Probe | Cased Hole | Wireline | Logging | Evaluation | Monitoring | Oil Well Tools

Justin Galloway

Probe Chief Scientist Receives Distinguished Speaker Honor

HOUSTON – Probe is proud to announce that The Society of Petrophysicists and Well Log Analyst (SPWLA) have selected Jun Zhang, Probe Chief Scientist, as a Distinguished Speaker for the 2021-2022 series. Distinguished speakers were selected from the top papers submitted to SPWLA at the 62nd annual SPWLA Annual Symposium, hosted in Boston in May. These speakers are considered prominent contributors in the industry and the nomination is a coveted honor. Beginning August 30th, the Distinguished Speakers will actively participate in the SPWLA local chapters meetings and in the SPWLA monthly webinar program.

Zhang at the 2019 ICoTA Conference in Aberdeen, Scotland. Picture by Abermedia / Michal Wachucik

Zhang will be presenting the paper, “Case Studies on Multi-String Isolation Evaluation in P&A Operations.” The paper discusses the importance of cement sheath quality in plug and abandonment operations, as well in gas well decommissioning. Probe’s Multi-String Isolation Logging (MSIL) technology addresses the industry’s need to acquire data through multiple strings thus saving time and money by improving P&A efficiency.

“It is a true honor to be selected amongst the best papers submitted to SPWLA in 2021,” said Zhang. “This recognition is a testament to Probe’s technology leadership in well isolation logging.”

The paper presents various case histories of applying omnidirectional and segmented multi-string isolation evaluation technology in field trials in the North Sea.  

View the 2021-2022 Distinguished Speaker Series on the SPWLA website, click here.

Field-proven Electro-hydraulic Setting Tool Serves Well Intervention & Abandonment Operations

ABERDEEN, Scotland – The iSet™ Electro-hydraulic Setting Tool uses touchscreen technology to provide a safe, reliable way to set bridge plugs, packers, gauge hangers and straddles downhole.

When managing well intervention and abandonment operations, safety and reliability are top priorities, particularly when setting devices downhole.  Traditionally, this involves using explosive setting charges or hydrostatic pressure-activated devices. To perform in shallower wells hydrostatic assisted devices frequently require pressurized nitrogen modules to reach the requisite setting forces. Re-setting the tool between runs poses serious safety issues, as well as being time-consuming and costly.

But there’s good news. Probe has developed setting tool technology that resolves these issues, dramatically minimizing risks and costs, and improving efficiency. 

When Probe introduced the iSet™ electro-hydraulic setting tool in 2015, it rapidly became the industry’s favored non-explosive setting tool. By removing the need to use explosives, it is not only much safer and less complicated, users do not have to obtain special use or transport permits, saving time and money.

iSet™ Electro-hydraulic Setting Tool

The global market responds

Since entering the market five years ago, the iSet continues to perform reliably, whether being used to set bridge plugs, gauge hangers, and other downhole devices.

“We’ve deployed nearly 90 iSet™ tools for use in well intervention and abandonment operations around the world, with many customers using the tool repeatedly. The highest concentration is in the Middle East and Asia, followed by Europe, Latin America, Africa and China,” said Mike Rennie, Region Sales Manager – ESSA for Probe.  “Given concerns for safety in a hazardous area, we’re witnessing a trend among users to run jobs offline from a rig in Memory mode on slickline.”

The iSet™ is not only safer, it can be run up to 50 times without redressing between runs. Coupled with the fact that after the tool reaches the surface, it can be re-set very quickly and re-run in a matter of minutes, it is cost effective and efficient.

The iSet offers an alternative to explosive and hydrostatic pressure setting tools with benefits unique to its electro-mechanical design:

  • Runs on e-line or slickline and performs in pressures as high as 15,000 psi and temperatures to 150oC. 
  • Generates requisite setting force, which is critical when working in a lower pressure well.
  • The combination of Cyclops Touch touchscreen technology with alkaline battery power in memory mode and the tool’s rapid reset feature means that technicians can learn to run it in just half an hour.
  • Diagnostic parameters are recorded, including setting force, 3-axis acceleration, pressure, temperature, displacement, battery voltage, and motor current.  Armed with this data, the operator has a complete picture of the setting cycle, which confirms whether the downhole device is properly set.    

Memory and Surface Read-out Modes Offer Flexibility, Safety

When operating the iSet™ Electro-hydraulic Setting Tool, there are two options: Memory or Surface Read-out Mode. When in Memory mode, the system relies upon the Cyclops Touch, a touchscreen interface that provides two-way communication, making it possible to easily program and confirm the iSet’s setting in the well without disassembling it or a computer. This is a distinct advantage, especially when operating in potentially dangerous conditions.

