OGIC chief calls for N. Sea industry to match funding for new Well-Sense downhole concept

The Oil & Gas Innovation Centre (OGIC) is to support the development of a new concept for well intervention developed by Well-SENSE Technology Ltd, an Aberdeen based company which specialises in the development of downhole technology.

But the concept may not get off the ground unless industry backers come forward to pay for the the other half of the costs (which have not been provided)

Innovations in oil well intervention technology could achieve significant cost and efficiency savings, supporting maximising economic recovery in the the North Sea.

Well-SENSE’s new concept, FibreLine Intervention combines several novel concepts in a single technology package. The technology has received positive feedback from the industry and investment is required to move the project forward to full development.

FLI will give operators the ability to perform rapid-shot well investigation on a greater number of wells, resulting in opportunities for production enhancement and well integrity operations, whilst lowering cost and risk.

The project has been reviewed and unanimously approved by a specialist OGIC peer review panel. Robert Gordon University (RGU) has been selected to work with the company on developing the concept.

OGIC has committed 50% of the required funding for the work to be carried out by Robert Gordon University and Well-SENSE now seeks a 50% match commitment from industry.

Ian Phillips, Chief Executive of OGIC, said: “There has been a strong emphasis over the past 12 months regarding the need for collaboration, communication and innovation to secure the future of North Sea oil and gas.

“This project is a prime example of these things in action, and I’m delighted that OGIC is playing a role in such a revolutionary project.

Dan Purkis, technology director at Well-SENSE, said: “We are thrilled that FLI’s potential has been recognised by OGIC – its support will ensure we can move the concept forward to full development to benefit the entire industry.

“The scope for FLI applications is potentially so vast that, for FLI to make the biggest impact and rapidly progress, many companies will need to develop technology to complement it. Ultimately, FLI is a platform from which multiple new generations of increasingly sophisticated intervention tools can be launched and the opportunities are endless.”