Decreasing Well Intervention Risk With Permanent Real-Time Monitoring

How permanent real-time downhole monitoring can reduce HSE risk and intervention costs, all while improving production and reservoir engineering workflows

Introduction

Technology and its application in the Oil and Gas industry constantly evolve, with advancements improving safety, efficiency, environmental impact, and financial outcomes. At GEO PSI, we are fortunate to be at the forefront of many of these technical advancements bringing new capabilities to companies around the world.

One significant challenge operators face is the presence of Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S). H2S is a highly toxic and corrosive gas that poses severe risks to both human health and infrastructure integrity.

In this post, we will explore the implementation of real-time permanent downhole monitoring to decrease HSE risk exposure and improve production and reservoir engineering workflow, all whilst reducing the life of well intervention costs.

Hydrogen Sulfide

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a colourless, flammable gas with a distinct rotten egg odour. It occurs naturally in oil and gas reservoirs and is produced to the surface during well production activity.

Exposure to even low concentrations of H2S can have severe health effects, ranging from respiratory issues to loss of consciousness and, in extreme cases, death. Additionally, H2S is notorious for corroding metal components, leading to equipment failure and increased maintenance costs. Where possible, H2S exposure to equipment and personnel should be limited.

Reservoir Surveillance

Downhole monitoring involves the deployment of specialty gauges into production wells to measure bottom hole pressure and temperature.

Typically, two distinct aggregate technology platforms are utilized: slickline deployed semi-permanent memory-based or tubing/casing deployed permanent real-time systems. For the sake of our comparison, we will be looking at the differences between a tubing deployed GEOTRU gauge system featuring our most robust and durable monitoring solution with IECEx Intrinsically Safe certification, and how it compares to a slickline deployed memory gauge deployment. The table below highlights some of the key differences between each deployment type.

The Problem

The problem statement is quite clear. In high H2S wells, we should always focus on decreasing the intervention risk and life of well cost while increasing the quality of actionable data that technical teams use in their production and reservoir engineering workflows.

Energy companies need to ensure they mitigate risks to workers’ health, safety, and the environment. And they need to do it all while driving the efficiency of their operations.

The Solution

Implementing the right procedures and technology enables energy companies to do just that. Adopting high-quality, real-time monitoring solutions deployed at the time of completion operations decreases the life of well intervention risk as well as cost.

Traditionally, operator concerns and skepticism have driven lower adoption rates of real-time monitoring solutions. However, developing new and innovative downhole monitoring solutions like our groundbreaking GEOTRU gauges has dramatically increased operator adoption, presenting itself as the clear choice to mitigate risk, reduce costs, and drive performance.

GEOTRU Gauges

Electronics Free Real-Time Monitoring

Temperature, vibration, and time in situ are typically the main factors determining digital downhole monitoring success. As reservoir temperature and completion vibration increase, so does the stress applied to electrical components. The longer these components experience stress, the more likely they will fail.

Our groundbreaking GEOTRU gauges are an innovative electronic free downhole monitoring solution that delivers exceptional long-term performance. GEOTRU differs from traditional electronic downhole gauges because they are truly electronic-free. Our GEOTRU systems do all electronic processing at the surface, which means there is no requirement for PCBs and sensitive electronics downhole. Our GEOTRU gauges are available in variants up to 300°C, where the downhole TEC drives the temperature limitation, not the downhole gauge itself.

Figure 1: GEOTRU Electronics-Free Gauge vs. Traditional Digital Gauge

GEOTRU solves many of the troubling limitations associated with traditional monitoring solutions.

Suitable for high-temperature environments up to 300°C
Immune to high-vibration environments
Intrinsic safe certified – IECEx Ex ia IIA T1-T4 ga
Delivers high frequency, high-quality data directly from the point of installation
Set and forget installation with no requirement for ongoing consumable or maintenance costs
Exhibits stronger immunity to electrical noise than traditional electronic-based solutions

Conclusion

Adopting data acquisition monitoring solutions should always include a life of well intervention cost analysis and risk assessment. Innovative, successful, cost-effective downhole monitoring solutions like our exclusive GEOTRU gauges are available, improving team workflow and decreasing operational risk and intervention costs.

To learn more about the incredible value or permanent real-time downhole monitoring reach out to our team by visiting the link below!

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