用程序可提供不同流体力学方程的计算结果，领域涵盖了土木、结构、管道流动和一般工程。包含的流体力学计算器具有130多个公式和360多个不同的计算方式，它能够提供快速方便的计算，同时支持单位转换。目前，该app可以在iTunes或Google Play中免费下载。Trelleborg数字业务开发总监Claude Kornelis说：“流体力学计算器旨在支持流体科研人员，无论是学生、工程师、分析师还是研究人员，无论他们从事汽车、航空航天、生物技术、流体动力、采矿业或是海洋、石油和天然气工业。该app适用于任何参与流体力学的人，而不仅仅是特定的工作人员，它将使工程师的工作生活更轻松，无论是在办公室还是在旅途中，可以24/7的工作，非常方便。”
新型油田水智能管理平台
根据2018年12月发布的产品公告，Sourcewater不再仅仅是一个水服务公司，该公司于2018年11月从Genscape手中收购了Digital H2O水资产情报服务，并推出了一个全新的综合油田水利用和处理智能平台，主要服务于上游能源行业，该平台拥有先进的水资源科学储备。此外，Sourcewater收集了独家市场信息、每周卫星图像、状态监管文件以及每天数千名水市场参与者的研究电话。 然后，该公司对所有这些数据进行质量和数据科学研究，并将结果放入一个快速易用的在线数字地图中。通过收购Digital H2O，Sourcewater现在能够显示每个运营商每个月向每个德克萨斯州处理场的输水情况，包括他们发送多少水，每个租赁水订单的生产量，以及每个盐水处理井的利用率和压力趋势等，这将进一步帮助油气开发商提高水利用效率，降低作业成本。
New CT string design allows shorter taper sections
National Oilwell Varco (NOV) announced the commercial availability of TRUE-TAPER XR, a new coiled tubing (CT) string design optimization that allows shorter taper sections to achieve better results for CT operators working in extended-reach applications, the company said. The TRUE-TAPER XR achieves a linear taper by gradually varying the thickness of the flat steel strip, reducing stress concentrations and bias welds while optimizing safety factors and strength-to-weight ratio. The string design enhancement has more precise string-weight distribution in the lateral, which allows operators to maintain higher performance levels with longer strings while meeting stricter weight requirements. In an early project, a TRUE-TAPER XR string design allowed a customer to reduce the number of tapered sections in its string from four to two; additionally, the total average length of the tapers was reduced by almost 65%.
Subsea system lowers costs by 30%
Baker Hughes, a GE company, has released its new approach to subsea development: Subsea Connect, including its Aptara TOTEX-lite subsea system, a suite of new lightweight, modular technologies designed for the full life of the field, a press release stated. By combining planning and risk management, new modular deepwater technology, innovative partnerships and digital tools into a single offering, Subsea Connect can reduce the economic development point of subsea projects by an average of 30% and has the potential to unlock an additional 16 Bbbl of reserves globally.
New well testing technology delivers actionable information for safer operations
Schlumberger has released its Concert well testing live performance technology. Concert brings real-time surface and downhole measurements, data analysis and collaboration capabilities to well testing, according to a company press release. In the Concert performance ecosystem, all well test data are digitally integrated via wearable technology, wireless sensors and video cameras. Robust software drives web dashboards, accessible anywhere customers specify, with separate teams able to view the same data. Extensive testing of the Concert performance technology has been conducted in Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia and Australia. The new technology was used in testing the first development wells of a major offshore gas condensate field in Australia. Concert performance introduced new efficiencies to managing the testing spread required for the ultrahigh flow-rate wells. The automated real-time data collection and communication enabled collaborative analysis that accelerated the understanding of the testing operation while significantly reducing the personnel required.
New eROV offers savings for operators
Forum Subsea Technologies’ latest electric ROV (eROV) addition is driving cost efficiencies for the subsea sector, a press release stated. The recently launched XLe Spirit is the first observation-class ROV to utilize Forum’s Integrated Control Engine to bring greater functionality only commonly found in larger work class vehicles. The advanced control electronics pod fitted to all Forum XLe observation class vehicles enables superior connectivity and expansion capabilities when compared with other ROVs on the market, according to the company. Ethernet interfacing allows seamless integration with other industry sensors using common IP architecture and ease of remote data transfer. The XLe Spirit incorporates several features to maximize its stability for use as a sensor platform, including regulated propulsion power, optimized thruster orientation and location, accurate thruster speed control, and a wide range of auto-functions for positioning and flying.
