Business news for the week of 4 April 2011 News section front Past news briefs Seismic crew survey reports

Schlumberger launches new wireless downhole reservoir testing system

28 March 2011—Schlumberger announced the release of its new EnACT wireless downhole reservoir testing system for land operations. With this latest downhole testing system, operators can optimize reservoir tests by detecting changes in bottomhole conditions and adjusting test designs in real time.

Two-way communication between surface and downhole tools permits the control of downhole tools and the transmission of bottomhole pressure and temperature data to the surface. Data streamed from the reservoir to the surface, combined with the surface data, can be transmitted to a company's operation center and asset team.

The centerpiece of the downhole wireless system is the hub, which contains four independent quartz gauges that provide redundancy and safeguard data capture. The EnACT system has been designed to use the hub with one or more repeaters to extend depth range.

During field testing, the EnACT system proved successful in a variety of conditions in the Middle East and North Africa and direct wireless data transmission was achieved with the hub deployed as deep as 11,200 ft.

 

TGS announces major offshore Faroe 2D reprocessing

29 March 2011—TGS announces that it will conduct extensive reprocessing of over 13,550 km of 2D multiclient seismic data located in waters off the Faroe Islands. This project, designated Offshore Faroe Reprocessing 2011, will extend to the UK/ Faroe border.

The data for the reprocessing has been made available by Faroese Earth and Energy Directorate (Jardfeingi). TGS will apply advanced processing techniques proven to have been successful in illuminating sub-basalt plays in the West of Shetland region over the last two years.

Data from the project will be available for clients in late 2011. This project is supported by industry funding.

 

Multiple point simulation module integrated in Paradigm SKUA

29 March 2011—Paradigm has integrated the 3D multiple-point statistics simulation module based on Ephesia's IMPALA algorithm in the latest version of Paradigm SKUA. This module complements the large selection of geostatistical and analytical capabilities of the SKUA Reservoir Module, and leverages the uncompromising, stratigraphically-consistent geological grids made possible by the patented UVT transform. Some of the key benefits of this new-generation facies modeling solution include:

• Enhanced memory usage
• Performance enhancements through the efficient use of multiple processors
• Direct operations on Paradigm's SKUA grids for more accurate facies modeling

SKUA with IMPALA's multiple point simulation enables a reliable and accurate description of the subsurface. Both technologies take advantage of the multicore processing units available on today's Window of Linux desktops. Paradigm also offers various tools to facilitate the construction of training images derived from 3D conceptual models, satellite images, seismic data, or stochastically simulated object-based models.

 

Edax introduces Team Eds 2.0 analysis system

29 March 2011—EDAX introduces the TEAM Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) 2.0 Analysis System–the next generation of its industry-leading analysis systems for electron microscopes. TEAM EDS 2.0 includes new features, which provide intuitive and easy-to-use analytical software.

The TEAM EDS 2.0 Analysis System includes enhancements that streamline analysis and reporting workflow, boosting user productivity, reducing analysis time, and minimizing potential for errors. A new dynamic review feature allows users to easily compare and review multiple maps simultaneously. Analytical processing capabilities also have been improved with new Quant maps and a histogram tool to extract spectra from the area of interest. TEAM EDS also includes Smart Pileup Correction to handle up to 120,000 counts per second, optimized for Silicon Drift Detectors.

TEAM EDS 2.0 offers binning options in the maximum channel spectrum feature, a customized line scan for desired length and width, additional image palettes, and a screen capture feature that stores the desired result with one simple click.

 

CGGVeritas offers geophysical and geological data sets to support the Syrian international offshore 2011 bid round

31 March 2011—The Syrian Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources along with the General Petroleum Corporation (GPC) announced on 24 March 2011 the opening of the International Offshore Bid Round 2011 and will be inviting interested oil and gas exploration companies to participate. CGGVeritas, as part of an exclusive contract with the Ministry and GPC, is providing the technical support for the bid round. CGGVeritas will cohost roadshow events and data reviews with the round organizers in Damascus, London and Geneva for companies interested in the official available technical data covering the entire Offshore Syria area.

Central to this project is 5000 km of long-offset multiclient 2D seismic data acquired by CGGVeritas in 2005 in water depths ranging from 500 to 1700 m. A minimum of 3000 km of this data must be licensed by each oil company interested in bidding in this round.

