SPECIAL REPORT

Next Generation Wireline

Logging Technology for
Modern Oil and Gas Operations

Well Integrity – New Logging Technologies

How BP Macondo Pushed Well Monitoring to the Fore
Wireline Technology Undergoes a Substantial Shakeup
The Latest Advances in Wireline Technology
Building the Technology of the Future

Sponsored by

Published by Global Business Media

 SPECIAL REPORT
SPECIAL REPORT: NEXT GENERATION WIRELINE LOGGING TECHNOLOGY FOR MODERN OIL AND GAS OPERATIONS

Next Generation Wireline

Logging Technology for

Contents
Modern Oil and Gas Operations

Well Integrity – New Logging Technologies

How BP Macondo Pushed Well Monitoring to the Fore
Wireline Technology Undergoes a Substantial Shakeup
The Latest Advances in Wireline Technology
Building the Technology of the Future

Foreword 2
Tom Cropper, Editor

Well Integrity – New Logging Technologies 3

Marvin Rourke, GOWell International, LLC

The Role of Technology

Sponsored by
The Continuing Need for an Experienced Corrosion Log Specialist
Detecting Pipe Defects
Published by Global Business Media

Recent Developments
Published by Global Business Media Both Proactive and Reactive Monitoring
Global Business Media Limited Temperature and Noise Logs
62 The Street Ashtead Surrey KT21 1AT
United Kingdom How BP Macondo Pushed 7
Switchboard: +44 (0)1737 850 939 Well Monitoring to the Fore
Fax: +44 (0)1737 851 952 Tom Cropper, Editor
Email: info@globalbusinessmedia.org
Website: www.globalbusinessmedia.org BP Fallout
Publisher Addressing the Problem
Kevin Bell Modern Challenges
Editor
Tom Cropper Wireline Technology Undergoes 9
Business Development Director a Substantial Shakeup
Marie-Anne Brooks
Jo Roth, Staff Writer
Senior Project Manager
Steve Banks Deepwater Drilling
Advertising Executives Cost Saving
Michael McCarthy
Data Gathering
Abigail Coombes
Production Manager Logging While Drilling
Paul Davies
For further information visit:
The Latest Advances in Wireline Technology 11
www.globalbusinessmedia.org James Butler, Staff Writer

The opinions and views expressed in the

A Changing Market
editorial content in this publication are those Improved Technology
of the authors alone and do not necessarily
represent the views of any organisation with Conveyancing
which they may be associated.
Material in advertisements and promotional Building the Technology of the Future 13
features may be considered to represent the
Tom Cropper, Editor
views of the advertisers and promoters. The
views and opinions expressed in this publication
do not necessarily express the views of the Offshore Will be Hit by Lower Costs
Publishers or the Editor. While every care has
been taken in the preparation of this publication,
Deepwater
neither the Publishers nor the Editor are Future Innovations
responsible for such opinions and views or
for any inaccuracies in the articles.
References 15
© 2015. The entire contents of this publication
are protected by copyright. Full details are
available from the Publishers. All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced,
stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any
form or by any means, electronic, mechanical
photocopying, recording or otherwise, without
the prior permission of the copyright owner.