Frac plugs increase efficiency in cemented completions
Packers Plus Energy Services Inc.’s latest suite of frac plugs is providing operators with higher efficiency plugand- perf systems worldwide. The TREX cemented product line now offers composite and degradable plugs to improve deployment and reduce/eliminate mill-out operations, saving time and reducing risk, a press release stated. The suite of frac plugs includes Lightning Composite Plug, LightningPLUS Composite Plug and LightningBOLT Degradable Plug. The Lightning plug has a combination of composite and cast-iron slips, while the LightningPLUS has full composite slips. Both plugs have a short length that enables fast deployment and quick mill-out operations. The LightningBOLT degradable plug is designed with proprietary material and provides optimal degradation times to minimize debris left in the wellbore. The plugs are rated up to 10,000 psi differential and can be run in conditions up to 149 C (300 F). Each plug is paired with a ball to provide zonal isolation. With more than 2,300 installed in North America, operators are seeing faster mill-out operations from a shorter plug design and composite slips.
New technology boosts oil recovery
Tendeka has launched a new technology to optimize oil production and assist with the challenges of effective water injection in fractured reservoirs. FloFuse can increase oil recovery by improving injected water conformance in fractured reservoirs or by ensuring the effective placement of matrix stimulation acids, according to a press release. When installed across a segmented wellbore, FloFuse autonomously chokes back injection into thief zones or large fractures that dominate the outflow profile and ensures effective injection into the rock matrix or fracture structure. This prevents early water breakthrough into production wells, thereby increasing total oil recovery and reducing water production. By triggering at a predetermined flow rate, it reduces the outflow area in the completion compartment. Furthermore, the dynamic and reversible operation of the valve makes it suitable for applications where the permeability contrasts change over time, such as in thermally fractured water injection wells and where matrix stimulation is used to improve near-wellbore permeability. Unlike conventional waterflood management technologies, Flo- Fuse devices are easy to run in horizontal wells and highrate environments and have a longer life expectancy with less need for maintenance.
New fluid mechanics app provides calculation of results
Trelleborg Sealing Solutions has released its Fluid Mechanics Calculator App. The new app covers a wide variety of topics in the field of fluid mechanics and serves as a reference for the analysis, design, maintenance and operation of fluid-related systems, a product announcement stated. The app provides results for different fluid mechanics equations, including those used in civil, structural, pipe flow and general engineering. The Fluid Mechanics Calculator has more than 130 formulas and 360-plus different calculations. It provides fast and convenient calculation of results along with unit conversion support. The app can be downloaded for free in iTunes or Google Play. Claude Kornelis, director digital business development at Trelleborg Sealing Solutions, said, “The Fluid Mechanics Calculator is designed to support fluid thinkers, whether they are students, engineers, analysts or researchers, working in the automotive, aerospace, biotechnology, fluid power, mining, marine or oil and gas industries. It’s for anyone involved in fluid mechanics, not just those specifying seals, and is aimed at making the working lives of engineers easier, whether at their desks or on the go, 24/7.” tss.
New oilfield water intelligence platform
Sourcewater is no longer just a water marketplace, according to a product announcement released in December 2018. Sourcewater acquired the Digital H2O Water Asset Intelligence service from Genscape in November and launched an all-new integrated oilfield water and disposal intelligence platform serving the upstream energy industry with advanced water data science. Sourcewater gathers intel from its exclusive marketplace, weekly satellite imagery, terabytes of state regulatory files and from daily outbound market research calls to thousands of water market players. Then the company runs quality assurance and data science on all of these data and puts the results in a fast, easy-to-use online digital map. With its acquisition of Digital H2O, Sourcewater now shows which operator leases send water to each Texas disposal each month, how much water they send, water production for every lease, and utilization and pressure trends for every saltwater disposal well.