
An Aberdeen-based downhole technology specialist has developed a new technique to install fibre-optic data cables in oil well drills – both from new and for retro-fitting.
The fibre-line system offers a new approach to well intervention and combines several innovative concepts, from technologies out with the energy sector, in a single package.
An integral part of the testing was to perform acoustic sensing surveys across the installed fibre optic line. This demonstrates that the acquisition of quality data from oil and gas wells can be performed in a very cost effective and low risk manner.
After a period of intense development by Well-SENSE, the system has exceeded developer expectations whilst undergoing rigorous testing and trials.
Set up in June last year with the backing of specialist investors – each selected for their oil well-completion and intervention experience – Well-SENSE designs engineering, bespoke, high end technologies.
Dan Purkis, the award-winning industry guru and Well-SENSE co-founder and technology director, explained: As a hugely simplified intervention method, our FibreLine Intervention technology.represents a radical advance in downhole tools for the industry – massively reducing cost and risk.
“We are positive that the technology will offer vast benefits to operators. Not least because it’s cost effective and disposable – allowing for it to be utilised on wells where other methods of installing fibre optics may have been deemed economically unviable.
Colin Smith, Chairman of Well-SENSE added: “We are are confident that FLI will make a big impact on the industry – allowing operators to understand and accurately diagnose issues in their wells will inevitably lead to an increase in production, improvements in well integrity and reductions in operating costs.
“Given the current climate, it’s never been more important for the industry to embrace developments like FLI, which can be rightly described as game changing.”