New products and services

Well planning, drilling software solution available via public cloud

Paradigm has announced the availability of Sysdrill, its well planning and drilling engineering solution, on the Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud. Sysdrill enhances well planning accuracy, and reduces drilling risk and uncertainty. Its deployment on the AWS cloud ensures that solution users will benefit from rapid provisioning, simplified management and lower costs. With AWS, users can reduce overall IT costs, stay focused on applications for vital projects, and meet demands for scalability. Paradigm will provide multiple levels of support for Sysdrill on the AWS cloud, enabling customers to select their required level of management control. The system has been tested fully and validated for use on AWS, and Paradigm provides reference architectures and sizing guidelines to ensure that customers can deploy it successfully within their own AWS environments. Paradigm also provides the Deployed Instance option, through which the company installs and fully configures the system for immediate customer use.

Simulator develops operator skills on drilling equipment

Atlas Copco is launching a new surface crawler simulator for operator training: the SmartROC T operator simulator. The training tool is intended to develop operator skills. The simulator uses the original controls identical to those on the drilling equipment, providing students with a realistic training environment. The advanced control system is also integrated into the simulator, giving students the opportunity to use all the features of the actual drilling equipment. The simulator has a pre-designed learning pass to give students step-by-step instructions on operational best practices. The simulator is mounted on a motion platform for a realistic experience. 

Simple-to-use digital pressure gauge introduced

Winters Instruments’ DPG Digital Pressure Gauge was designed with stainless steel wetted parts, including a 316L welded diaphragm. A simple, two-button interface controls the gauge power and backlight, and allows the user to select one of five units of measurement. A standard rubber boot protects the case from external knocks. The company says the DPG is ideal for commercial and industrial applications, in both general purpose and test measurement installations. The gauge comes with the company’s five-year warranty. 

Alternative top-hole clean-up solution

Marin Aurora, a downhole solution specialist, is now providing a unique, environmentally friendly solution for top-hole clean-up. Using Marin’s EVO Jetprop technology, top-hole clays that are difficult to handle in an overburden state can be removed effectively from wellheads and templates. The Marin Aurora clearance system is an alternative to traditional, riserless mud recovery (RMR), and delivers improved safety and significant cost reductions, while minimizing environmental impact. Marin’s technology is driven by raw seawater, removing any depth limitations, where cables, hose and electric umbilicals are required to power cumbersome top-hole pumps. 

OPC server with driver enhancements, added support

Kepware Technologies, a software development company focused on communications for automation, has released KEPServerEX version 5.14. The latest iteration of the company’s proprietary communications platform addresses evolving needs related to data storage, accessibility and compliance across the oil and gas industry. KEPServerEX version 5.14 now supports liquid electronic flow measurement (EFM) data for several drivers and plug-ins in the company’s EFM Suite, including existing Fisher ROC+ and OMNI Flow Computer drivers, as well as the EFM Exporter. The EFM Exporter has been engineered to export data to Flow-Cal as liquid CFX files. This version also features performance improvements to the Allen-Bradley ControlLogix Ethernet Driver, designed to take advantage of larger packet sizes allowed in v20 ControlLogix Controllers and higher.

Standardized shaker screens provide drilling improvements

Weatherford has undertaken a systematic process of standardizing shale shaker screen procurement and use, which aims to take much of the variability out of screen performance, and intends to maximize drilling efficiency in the process. The company’s standardization process focuses on testing each shaker screen in rigorous laboratory evaluations, to verify performance prior to field deployment. Through this, variability had been reduced significantly, as have been the risks of inconsistent product quality, early failures and supply restrictions. The Weatherford Shale Shaker Screen has brought about improvements in screening capability, while reducing drilling mud contamination. Screen users have seen increased penetration rates, in addition to decreases in mud costs, water requirements, environmental impact, system pressure losses, and torque and drag. 

Online store offers products, class registration

Baker Hughes Incorporated has launched ShopBakerHughes.com, an online store offering more than 200 of the company’s high-quality products. The site will allow customers to purchase select products online—24 hr a day, seven days a week—and provides instant shipping and tax estimates, as well as credit card checkout. Ideal for smaller operators, the site offers a selection of drill bits, composite plugs, certain setting tools and completions parts, as well as registration for Baker Hughes’ TotalDepth training classes.

Degradable alloy technology optimizes well productivity

Schlumberger has introduced the ELEMENTAL degradable alloy balls for multi-stage stimulation treatments. The technology demonstrates predictable, complete degradation of the alloy balls, ensuring maximum well productivity. The alloy balls degrade predictably in a wide range of downhole conditions, well depths, temperatures, pressures and well fluids. Controlled degradation takes place, without the need for chemical additives, low pH environment, retrieval operations or milling after fracturing. The ELEMENTAL degradable alloy technology can be used with Schlumberger multi-stage stimulation systems. The technology has been deployed with the Falcon multi-stage stimulation system for uncemented wells in formations representing a significant challenge to degradation times, such as Gold Creek, Slave Point, Glauconite, Cardium, Montney and Lower Montney, with bottomhole temperatures as low as 86°F. The technology has also been used in the Bakken, where formation temperatures are around 260°F.

www.slb.com/elemental