WWW.OFFSHORETECHNOLOGYREPORTS.COM | 1
 SPECIAL REPORT: NEXT GENERATION WIRELINE LOGGING TECHNOLOGY FOR MODERN OIL AND GAS OPERATIONS
Foreword
W
ELL INTEGRITY management has become
a major area of focus over the last five years.
With drilling companies looking to extend the life
of existing oil fields while simultaneously pushing
into deeper and more hostile areas, the demands
on wireline logging equipment are growing. The
next generation of technology will have to provide
more accurate information and minimize operating
costs while being able to endure extreme depth
and harsh conditions.
In the first article in our report, Marvin Rourke of
GOWell International explores some of the key
developments in wireline well logging technology.
He shows how the market is developing in response
to a more demanding operating environment and
outlines some of the latest technologies his company
is bringing into play.
We’ll then look at the background. The Macondo
oil spill of 2010 was a game changer for the oil
and gas industry. Increasing regulatory oversight
has heightened the emphasis on well integrity
Tom Cropper has produced articles and reports on various aspects of global business
over the past 15 years. He has also worked as a copywriter for some of the largest
corporations in the world, including ING, KPMG and the World Wildlife Fund.
2 | WWW.OFFSHORETECHNOLOGYREPORTS.COM
management solutions. In our second article,
we examine the effect this has had on offshore
operations, and how the spill helped spark a
revitalization of technology.
From then on, we focus on developing trends in the
market and where this might go in the future. Modern
oil exploration creates multiple challenges from ageing
infrastructure, ultra-deepwater, high temperature and
pressures and deviating wells. With each of these,
the challenge is to find applications which allow
wirelines to operate at maximum performance while
simultaneously minimizing the cost.
These new technologies themselves bring new
challenges. Different environments require different
applications. For oil drilling companies, the big
challenge is to understand what these new products
can do and how they work. Only then will they be
able to get the most from wireline logging equipment.
Tom Cropper
Editor
SPECIAL REPORT: NEXT GENERATION WIRELINE LOGGING TECHNOLOGY FOR MODERN OIL AND GAS OPERATIONS
Well Integrity –
New Logging Technologies
Marvin Rourke, GOWell International, LLC
GOWell is in the business of advancing Well Integrity Solutions –
Read about our latest technology offerings.
W ELL INTEGRITY monitoring is of growing
importance in maturing fields as oil and
gas continues to be exploited in hostile and
corrosive environments with strict regulatory
requirements. It is only in the last decade
that the industry has embraced the need
for a systematic approach to Well Integrity
Management. The pace has accelerated since
Macondo in April 2010 with a comprehensive
update to Norway’s NORSOK D-010, the
introduction of the UK’s “Well Integrity
Guidelines”, Issue 1, July 2012 and last year’s
ISO TS 16530 part 2. These concentrate on
the operational phase of the well’s life-cycle,
defined as commencing from the handover
of the well after construction, to the handover
prior to abandonment. Implementation of EU
Directive 2013/30/EU commences in 2015
and addresses offshore safety as a result of
the conclusions of the EU commission post-
Macondo. These guidelines and directives
establish a regulatory framework for our
industry to build upon along with help from
the oil and gas professional organizations such
as SPE and IADC.
The Role of Technology
Today, software tools are available that can
assist operators with Well Integrity Management
by establishing monitoring and preventive
maintenance programs via a well failure database
and performance-based decision tools. Together,
these software tools collect a vast array of relevant
information from well and completion designs
to well histories. Surface data includes tree
inspections, SSSV & tree valve testing and tubing
and casing annulus pressure measurements.
Downhole data includes cement bond evaluation,
tubular corrosion and deformation logs, abnormal
flow and leak detection. When used effectively,
these software tools can optimize preventative
maintenance and reduce the overall number of
problematic wells. Our industry’s growing needs
are giving impetus to technology developments
to provide better equipment for evaluating well
integrity both at the surface and downhole.
At certain points in the lifetime of a well it is
important to evaluate the tubular and annuli
integrity by running logs such as cement bond
evaluation, production flow, and tubular inspection
logs. At the well construction phase, the cement
placement is evaluated by cement bond logs
and sometimes early after well completion, a
baseline set of tubing and casing inspection
logs are run. These baseline logs form part of a
corrosion monitoring strategy which allows field-
wide predictions to be made which is especially
important in areas of corrosive fluid production.
The Continuing Need
for an Experienced
Corrosion Log Specialist
Tubing and casing integrity inspection typically
consists of a combination of mechanical multi-
finger caliper logs (MFC), electro-magnetic (EM)
pipe thickness logs, ultrasonic casing inspection
logs, and downhole cameras. The workhorse
for tubing and casing inspections over the past
two decades has been the multi-finger imaging
caliper log. Currently, a more mature MFC
data analysis workflow exists, as well as more
robust reporting tools. However, these are not a
substitute for a knowledgeable and experienced
corrosion log specialist. Today it is common to
present corrosion data with an interactive software
package such as MIPSPro which allows for
comprehensive visualization of the corrosion log
data, together with interpreted comments and
annotations. MIPSPro is now an increasingly
common replacement for traditional paper logs.
Detecting Pipe Defects
Caliper logs are limited to profiling the pipe
inside diameter (ID). To evaluate corrosion or
pipe damage beyond the inner wall requires
additional measurements. A key technology for
tubing and casing inspection employs Electro-
Magnetics (EM), as these measurements are
WWW.OFFSHORETECHNOLOGYREPORTS.COM | 3
 SPECIAL REPORT: NEXT GENERATION WIRELINE LOGGING TECHNOLOGY FOR MODERN OIL AND GAS OPERATIONS
