Operators want maximum recovery, control and safety for the life of their reservoirs, all while under pressure to reduce costs. Methods to monitor reservoir performance without shutting in the well, and the drive to optimize reservoir performance is more critical than ever before.
Not big data — the right data
Too often, operators pay a lot for inaccurate data that is gathered periodically and by halting production. The LinX monitoring system enables you to capture accurate data without halting production.
Until now. The LinX monitoring system is a step change in reservoir monitoring enabled by wireless through-casing power and communication. With the LinX system, sensors are permanently placed behind the well barriers – right where they need to be – monitoring without compromising well integrity or changing the well design, and without major revisions to the drilling program.
The LinX monitoring system provides real-time reservoir and well integrity monitoring in subsea wells without the need to halt production.
The LinX monitoring system is a wireless through-wellbore technology that enables the placement of a permanent pressure/temperature gauge behind the production casing in Annulus-B. The system uses electromagnetic power and communication to drive and communicate with sensors without the need for batteries or extra barrier penetrations. Using permanent, behind-casing sensors and an inductive coupler to monitor B-Annulus and the reservoir in real time, the LinX system provides continuous data on well integrity and pressures even during injections.
Behind casing reservoir monitoring
The LinX system senses any pressure/temperature fluctuations in the formation. This enables the operator to detect pressure changes, while producing or injecting, in:
» Overburden
» Caprock
» Reservoir
» Cement
This newly gained knowledge yields significant benefits. Production increases, reduced drilling cost drives down CAPEX, and fewer integrity verification programs lowers OPEX, all while helping ensure safe operation of the well and reducing the risk of costly non-productive time.
B-ANNULUS PRESSURE/TEMPERATURE MONITORING
Operators are increasingly under pressure to reduce costs while maximizing the safety and control of their wellbores. Optimizing the initial casing design and subsequently monitoring wellbore integrity over a well’s lifetime are more critical than ever before.
The ability to continuously monitor for leaks and operator-induced pressures behind casing has not been possible on subsea wells. Well integrity is verified periodically at the expense of production, and casing designs have costly safety factors. When barrier integrity is compromised, costly workovers or plug and abandonment (P&A) may be the only alternatives.
Why B-Annulus Monitoring?
Today’s subsea wells have enclosed volume in the B-Annulus, which is prone to operator-induced pressure buildup. Many of today’s subsea wells make use of the A-annulus for gas injection, moving the barrier from the A- to the B-annulus. This makes managing the pressure integrity of the wellhead more complex since the B-annulus on subsea wells is sealed off at the wellhead. The system picks up any pressure/ temperature fluctuations, enabling the operator to detect pressure buildups while producing. This new knowledge drives revenue up, while less costly casing programs drive CAPEX down, thus helping ensure safe operation of the well and reducing the risk of costly interventions and non-productive time.
How it works
LinX system monitoring is a three-step process powered by electromagnetic currents powering quartz pressure and temperature (P/T) gauge sensors.
1.One sensor and coil are fitted on the casing or liner using a custom casing pup.
2.Another sensor and coil are fitted on the tubing using a custom tubing joint. The tubing-conveyed sensor is then connected to surface via a traditional downhole cable.
3.Using the two coils, electromagnetism powers and communicates with the casing-conveyed sensor.
The electromagnetic transfer of power, does not have the limitations of batteries, enabling unlimited transfer of data over the life of the well as needed for permanent monitoring.
Real-Time Monitoring
Well and cement integrity
B-Annulus pressure in subsea tension-leg platform wells
Overburden pressure regimes
Caprock pressure and temperature
Injection pressures on the formation
In-situ reservoir pressures
Pore pressure over the life of the well
Barrier integrity between isolated zones
Key Benefits
Accurate well and reservoir data
Customizable to any well design: single- and multi-zone; intelligent; standard; subsea; dry tree
Real-time barrier and in-situ reservoir status
Reservoir and integrity monitoring via pressures and temperatures from caprock to cement
No need for periodic integrity tests — reducing cost, risk, and deferred production
Less need to compensate for insecurity with costly drilling programs
Compatibility with Halliburton ROC™ downhole gauges and cable