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Vol. 228 No. 01 |
Compact, self-deploying drilling package
 National Oilwell Varco's new Rapid Rig is an efficient "singles" land rig delivering maximum speed, safety and performance in a compact, road-legal drilling package. Developed with a 250-ton hook load capacity for shallow to moderate well depths, the system's smaller size and self-deploying design allow for ease of transport and faster onsite rig-up. The fully automated rig floor, coupled with a new pipe handling system, reduces crew size and accident exposure while providing an efficient work environment. The Rapid Rig's compact components and AC-powered primary systems reduce environmental impact at the wellsite. Features include the TDS-10SA AC-powered top drive, which remains mounted in mast with block for transport, while keeping the drill line reeved in place. The AC drawworks is single-speed and gear-driven, with regenerative braking. ST-80 Iron Roughneck and stabbing guide creates an automated rig floor with maximum safety and efficiency. The modular mud system is engineered for optimal performance and highway transport without removing equipment. It features dual, low profile shale shakers.
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Corrosion protection for equipment storage
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INTERCEPT SPS wrap From Birchwood Casey creates a protective, corrosion-free zone for storing and shipping drilling
and processing equipment. The product has the unique ability to neutralize and remove
corrosive elements in the air around the enclosed parts without the use of chemicals, protecting them from corrosion for long periods.
Downhole valves, pumps, couplings and associated equipment are protected during ocean shipment and storage at the drill site. INTERCEPT SPS is a polyethylene film infused with metallic copper particles and activated carbon. Though non-hazardous, these materials neutralize and absorb corrosive elements inside the wrap through sacrificial galvanic action and absorption. Also, they are natural biocides that quickly kill any acid-producing bacteria, mold or fungus that may be present inside the wrap or in fingerprints. This creates a benign, protective zone. It produces no fumes, no outgassing of volatile organic compounds, and poses no danger of worker sensitivity or allergic reactions. The product has a proven storage life of over 20 years in normal warehouse conditions, providing both indoor and outdoor protection. It is effective on surfaces of all types, and is available in several forms: shrink film, stretch film, flat stock, pre-sized bags and large gusseted tote-bin-sized bags.
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Next-generation computing architecture
NVIDIA Corp. has introduced CUDA technology, a new architecture for computing on graphics processing units (GPUs), and the industry�s first C-compiler development environment for the GPU. This is a new approach to computing, where hundreds of on-chip processor cores simultaneously communicate and cooperate to solve complex computing problems up to 100 times faster than traditional approaches. This complete development environment provides tools to solve new problems in computation-intensive applications such as product design, data analysis, technical computing and game physics. Available on the GeForce 8800 graphics card and to be included with future Quadro Professional Graphics solutions, computing with CUDA transcends the limitations of traditional GPU stream computing by enabling GPU processor
cores to communicate, synchronize and share data. CUDA-enabled GPUs offer dedicated features for computing, including the parallel data cache, which allows 128, 1.35-GHz processor cores in newest-generation GPUs to cooperate with each other while performing intricate computations. CUDA-enabled applications use the GPU for fine-grained data-intensive processing, and the multi-core CPUs for complicated coarse grained tasks, such as control and data management.
Modeling/visualization software tool
Mechdyne Corp.�s VRCO software division released an immersive visualization
solution for use with Petrel software from Schlumberger. With Conduit graphics middleware for Petrel, oil and gas exploration geologists are able to easily and intuitively work with visualizations of subsurface data in virtual-reality mode using PC cluster
computer systems. Designed for PC environments, Petrel offers the ability to work on subsurface challenges from volumetric interpretation to reservoir simulation and well planning, and all work processes contribute to refining and developing the same volumetric earth model, static to dynamic. The addition of Conduit gives virtual reality
and advanced collaboration capabilities. Enterprise networking features supported in Conduit also allow collaboration and plug-and-play capability on large-scale displays anywhere in an organization�s IT environment. Conduit duplicates the flow of 3D data and commands to multiple PC graphics channels and pipelines. It produces the multiple graphics outputs needed by large-scale visualization systems, such as the PowerWall, and reconfigurable ones such as FLEX from Fakespace Systems, and the CAVE virtual environment. It also enables compatibility with virtual reality tools.