These software tools
collect a vast array of
relevant information from
well and completion
designs to well histories
MULTI-FINGER CALIPER SHOWING DAMAGE IN 7INCH CASING
sensitive to pipe thickness where wall thinning is
associated with corrosion or other pipe defects.
Commonly used methods include Magnetic
Flux Leakage (MFL) and Remote Field Eddy
Current (RFEC) with a number of commercially
available logging tools in the market. RFEC tools
are “AC” based measurements employing a low-
frequency transmitter and receiver coil(s) located
some distance away, typically 2-3 times the pipe
diameter being inspected. The phase shift and
amplitude of the received signal are sensitive to
pipe properties, including thickness. Depending
on the tool configuration, the EM measurements
are either sensitive uniquely to the thickness of the
innermost pipe or the total metal thickness of all
concentric pipes in the well. For example, in a well
with a tubing completion and production casing,
these RFEC tools will give either a tubing-only
thickness or a total combined tubing and casing
thickness value. In the later case, subtracting
wall loss derived from a multi-finger caliper log
can give a pseudo-casing inspection log. With
transmitter and receiver coils located a significant
distance apart in these RFEC tools, the vertical
measurement resolution can be degraded.
4 | WWW.OFFSHORETECHNOLOGYREPORTS.COM
Recent Developments
A more recent development is to use a technique
called Pulsed Eddy Current (PEC) where a short,
high-energy EM pulse from a transmitter coil
“charges” the surrounding concentric pipes.
Immediately after the excitation pulse, a co-
located receiver coil measures the collapsing
eddy currents. Embedded within this received
“decay” curve is a complex signature that is a
function of the surrounding pipe’s geometry and
properties. Forward modeling and simulation
reveals that early part of the decay is sensitive
to only the inner pipe whereas, in later time,
outer pipe signals appear. By employing an
inversion processing technique, the composite
decay signal can be unraveled allowing for
determination of multiple tubular thicknesses. In
particular the identification of corrosion or defects
in a second or third outside tubular is possible.
The co-located transmitter and receiver coil
configuration helps improve the vertical resolution
compared to RFEC tools. The advantage of
this technique is that casing problems can be
located without the need to “pull the completion”
as the slim PEC tool can be run through tubing.
SPECIAL REPORT: NEXT GENERATION WIRELINE LOGGING TECHNOLOGY FOR MODERN OIL AND GAS OPERATIONS
MODELING AND JOB PLANNER
Another application is the evaluation of surface
casing behind the cemented production string.
GOWell’s latest generation PEC tool the MTD-E is
configurable for optimum data acquisition and is
fully combinable with other casing inspection and
logging sensors. To assist with job preparation
and tool configuration, a software package called
“MTD-E Job Planner” is available. Tool response
to actual tubing and casing configurations can be
predicted, which allows configuration for optimal
acquisition and determination of the required
processing parameters.
To process the MTD-E data we employ a three-
step process from raw data to final results. The
first step is to determine by inversion the EM
properties of each joint of the tubulars. A second
inversion is then applied to simultaneously
calculate the multiple thickness results and,
lastly, a set of outputs is created which allow the
results to be quality controlled and interpreted.
This processing workflow is incorporated into the
MTD TOOL RUN INSIDE 3-1/2” COMPLETION SHOWING DAMAGE IN 7INCH PRODUCTION CASING
MIPSPro package that is user-friendly and allows
for interpretation and visualization of multi-finger
caliper, MTD-E tool and other logging data.
A side-by-side visualization of all Well Integrity
data from different measurements is an
important interpretation tool. Measurements
which corroborate and complement each
other increase the confidence level and reduce
uncertainty of the interpreted results. A caliper-
only interpretation could, for example, report pipe
in good condition even where significant metal
wall loss exists if scale or bitumen deposits are
present. With additional information from an EM
based inspection tool, this can then be resolved.
The software tools for an integrated Well Integrity
evaluation continue to evolve as there is a growing
awareness and needs within the industry. GOWell
and Epidote are working hand-in-hand to bring to
the market a new software package for improved
visualization of a wide range of measurements for
Well Integrity evaluations.
WWW.OFFSHORETECHNOLOGYREPORTS.COM | 5
 SPECIAL REPORT: NEXT GENERATION WIRELINE LOGGING TECHNOLOGY FOR MODERN OIL AND GAS OPERATIONS
GOWell’s latest
generation PEC tool the
MTD-E is configurable
for optimum data
acquisition and is fully
combinable with other
casing inspection and
logging sensors
6 | WWW.OFFSHORETECHNOLOGYREPORTS.COM
Both Proactive
and Reactive Monitoring
Surface casing vent flow is one example
of a serious well integrity problem where
formation fluids uncontrollably escape to the
surface. Possibly failure mechanisms include
channeling through poor cement placement or
by degradation of cement and subsequent pipe
corrosion. In such cases, if running only standard
casing inspection tools, crucial information may
be overlooked such as pinpointing the exact
depth of the fluid entry and the flow path to
drive remedial actions. This makes a distinction
between casing inspection and leak detection,
the latter being always in reactive mode or “after
the fact” diagnostics whereas the former serves
as proactive monitoring for preventive purposes.
A cement bond log may serve to identify poor
cement zones to corroborate results from leak
detection tools.
Temperature and Noise Logs
When used regularly during a well’s lifecycle,
multi-finger caliper and EM corrosion logs
can be used to monitor corrosion and help
mitigate serious leaks or well failures. However
in situations where a downhole problem is
causing a fluid leak in the tubing or casing, then
additional diagnostics can be used to locate
the leak. Such abnormal flow conditions can be
assessed by various techniques ranging from a
simple temperature log to more sophisticated
leak-detection noise log. Temperature logs
