Well-SENSE completes first round of offshore FLI projects using fibre optic tech
Downhole technology sensing solutions provider Well-SENSE has successfully completed the first round of commercial offshore FiberLine Intervention (FLI) projects, proving efficiency gains and the acquisition of high-quality downhole data.
Over a period of six months, Well-SENSE has carried out multiple offshore FLI projects for a number of oil and gas supermajors. These included distributed temperature sensing (DTS) surveys for flow profiling on two unmanned gas lift wells in Malaysia, as well as a selection of leak detection surveys, capture DTS and distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) data, to determine leak points in producing wells in the North Sea.
The technology’s unique bare fibre deployment provided a range of measured downhole data to the operators in a quarter of the time it would take using conventional methods. On average, operations took around three hours, compared to the usual 12-14 hours for wireline logging.
During the flow profiling project offshore Malaysia, FLI delivered additional well insights including the optimal temperature of the producing well, the location of water ingress and the flow performance of each gas injection valve, allowing the operator to consider new production optimisation options for the two wells.
Capturing both DTS and DAS data during the leak detection projects allowed the operators to verify well integrity or identify leak points and paths, and plan any remediation work.
How does the technology work?
FLI technology uses a small, compact probe to install bare optical fibre along the whole well to gather instant, distributed data from each location. It does not rely on wireline, slickline or coiled tubing for deployment, allowing faster mobilisation and reducing the well site footprint, personnel on site and intervention cost.
Its lightweight, portable nature allows operators to acquire data for diagnostic and monitoring purposes more readily, particularly in challenging offshore locations. Only one engineer is required to transport and operate FLI, removing the need for a well intervention vessel.
“FLI’s fibre optic technology is a game-changer in downhole well surveillance, delivering substantial safety and time efficiencies when compared to conventional methods,” commented Craig Feherty, CEO of Well-SENSE. “The results of our first round of offshore deployments demonstrates just how significant our FLI technology is in delivering quality well data quickly and efficiently in this environment. These projects mark a significant milestone for Well-SENSE as we look to expand offshore applications globally.”
Over a period of six months, Well-SENSE has carried out multiple offshore FLI projects for a number of oil and gas supermajors. These included distributed temperature sensing (DTS) surveys for flow profiling on two unmanned gas lift wells in Malaysia, as well as a selection of leak detection surveys, capture DTS and distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) data, to determine leak points in producing wells in the North Sea.
The technology’s unique bare fibre deployment provided a range of measured downhole data to the operators in a quarter of the time it would take using conventional methods. On average, operations took around three hours, compared to the usual 12-14 hours for wireline logging.
During the flow profiling project offshore Malaysia, FLI delivered additional well insights including the optimal temperature of the producing well, the location of water ingress and the flow performance of each gas injection valve, allowing the operator to consider new production optimisation options for the two wells.
Capturing both DTS and DAS data during the leak detection projects allowed the operators to verify well integrity or identify leak points and paths, and plan any remediation work.
How does the technology work?
FLI technology uses a small, compact probe to install bare optical fibre along the whole well to gather instant, distributed data from each location. It does not rely on wireline, slickline or coiled tubing for deployment, allowing faster mobilisation and reducing the well site footprint, personnel on site and intervention cost.
Its lightweight, portable nature allows operators to acquire data for diagnostic and monitoring purposes more readily, particularly in challenging offshore locations. Only one engineer is required to transport and operate FLI, removing the need for a well intervention vessel.
“FLI’s fibre optic technology is a game-changer in downhole well surveillance, delivering substantial safety and time efficiencies when compared to conventional methods,” commented Craig Feherty, CEO of Well-SENSE. “The results of our first round of offshore deployments demonstrates just how significant our FLI technology is in delivering quality well data quickly and efficiently in this environment. These projects mark a significant milestone for Well-SENSE as we look to expand offshore applications globally.”