Two sizes equally popular

Each of the two sizes – 3.6 inch and 2.165 inch O.D. – have proven to be equally popular, with operators using them in both well intervention and abandonment operations. The larger size provides a setting force capability of 60,000 lbs, while the smaller tool achieves 30,000 lbs, each over a 10-in. stroke.  To provide flexibility, it can operate on two different power sources.  When slickline-deployed in Memory mode, AA alkaline batteries drive the tool, while a panel at surface powers the iSet when used on e-line in surface readout mode.

For more information contact us or look for the iSet™ on display at OTC and ADIPEC in 2021.

Probe CEO Response Regarding COVID-19

Federico Casavantes, CEO

FORT WORTH, Texas – The full impact and implications of COVID-19 are still unknown. In the meantime, at Probe, we are committed to the safety and well-being of our team, their families, and the communities where we live and work. We genuinely believe that the actions we are taking will ultimately result in the most favorable outcome for everyone that works with us.

We are living through some of the most dynamic times in recent history. Things are changing daily, but we are proactively implementing social distancing practices per World Health Organization (WHO) COVID-19 guidelines at all our facilities. We are encouraging virtual interactions amongst our team, as well as with clients and vendors, whenever possible. If a person-to-person meeting is critical, limiting participants and maintaining a distance of 6 ft between each other is recommended.

International and domestic travel for Probe employees will be restricted. Although, for the most part, we are not shifting to telecommuting (work from home), we will remain flexible to accommodate individual requirements and local authority directives.

Our overall objective is to reduce the net COVID-19 exposure for all Probe employees, clients, and vendors. We wish to provide you with the assurance that we will strive to maintain the highest possible standard of service during these difficult times and will work with you to limit any disruption to your operations. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Federico Casavantes
President & CEO

Solving Industry Challenges Drives Probe to Innovate and Improve Logging Technologies

New cost-effective solutions provide increased reliability, faster sampling rates and more accurate data

Probe's ProMac 40 under a calibration testing
Probe’s ProMac 40 under calibration testing.

During the past six months, Probe has introduced new patented sensors and tools that dramatically improve data logging efficiency and accuracy. 

“We are absolutely driven by market demand for faster, more cost-effective solutions to log accurate data, so we set out to deliver that by innovating traditional logging technologies,” said Federico Casavantes, CEO of Probe. “For example, our new ProMAC™ Series of multi-arm caliper tools are fully combinable with all Probe HD Platform tools, and operate in Surface Readout or Memory modes. There are multiple improvements that increase reliability, maintainability and accuracy. One such improvement, for example, is that the tool’s sensors’ outstanding linearity and stability has allowed us to reduce calibration time to half a day. Consequently, our customers are able to increase asset utilization by minimizing downtime. It also means that electronics and sensors aren’t exposed to high temperatures more than absolutely necessary, reducing the risk of tool failure due to temperature fatigue.”

MAC24™:  New Technology Showcase 2019 Winner

Just last month, the MAC24™, which is the first in the ProMAC Series, was selected as a winner in the New Technology Showcase at LAGCOE 2019 in Louisiana.  The new MAC24 incorporates innovations in metrology and manufacturing, greatly improving log data quality, accuracy and reliability when logging tubing and casing mineral deposition, corrosion, wear and mechanical deformation.  Relying upon a modular constant current sensor design that Probe developed specifically for the ProMAC Series, the tool provides high-stability and accuracy over its full operating temperature range up to 175°C.

The MAC24 calibration process has also been dramatically reduced from days to a few hours. 

Designed with the utmost attention to measurement quality, the tool has been proven through extensive engineering and field-testing. At recommended logging speeds of 30 ft per minute (9 meters per minute), MAC24 meets industry standards with a vertical resolution of 0.12” (3mm). Considering future super high-resolution requirements, the tool will also be capable of sampling at up to 100 frames per second achieving a vertical resolution of 0.06” (1.5mm) at current industry-accepted logging speeds.

First XY caliper for geothermal well operations

In September, Probe introduced the UHT Dimension™ XY Caliper, the first XY Caliper Tool designed to operate in ultra-high temperature environments.  The tool, which builds upon the Kuster® geothermal logging tool portfolio, performs in hostile environments up to 325°C (617°F) and provides two continuous independent perpendicular measurements (X and Y) of the internal diameter of the casing.  It also generates a high-resolution temperature profile of the well via an external fast-response resistance temperature detector (RTD).  It is the first caliper tool available to log in ultra-high temperature environments, such as those typically encountered in geothermal well operations.

Assessing well conditions increases efficiency of costly plug & abandonment operations

In other development news, Probe is hard at work on its Multi-String Isolation Logging (MSIL) tool, which offers a unique and cost-effective solution for assessing the isolation behind casing without pulling production tubing from the well.  The aim is to provide operators with a ground-breaking technology to evaluate and determine cement bond quality and isolation without pulling the completion, thus greatly increasing the efficiencies and lowering the cost of plug and abandonment operations. By collaborating with a major operator, the tool is progressing on schedule, and has performed successfully in rigorous field trials in the North Sea. Probe plans to continue to collaborate further during 2020 with E&P operators in an extended field trial phase in order to fully prove the technology before going to market.