have been used for decades and should
not be forgotten but can be tricky to interpret
conclusively. Noise logs were originally acquired
using a downhole hydrophone and an operator
listening through a set of headphones. Today’s
noise tools consist of a wide-band hydrophone
with digital signal processing to produce
a frequency spectrum log (spectral noise
logging). However, noise logging does have
its challenges. These include how to eliminate
unwanted noise not associated with leaks while
still having enough sensitivity to pickup minor
leaks. In many cases this can only be achieved
by a series of stationary measurements which are
time-consuming to acquire and can completely
miss the leak interval. GOWell’s next generation
noise logging tool will feature a large array of
acoustic sensors and employ processing that
allows for a robust extraction of the small leak
signals while logging continuously. It is sometimes
not possible to reproduce leaks unless similar
well conditions at which the leak occurs are re-
created. Additionally, the leak may not clearly
manifest unless a minimum pressure differential
across the pipe or flow path is established. Such
pressure differentials also make for sufficiently
high velocities and associated noise beyond
base line noise, necessary for leak detection/
discrimination. Certain temperature profiles
may also lead to pipe expansion profiles and
anomalies that may disappear or change when
a different temperature profile develops. This is
common in Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage
wells (SAGD).
The increasing needs of the oil and gas industry
in the Well Integrity arena are driving the demand
for new technologies. Logging measurements
and techniques for casing and annuli evaluation
play an important role and are continuing to
evolve. GOWell is focused on developing
and deploying advanced Well Integrity
solutions for the global logging industry – a
partner today and in the future ready to support
wherever and whenever.
Contact Details
10642 W. Little York Rd. Houston,
TX 77041, USA
Tel: +1 (713) 909-2555
sales.usa@gowellpetro.com
www.gowellpetro.com
SPECIAL REPORT: NEXT GENERATION WIRELINE LOGGING TECHNOLOGY FOR MODERN OIL AND GAS OPERATIONS
How BP Macondo Pushed
Well Monitoring to the Fore
Tom Cropper, Editor
After the Gulf of Mexico disaster, the industry is finally placing the required
emphasis on well integrity management.
I N 2010, an explosion on board a BP oil rig in
the Gulf of Mexico rocked the offshore world
and changed the industry forever. Among the
many learnings to have come in the wake of
the disaster is an increased awareness of the
importance of constant monitoring of well
integrity. As infrastructure ages, and rigs delve
into deeper waters, the strain on equipment
is growing. Although all downhole equipment
is rated with an expected service life, it is
becoming increasingly difficult to account
for variables. Unexpected downtime, along
with the risk of catastrophic failure, are to the
forefront of rig operators’ minds, which creates
an imperative for change. This article will focus
on the emerging challenges and demands
which are spurring a search for technological
innovation in well monitoring.
BP Fallout
The BP disaster was a perfect illustration of why
deepwater exploration can be so dangerous. The
explosion happened shortly after drilling on the
deepwater well had been completed and just
before the well was capped to allow a production
rig to move into position. A failure in the concrete
seal at the well-head sparked a leak which led to
an explosion, discharging an estimated 4.9 million
barrels of oil into the ocean. Even as the clean-up
operation was underway, the search for reasons
for the blowout began. Reports into the cause of
the disaster have pointed to multiple failings in
procedures, safety, containment and monitoring.
The priority since the disaster has been to
ensure the right lessons have been learned and
that such a catastrophe will never happen again.
A report published by the European Commission
shortly after the accident identified failings
in a fragmented regulatory framework which
meant there was little assurance that risks were
minimized throughout the union. This led to the
establishment of the Offshore Directive, intended
to establish a clearer international regulatory
framework covering offshore oil. Meanwhile,
the Subsea Well Containment and Control
Taskforce, comprised of 30 members from 20
organizations, made a list of recommendations
about how to improve well safety and to contain
any hydrocarbons after a spill. However, there
is still work to do in developing a comprehensive
and unified global response to integrity
management. While significant progress has
been made in the US and Europe, other areas
such as East Asia remain fragmented and reliant
on self-regulation.
Addressing the Problem
The cumulative result of such learnings is that,
for well integrity, monitoring is being treated
as a major priority. Companies are investing
substantial amounts into developing as clear a
vision of conditions downhole as possible. BP, for
example, reacted to the Macondo disaster by the
establishment of a new organization with overall
powers for well integrity, which reports directly
to the CEO. Annual events such as the annual
well integrity conference, which is now in its third
year, illustrate the industry-wide attempts to use
collaboration to identify challenges and solutions1.
As a result of all this focus, technological
innovation is moving apace as companies work
hard to improve their well monitoring processes.
According to all the available data it’s a good
thing too. A study on the Norwegian Continental
shelf by the Norwegian Petroleum Safety Authority
found that a fifth of every well analyzed had
integrity weaknesses2. A 2011 SPE paper on well
integrity in the Gulf of Mexico found that around
45% had sustained pressure issues3.
Modern Challenges
The issue is exacerbated by the modern offshore
exploration environment. Advances in technology
have enabled drilling companies to extend
the lifecycle of existing wells and expand into
environments that would previously have been
considered out of reach. Doing so, though,
creates a number of additional risks.
WWW.OFFSHORETECHNOLOGYREPORTS.COM | 7
 SPECIAL REPORT: NEXT GENERATION WIRELINE LOGGING TECHNOLOGY FOR MODERN OIL AND GAS OPERATIONS
The priority since the
disaster has been to