In addition to the original survey data, CGGVeritas is offering an interpretation package, gravity data, seep data, and a reprocessed seismic data set, currently in production.

 

Interactive Network Technologies announces availability of GeoToolkit.NET 3.1

31 March 2011—Developed for data visualization in upstream Oil and Gas, GeoToolkit.NET is a package of C# libraries including support for specialized seismic, contour, welllog, and well schematic displays. GeoToolkit.NET also provides cutting-edge features such as multilanguage support, simplified Web support, and sophisticated vector object handling. GeoToolkit components speed up software development, promote reusability and consistency across applications, and allow developers to focus on their core technologies rather than spend time writing data displays.

• Some highlights for this new release include:
• Display well logs in time or depth in WellLog.NET
• Added support for deviated log displays in WellLog.NET
• Enhancements to Chart.NET libraries, including new Tornado and BoxPlot charts.
• Improved smoothing of isolines, isofills, and placement of labels in Contour.NET
• Support for completion components that belong to an entire subsurface completion in WellSchematic.NET
• New labeling strategies for optimal layout of labels and better collision avoidance

 

SMT announces an expansion of its service and training organization

31 March 2011—Seismic Micro-Technology (SMT) announced an expansion of its service and training organization. The organization will enhance customer productivity through newly updated data and systems services, onsite services, consulting as well as augmented global training. These services are available now through SMT's seven global offices.

The data and systems services solution includes KINGDOM installation, connectivity into third-party solutions, data migration and platform conversion, data loading, geoscience environment optimization, and project repair. The onsite services solution is a flexible new offering that enables SMT customers to have direct access to trained geotechnical experts to help manage KINGDOM and mentor users, right on the customer's premises. Customers are able to hire these resources on a full time basis over months or years, or they are able to use resources for a few days a week. Finally, consulting services offered by SMT will allow users to save time by using KINGDOM geoscience experts to perform specialized tasks such as attribute analysis or bid round field assessments.

As part of the expansion, KINGDOM training classes will be available in over 20 nations this year. In addition, standard training classes have been updated and a new type of class focused on geoscience workflow best practices for unconventional resource exploitation has been added to the curriculum. Customers who need on-site mentoring are now able to schedule training and services at their facility, on short-term or in extended multi-year engagements.

 

TGS announces management change

31 March 2011—TGS announces that David Hicks has resigned his role of senior vice president of Africa Middle East and Far East to pursue other opportunities. His resignation is effective from 15 April 2011.

 

TGS commences extensive 2D reprocessing project in Northern Makassar Strait, Indonesia

31 March 2011—TGS has commenced an extensive multiphase reprocessing program of 2D seismic data in the Makassar Strait, Indonesia. The first phase consists of 2700 km of seismic data in the Northern Mahakam Delta. The original and reprocessed data support the exploration potential of the deepwater area of the delta. Interpretation of the seismic data has demonstrated potential hydrocarbon prospectivity in the basin, resulting in the award of exploration acreage and the drilling of several exploration wells. Partial relinquishments of the exploration blocks have also recently created opportunities for new exploration in the area. The data will be reprocessed with customized techniques to enhance imaging of the main structures and reservoir targets in the basin. The reprocessed data is intended to enhance definition of direct hydrocarbon indicators and AVO anomalies associated with turbidite reservoirs seen on the original 2D seismic data. Data from this initial phase of reprocessing will be available for clients in late 2011. This project is supported by industry funding. 


 

EMGS to mobilize third crew

4 April 2011—Electromagnetic Geoservices ASA (EMGS) has entered into an agreement with North Sea Shipping to charter the vessel Atlantic Guardian for six months from 25 April 2011, with optional extensions of up to six months. EMGS will equip the Atlantic Guardian with its custom-designed acquisition set, which will give the vessel the ability to acquire the same high-quality 3D EM data as is obtained using the company's two purpose-built 3D EM vessels.

EMGS has secured nearly five months backlog, at an estimated value of US $20 million, for its third vessel. The Atlantic Guardian will start its campaign in the North Sea in early May before heading to the Americas to perform additional projects.