 

Probe Introduces UHT Dimension™ – First XY Caliper for Geothermal Well Operations

New Tool Relies on Kuster® Technology toMeasure Scale Build-up and Temperature Fluctuations

The UHT Dimension™ XY Caliper, the first XY Caliper Tool specifically designed to operate in ultra-high temperature environments.  This new development expands upon the renowned Kuster® geothermal logging tool portfolio, used extensively in the global geothermal industry for its performance and reliability.

Developed to operate in hostile environments up to 325°C (617°F), the UHT Dimension tool provides two continuous independent perpendicular measurements (X and Y) of the internal diameter of the casing.  The tool also produces a high-resolution temperature profile of the well via an external fast-response resistance temperature detector (RTD).  There is no other caliper tool that offers this versatility for ultra-high temperature and geothermal well operations.

Featuring Kuster® high-temperature technology, it is the latest addition to Probe’s range of Kuster® pressure-temperature (PT) sensors, pressure-temperature-spinner (PTS) sensors, and Protherma™ (UHT PLT with pressure-temperature-spinner-gamma ray-casing collar measurements). All materials used to produce the UHT Dimension tool meet with the requisite NACE MRO175 specifications for use in corrosive wellbore environment.

Acting upon early warning signs prevents reduced flow

“The introduction of ultra-high temperature XY Caliper technology for the geothermal industry is a major breakthrough.  A critical factor is that mineral deposition regularly affects geothermal well conditions. Until now, gauging the internal diameter of these wells was ineffective.  The ability to generate a continuous log and accurately calculate flowrates is huge differentiating advantage,” said Steve Beattie, Sales Manager for Well Monitoring for Probe. “By gathering accurate, reliable on-depth casing dimensions, geothermal companies can quantify scale build-up and any other restrictions due to the reduction in casing diameter. The tool also identifies downhole components and other anomalies.  By detecting such issues early on, the operator engaging in such proactive maintenance can maintain a critical flowrate by removing the restriction; which will aid in reducing the operational downtime and treatment cost.”

Versatile tool offers increased efficiency

The UHT Dimension tool is very versatile. It can be run stand-alone or combined with other Kuster® geothermal PT and PTS tools. Its robust mechanical design features single roller arms that conform easily to most wellbore conditions.  However, if there is a need to run over slotted sleeves or sandscreens, an optional triple roller arm is available for increased run efficiency.

Rigorously tested during field trials executed in Asia and the USA, the UHT Dimension™ XY Caliper is now available for purchase. 

To learn more about the new UHT Dimension™ XY Caliper, visit Probe at the Geothermal Resources Council’s Annual Meeting & Expo 2019, at Stand 520 where it will be available to inspect. It will take place on September 15 – 18, 2019 in Palm Springs, California.

Probe releases the Multi-String Isolation Logging tool: A Cost-Effective Solution for Plug and Abandonment

MSIL: New Tech Spotlight
Jun Zhang, Chief Scientist at Probe, presents MSIL new technology to the Society of Petroleum Engineers ICOTA awards.

For years, the oil and gas industry has looked for a way to assess the isolation between geological intervals without pulling production tubing from the well. Until now, no technology could evaluate and determine cement bond quality and isolation without costly and time-intensive plug and abandonment processes. On May 14, 2019, two members from the Probe team, Jun Zhang and Pouya Mahbod, along with Conoco Phillips’ Randall Shafer, Dan Mueller, and Callum Anderson, introduced the innovative Multi-string Isolation Log (MSIL) at the Society of Petroleum Engineer’s Conference in Bergen, Norway.

Methodology

The MSIL solution introduces a novel methodology and associated logging apparatus to the industry, providing an innovative technology for multi-layer cement bond quality and isolation evaluation. Unlike conventional cement bond logs and ultrasonic imaging logs which require prior removal of production tubing from the wells, MSIL technology evaluates the isolation behind the casing without the need to pull tubing.

Following extensive pre-commercial testing, more than six field trials have been successfully conducted offshore in the southern sector of the North Sea. Side-by-side comparison of conventional independent third party CBLs after production tubing was removed from the well, which also included ultrasonic logs, confirmed and verified MSIL results. These trials demonstrated the applicability of MSIL technology to all typical casing and tubing weight and size combinations.

Accurate Assessment

The accurate assessment of cement bond and isolation conditions in multi-layered configurations not only reduces unnecessary costs, but significantly simplifies the traditional P&A process altogether. While many P&A operations can run as high as $500,000 per day, MSIL technology drastically reduces overall expenditure and ensures the most efficient operation process. It also paves the way in innovation for a wider range of rigless P&A solutions.

A publication about the new MISL technology can be found on the Society of Petroleum Engineers’ OnePetro website by clicking here.