ensure the right lessons
have been learned and
that such a catastrophe
will never happen again
Many of the world’s existing oilfields
are extending their life well beyond their
original lifecycle as oil companies find new
techniques which can enhance recovery.
Under conventional primary and secondary oil
recovery techniques, approximately 30% of an oil
reservoir can be recovered. However, enhanced
oil production techniques promise to extend
dramatically this figure.
The cost comes in the strain these techniques
put on infrastructure, subjecting wells to increased
pressure, temperature and corrosive materials.
The problem is further exacerbated by the age
of much of that equipment which, in many
offshore areas operating today, is out of date.
Wear and tear over time heightens the risk of
hydrocarbon release and increased downtime
for maintenance and repair.
Drilling at depth brings with it a range of
problems such as extreme weather high
temperature and pressures. As Exploration
and Production companies extend further from
the shore and deeper beneath the ocean, not
only do the risks of release increase, but so do
the consequences. The BP disaster illustrated
the difficulties of containing a spill at deepwater
as oil pumped into the Gulf of Mexico for days
before it was finally capped.
8 | WWW.OFFSHORETECHNOLOGYREPORTS.COM
Add to this a difficult commercial environment.
Oil price volatility means exploration is a marginal
commercial proposition. Every moment of
downtime inflicts painful damage on an oil
company’s profit margins. The focus is therefore
on preventative measures for which effective
monitoring and control is a crucial factor.
This is creating a valuable market for
engineering companies capable of producing
the next generation of wireline well integrity
monitoring systems. They are introducing new
technologies to improve the accuracy of data
collection with minimal impact on oil production.
New software systems are enabling operators
to analyze and assess data in real time, giving
them on-the-spot alerts about any problems as
and when they arise.
The industry has made significant strides since
that fateful April day, but there is much more to
do. Market pressures are spurring innovation in oil
production techniques. To ensure safety reaches
the requisite standards, monitoring systems and
data analysis software need to keep up. The result
is a collection of new technological advancements
coming to market over the last couple of years.
This, though, will only be the beginning as the
oil industry aims to ensure future oil production
and recovery is as safe as possible.
SPECIAL REPORT: NEXT GENERATION WIRELINE LOGGING TECHNOLOGY FOR MODERN OIL AND GAS OPERATIONS
Wireline Technology
Undergoes a
Substantial Shakeup
Jo Roth, Staff Writer
The oil and gas industry is coming under multiple pressures and these are reflected
in the development of new downhole wireline tools.
T OUGH ECONOMIC conditions have forced
oil companies to make hard choices. But
for all the sacrifices and savings made, offshore
oil extraction remains as a priority. In today’s
safety conscious world, marked by increased
post-Macondo regulatory oversight, the
monitoring of well integrity has become one of
the primary responsibilities of E&P companies.
Such demands make a fertile ground for
innovation with new products coming to market
promising greater costs efficiencies, superior
data gathering, and the capacity to withstand
unprecedentedly harsh conditions. In this
article, we’ll examine the key challenges and
how the industry is rising to meet them.
Deepwater Drilling
For all the commercial uncertainty surrounding the
market, the future of oil production is undoubtedly
in deepwater, but as these deeper wells come
into play, they create a number of new obstacles.
These include:
• Tension: These wells are often thousands
of feet deep. Lowering long lengths of heavy
cable exposes it to incredible levels of tension
exceeding 10,000lbf.
•H  igh pressure: The deepest wells take
drillers into ultra-high pressure environments
exceeding 30,000psi.
•H  igh temperature: Some wells could be
operating at 500 degrees Fahrenheit and
more, taking it beyond the operational
tolerances of most conventional systems.
In preparing equipment for these harsh conditions,
developers are redesigning every component.
New products, such as the Schlumberger’s
new high tension conveyancing system, benefit
from extensive development to ensure they are
capable of delivering maximum performance in
the harshest environments. At its heart is a high
strength cable which has increased tension
tolerances and can function at up to 13,000lbf.
The entire conveyance system delivers a host
of benefits including, increased safety in
high tension environments, reduced cable
maintenance, few runs and increased efficiency,
which results in rig time savings4.
Cost Saving
Offshore oil production has always been a cost-
sensitive business, but the volatility surrounding
prices over the past year has made the sums
even tighter. The difficult market conditions have,
if anything, created an opportunity for well integrity
monitoring solutions. With every hour of downtime
cutting into profit margins, oil companies need to
minimize the amount of time required for serious
maintenance. For that they need an accurate and
up-to-date view of conditions in the well. Monitoring
systems, therefore, assume an unprecedented
level of importance in terms of oil extraction.
However, while these products are required to
produce the best possible results, they too must
improve cost efficiency at every stage of the
process. A key way to do this is to reduce wastage.
One of the most important areas of advancement
over the past couple of years has been in the
use of digital technology. By producing digital
monitoring systems which can achieve continuous
wireline monitoring, operators can extend the life
of equipment. Traditional methods will see the
wireline deployed for as long as is needed and
then discarded afterwards irrespective of its
condition. Products which can provide an
enhanced view of conditions, allow the possibility
of re-use which creates significant incremental
savings5. The overall result is to mitigate the
increased risk from high tension environments
while enabling tools to capture the breadth of data
required at maximum efficiency.
WWW.OFFSHORETECHNOLOGYREPORTS.COM | 9