Microhydraulic jets
 AnTech Ltd introduced the next generation
of its Wellhead Outlet, upgraded to improve reliability and reduce delivery
times. The device is used to connect downhole cable to the surface telemetry system. It is typically used in permanent completions where pressure and temperature
are monitored. It can accept either
one or two conductors and can accommodate
most flanged connections. It is ATEX-certified for use in Zone 1 and 2 hazardous areas. Improvements were made to the system�s cablehead, a critical component that terminates the downhole cable and seals against downhole pressure. Reliability of the pressure bulkhead is improved, reducing the number of failures experienced during production testing. The length of time to manufacture the cablehead has been reduced.
Geomodeling software
Geomodeling Technology Corp. has released SBED 2006 Version 3, with enhanced bioturbation modeling and multi-phase upscaling. The software is used for identifying reservoir potential through small-scale heterogeneity modeling and flow-based upscaling. New features and enhancements also include net-to-gross calculation presented,
alongside geometry grid in 3-D view. Upscaling allows the user to visualize the larger effect of bioturbation on permeability and porosity of a submodel. Users can superimpose an unlimited number of bioturbation structures on any pre-existing bioturbation
submodel, which allow different petrophysical values to be assigned to different groups of bioturbation structures, resulting in a more accurate submodel. Net-to-gross (NTG) calculation is presented as text in the 3-D view window alongside the geometry grid. This allows the user to review the model and NTG without having to access each separately. Identifying the net sand in a model provides an accurate portrayal of rock type variability and NTG-free characterization.
Geological mapping in GIS
 Datastick Systems, Inc., introduced the VSA-1214 and VSA-1215 Vibration Spectrum Analyzers, its new-generation PDA-based vibration data collectors and analyzers for machine-condition monitoring, predictive maintenance and troubleshooting. The pocket-sized system includes the Vibration Spectrum Analyzer module attached to a Palm T|X handheld computer with Datastick Spectrum version 1.6 software. The latter collects vibration measurements, and displays and stores them as time waveforms and FFT spectra. The system also includes the new version 1.6 of Datastick Reporting
System (DRS) for VSA, which imports the data from the handheld into a Microsoft Excel-based application on a PC. The Datastick hardware module has a redesigned, low-noise analog input for standard ICP-type accelerometers and velocity sensors, optimized digital
circuitry, and built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery with power management circuitry. The VSA-1215 system displays and records overall vibration and ISO vibration severity alerts, as well as acceleration waveforms with a resolution of up to 6,400 points (3,200 points for the VSA-1214); and acceleration, velocity, or displacement spectra with up to 3,200 lines of FFT resolution (1,600 FFT for the VSA-1214). User-selectable maximum frequencies range from 20 KHz down to 50 Hz (10 KHz to 50 Hz for the VSA-1214). The software takes full advantage of the Palm T|X�s high-resolution full-color display
Corrosion-resistant liner
 DUOLINE 20, manufactured by DUOLINE Technologies, is a filament-wound glass-reinforced epoxy (GRE) liner that is installed on OCTG products in corrosive service. GRE lining is considered to be a more robust alternative to internal plastic coating. The product is an effective corrosion barrier, with a long history of tubular protection in a variety of offshore and land-based applications. Uses include: high working temperatures (250�F); CO2/water injection and disposal; chemical disposal; and gas production.
Geological mapping in GIS
The SIGEOL Geological Information System is a new geological mapping program made up of a coherent set of tools and profession-specific databases developed by geologists for geologists. The software�s mapping feature enhances data representation to meet the requirements of the exploratory geologist. Operating on the TNTmips platform developed
by MicroImages, the software�s databases provide ready-to-use attributes for describing the geological objects and exploiting their characteristics, which cover stratigraphy, structural geology and petrography. Vectorial topology is used to study the spatial relationships between the geological surface objects, quantification and representation of their characteristic parameters in two or three dimensions. The software�s interpretation
and analysis tools include a structured GIS layer generator, geological photo-interpretation support, layer inclination and thickness calculation, input and style, and representation in roses diagrams, Wulff diagrams, and stratigraphic logs.
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