 SPECIAL REPORT: NEXT GENERATION WIRELINE LOGGING TECHNOLOGY FOR MODERN OIL AND GAS OPERATIONS
Many of the world’s
existing oilfields are
extending their life
well beyond their
original lifecycle as oil
companies find new
techniques which can
enhance recovery
Data Gathering
As technology improves, the amount of data
that can be captured is increasing. Logging
tools routinely provide information such as
tree inspections, tubing and casing pressure
measurements, cement bond evaluation, corrosion
assessment and detection of abnormal flow rates
or leak identification. This can all be of crucial
importance in alerting operators to any issues
which might require attention.
Gathering this information is one thing, but
displaying it is quite another. The traditional
approach of storing data and presenting it in
paper presentations to be analyzed is being
replaced by faster real-time data gathering which
can transmit information to the surface. Operators
can then view the totality of information collected
in real time enabling them to make prompt and
effective judgements.
In delivering this functionality, companies are
turning to interactive software packages which
can display substantial amounts of information in
real time. These can be monitored on the surface
with software packages, which can seamlessly
connect with the downhole logging equipment.
Technology is becoming more interactive with the
capacity to be accessed online from multiple sites.
This in turn allows teams and individuals to see
hourly updates.
Logging While Drilling
Wireline logging technologies are the established
norm in the oil and gas industry, but recent
years have seen increasing use of Logging
While Drilling (LWD) applications. These first
arrived in the 1980s, but it is only now that they
are beginning to be taken seriously. Historically,
LWD tools were unable to compete with faster
and more efficient wireline counterparts. Log
10 | WWW.OFFSHORETECHNOLOGYREPORTS.COM
quality, resolution and depth accuracy were
inferior to wireline counterparts, but technology
is developing and in many cases, they are now
able to provide measurements with accuracy
comparable to the more commonly used wireline
technologies. In addition, the time of acquisition
with LWD is shorter than wireline technologies.
Instead of one or two days, information can be
available within a few hours. This is prompting
many companies to incorporate LWD into their
operations – but this technology is still developing.
Wireline technologies are also improving and,
because they are well established, operators feel
more comfortable using them. There is less of
an unknown element, which makes them more
reliable and dependable. Ultimately, it is likely that
the most forward thinking operators will adopt a
combination of both elements. This requires an
understanding of the characteristics of both types
of products, and the benefits they can bring.
The market is in an interesting state were
development is moving quickly. There are
numerous providers in this space, which in turn
fuels competition and promotes innovation. In
developing these next generational products,
though, much thought needs to be devoted to their
application. Engineers and end-buyers need to be
clear about what they need and the environments
in which they will be operating. Developers need
to provide highly effective measurement and
evaluation tools to identify where and how their
tools can deliver the required improvements.
Because these new tools are venturing into the
unknown they are having to develop new testing
and assessment parameters to ensure products
are equipped to operate within the harshest
environments. Only then are they able to assess
with certainty whether products are equipped for
the harsh demands of modern oil exploitation.
SPECIAL REPORT: NEXT GENERATION WIRELINE LOGGING TECHNOLOGY FOR MODERN OIL AND GAS OPERATIONS
The Latest Advances
in Wireline Technology
James Butler, Staff Writer
Rapid development means wireline logging tools are delivering increasingly
sophisticated functionality. Understanding the potential of new technologies
and what they can do is crucial.
B P’S GULF of Mexico disaster has placed
well integrity at the heart of offshore oil
and gas operations. As wells become deeper,
monitoring multiple pieces of information is
becoming a major priority. The result of this shift
in emphasis has been a rapid development in
the quality and sophistication available, with
new techniques improving data acquisition,
accuracy and efficiency. Understanding the
potential this offers is crucial. This article will
examine the ways in which wireline technology
has developed and the ways in which it can
offer real potential for oil and gas operators.
A Changing Market
The traditional wireline logging method has been
to lower a logging tool or string of instruments into
the borehole. Information is collected and then
delivered to the surface where it is presented in
paper form for later analysis. Electric logs have
been used since the 20s but it is only since the
Macondo disaster and the greater regulatory
scrutiny it brought that oil companies have
been prioritizing logging data. Today they
are delivering an ever-increasing range of
information to improve well data management.
This information is becoming increasingly
valuable, given the aging nature of much offshore
equipment. The industry has become highly
adept at maximizing well production in mature
oil fields through the use of advanced oil recovery
techniques. Primary and secondary techniques
can extract up to 30% of an oil reservoir, which
potentially leaves vast resources untapped within
rock formations. Recent years have seen the
adoption of tertiary techniques with the reduction
of surface tension through the injection of gasses,
chemicals and steam into the reservoir.
The effect is two-fold – firstly it increases the
lifecycle of oil fields well beyond their original
service date and secondly the use of chemicals
and steam subjects downhole equipment to
temperatures and corrosive elements which
can increase decay. As a result, much of the
infrastructure is ageing and in questionable
condition. For the sake of safety, identify issues
must be identified within the well before they arise,
and for the sake of profitability they must reduce
the pressure on maintenance. Wireline logging
has the ability to do both. Once operators are
certain their rigs are in safe condition, they will be
able to provide more information on production
and flow rates, which enables them to better
forecast the performance of the well.
Improved Technology
The demands of the market are spurring
innovation in measuring equipment. Calliper
logging tools, which have for so long been
the mainstay of wireline logging, are limited
to measuring the internal width of the tubing.
To identify surface thinning and corrosion,
electro-magnetic logs are used, which can
provide information on pipe thickness to
identify potential areas of degradation.
However, even some of these are limited.
Older single frequency EM logging techniques
were able to provide only certain levels of
information which is why operators have, in
recent years, progressed to multiple frequency
techniques. One of the most advanced is a
technique called Pulsed Eddy Current (PEC),
which measures multiple thicknesses of both
the inner and outer tubing. This allows a
quantitative evaluation of corrosion without
having to remove any tubing. The key to using
this is understanding how the tool responds to
pipe thicknesses. It works by supplying pulsed
current into the transmitting coil of the tool.
There will then be a time-varying electromotive
force (EMF) in the receiving coil. If there is
any thickness variation, faults or flaws in the
pipe string the induced EMF will be different
from its expected level.
WWW.OFFSHORETECHNOLOGYREPORTS.COM | 11
 SPECIAL REPORT: NEXT GENERATION WIRELINE LOGGING TECHNOLOGY FOR MODERN OIL AND GAS OPERATIONS
As part of the drive
to extract more oil,
companies have
become more adept
at understanding the
makeup of reservoirs
This technology has multiple uses. It can measure
the thickness of tubing, detect corrosion and
damage, and detect horizontal and vertical
cracking. GOWell Petroleum, who use this
technique, say the technology still has room
for further development including the evaluation
of a third pipe and increased power.
Conveyancing
As part of the drive to extract more oil, companies
have become more adept at understanding
the makeup of reservoirs. This, combined with
advanced drilling techniques, contributes to a
more complex well bore. From vertical wells,
the industry is expanding into deviated, s-shaped
and horizontal wells. However, this makes
many conventional wireline logging techniques
more challenging and in some cases impossible.
At a time when the acquisition of logging data is
becoming even more important, obtaining that
data is becoming increasingly difficult.
As ever, the industry is developing more
advanced tools to meet these challenges.
Improvements in conveyancing technology are
reducing the risk of sticking or tool loss, which
could previously have resulted in costly downtime
and delays. These offer the ability to gain logging
12 | WWW.OFFSHORETECHNOLOGYREPORTS.COM
data both in real time or memory mode, which
can provide operators with the required overview
of well bore conditions.
The market, then, is proving adept at reacting
to the challenges presented to it. The industry is
developing new techniques and products which
can enable it to obtain the data it needs at reduced
cost and risk. With this new technology, though,
come new practices and new methodologies.
The training and skill of logging engineers
remains an integral part of the process, if not more
so. Understanding how these new tools work and
how they can be used to deliver the data is critical.
Equally, being able to accurately analyze the data
and comprehend the information it is conveying
will be critical across offshore operations.
The offshore industry is undergoing a time of
rapid change. The goalposts have been moved
in some ways in terms of how cheaply operations
must be managed. Even so, the long term
global thirst for oil means offshore exploration
remains a priority. Logging has possibly never
had such a high priority within drilling operations.
Recent years have, therefore, seen a rise in the
development of innovations and technologies,
but one thing is clearer than anything else –
the future will almost certainly see more.
SPECIAL REPORT: NEXT GENERATION WIRELINE LOGGING TECHNOLOGY FOR MODERN OIL AND GAS OPERATIONS
Building the
Technology of the Future
Tom Cropper, Editor
The future appears to be bright for developers producing the next generation
of downhole wireline well integrity monitoring systems.
A S OIL prices took a tumble in 2014 the
industry became somewhat obsessed
with what-if scenarios? What if the OPEC
decides not cut back on oil production?
What if the US Shale boom continues? In
planning for the future, much thought is
being put into what the market will be like.
The future of technologies such as downhole
wireline equipment, therefore, will depend
substantially on what direction the market
takes from hereonin.
Offshore Will be
Hit by Lower Costs
The fluctuations that hit the oil price in 2014
have a major influence on planning for the future.
From highs at well over $100 per barrel in the
first half of the year, they plummeted to bottom
out at around $40 per barrel. Since then they
have recovered to just under $60 per barrel.
However, they remain vulnerable to geopolitical
events. For example, at the time of writing, oil
prices have fallen slightly to £56 per barrel on
the announcement of a nuclear deal between
the US and Iran, as speculators reacted to
the prospect of more Iranian oil flooding into
the market6.
Assessing the future demands of oil is no
easy task and depends on a variety of factors
including – continued production of US Shale,
OPEC’s decision to increase or lower production
and ongoing geopolitical issues in Syria, Iraq
and the rest of the Middle East. The number of
imponderables is great and a look into the past
shows that predictions are often cast aside by
the turn of events. However, as things stand,
the general industry consensus seems to be
that it may be some time before prices approach
the historic highs of 2014. Goldman Sachs’
current oil forecast placed Brent Crude at an
average of $58 per barrel in 2015, rising to
$62 in 20167. Such pressures and uncertainties
have impacted the offshore market.
Douglas Westwood said its sales had been
badly hit in 2015 with only three contracts being
awarded at a total of $1.5bn. Twice as many
orders were placed in the first half of the year
with a combined value more than 500% higher.
The disappointing figures, say DW, substantiate
the view that operators are prioritizing cost saving
measures. However, in the longer term, the
outlook is more positive. DW said floaters with a
potential $60bn value will be installed and there is
potential for more than 130 future projects.
Deepwater
Deepwater expenditure has been hit by the
low oil price. BP and Shell were both among
major oil producing nations to slash their E&P
budgets. Speaking at Northwestern University’
Kellogg School of Management Energy
Conference, Joe Quoyseser – an advisor on
oil drilling strategies – said that deepwater
producers “need prices on the order of
$75 to $85.”
The fallout of the Deepwater Horizon disaster
also has had an impact. The years after
the accident saw a slowdown in deepwater
exploration and an increase in costs due
to increased regulatory oversight. As
governments around the world seek to monitor
the development of new offshore plays,
that oversight is likely to become more – not
less – stringent.
Even so, deepwater is surprisingly resilient.
This is a long term game with up to a decade
between an oil discovery and the first extraction
of oil. As such, investment into exploration
and production continues with several major
deepwater projects coming online between
2015 and 2018. The largest, Chevron’s so-called
Big Foot, is expected to start producing oil in
the latter half of 2015.
Exploration continues to shift into new and
uncharted territories. Drawn by the prospect of
vast oil and gas reserves, companies are pushing
WWW.OFFSHORETECHNOLOGYREPORTS.COM | 13
 SPECIAL REPORT: NEXT GENERATION WIRELINE LOGGING TECHNOLOGY FOR MODERN OIL AND GAS OPERATIONS
From highs at well over
$100 per barrel in the
first half of the year, they
plummeted to bottom out
at around $40 per barrel
into the Arctic, despite widespread opposition
from environmental groups. This, in turn, will result
in increased regulatory oversight and costs. Even
so, the long term needs of the industry mean oil
extraction is still seen as a pressing necessity.
Future Innovations
The stage is set, therefore, for a future in which
wireline technologies will become more – not
less – important. Innovation will be driven by
a need to manage costs, improve safety and
deliver enhanced real-time information to
operators on the surface.
To reduce cost, operators must extend
runtime and reduce down time for maintenance.
Effective data gathering is crucial for this. Already
much more development is being put into the
sophistication of analysis software. This provides
a comprehensive overview of all the data acquired
downhole to be viewed in one place. The earlier
operators can gather information, the quicker they
can address issues before they become critical.
This effective monitoring also aids in estimating
the productivity and commercial viability of
deepwater wells. Operators need to know that all
well components are safe. Once they know that,
they have a better chance of making accurate
predictions about a well’s lifespan.
14 | WWW.OFFSHORETECHNOLOGYREPORTS.COM
SPECIAL REPORT: NEXT GENERATION WIRELINE LOGGING TECHNOLOGY FOR MODERN OIL AND GAS OPERATIONS
References:
1
Well integrity conference: http://www.decomworld.com/well-integrity/conference-agenda.php
2
Assessment of Sustained Well Integrity on the Norwegian Continental Shelf:
http://www.ieaghg.org/docs/wellbore/Wellbore%20Presentations/4th%20Mtg/01.pdf
3
Well integrity analysis: https://www.onepetro.org/conference-paper/SPE-142076-MS
4
Wireline Conveyance System: http://www.slb.com/~/media/Files/evaluation/brochures/other/deepwater_wireline_br.pdf
5
Monitoring systems extends wireline life: http://www.offshore-mag.com/articles/2013/08/monitoring-system-extends-wireline-life.html
6
What Iran’s Nuclear Deal means for the oil prices:
http://www.smh.com.au/business/markets/what-irans-nuclear-deal-means-for-the-oil-price-20150715-gicqfh.html
7
Goldman Sachs sees Iran deal as downside risk:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/07/15/us-iran-nuclear-oil-goldman-sachs-idUSKCN0PP0C120150715
The move into deepwater is bringing operators
into contact with unprecedented conditions.
New plays are requiring equipment to function
at temperatures of up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit
and at 30,000psi. This means new technologies
have to come up with groundbreaking designs
which go far beyond anything the industry
has ever seen. Developers are having to go
further than official testing regulations with new
products being tested to 450,000psi to ensure
equipment can be over-rated to cope with
anything deepwater can throw at it. Variabilities
in environment are also growing, with expansion
into extreme environments such as the Arctic.
Products will not necessarily be rated for every
deepwater project, meaning operators will have
to be selective about which products they use.
For all the difficulties being thrown at it, the
offshore market is proving to be remarkably
resilient. Price volatility may be putting the
squeeze on profits, but offshore oil is a long
term gain. If anything, tightening profit margins
mean companies will need to invest more in well
integrity monitoring equipment. This, combined
with the harsh environments faced by equipment
operating in deepwater, means considerable
investment is still needed to develop technologies
for the future.
WWW.OFFSHORETECHNOLOGYREPORTS.COM | 15
 Offshore Technology Reports…
the leading specialist combined
online research and networking
resource for senior upstream oil
and gas industry professionals.

• Up to the minute Industry and Technology information available

to all site users on a free of charge open access basis.
• Qualified signed up members are able to access premium content
Special Reports and interact with their peers using a variety of
advanced online networking tools.
• Designed to help users identify new technical solutions, understand
the implications of different technical choices and select the best
solutions available.
• Thought Leadership – Advice and guidance from internationally
recognised upstream oil and gas key opinion leaders.
• Peer Input – Contributions from senior upstream oil and gas
industry professionals.
• Independent Editorial Content – Expert and authoritative analysis
from award winning journalists and leading industry commentators.
• Supplier Provided Content.
• Designed to facilitate debate.
• Written to the highest professional standards

Visit http://www.offshoretechnologyreports.com/