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

News

Transforming and Aligning – Probe Commercial Summits

This week, our global sales team met in Fort Worth for its quarterly commercial summit. We continue to focus on driving customer value and aligning our organization as we continue to expand globally across multiple markets. At Probe, it is important for us to stay engaged in order to consistently meet our customers’ needs. That’s why we take time to gather regularly and review how we can increasingly become more effective.

This quarter, we covered topics such as:

Streamlining the research and development process to focus on projects that deliver the best solutions for our customers as rapidly as possible as the industry recovers Probe’s integrated product platform and new product development pipeline Customer feedback to celebrate and replicate what we’re doing well and to identify opportunities where we can make adjustments to continue to improve.

We believe this is what a good partner does. We are committed to our customers’ success.

We will stay alert across our markets and remain closely connected within our organization to communicate consistently and execute effectively.

What matters to our customers is what matters to us.

So Long OTC! See You Again in 2019!

Lots of excitement around Probe’s focus and latest achievements, and a general positive buzz around the market recovery were the salient points of this year’s OTC 2018. We thank all our customers, suppliers and friends for visiting with us, and look forward to working with you over the course of 2018. Now let’s start planning for 2019, it is going to be grand.

3 Detector Pulsed-Neutron Tool Announced at OTC 2018

The RAS™, Probe’s three-detector pulsed-neutron logging tool was announced during this year’s Offshore Technology Conference. The tool uses sigma and carbon-oxygen (C/O) techniques to measure reservoir fluid saturation of oil, water and gas.

The ability to accurately and reliably monitor reservoir conditions is an ongoing challenge for operators and service companies alike. For years, the industry has relied on systems that employ pulsed neutron technology to measure reservoir fluids behind casing and well tubulars. This technology is applied to monitor fluid contacts in the reservoir, diagnose production problems and to locate bypassed pay zones.

Full-function pulsed-neutron reservoir monitoring tools that employ sigma logging and C/O spectroscopy have been available from the major wireline service companies. “Operators and smaller wireline service companies had no alternative but to use the tools offered by a few major players,” said Federico Casavantes, President & CEO of Probe, a leading supplier of cased-hole well logging and reservoir monitoring technology.

“Consequently, demand for a full-function pulsed-neutron tool from an independent supplier, that could offer the same – or better – reservoir saturation data, continued to escalate. This demand was also being driven by market dynamics which greatly favored tool reliability, long-life and low total cost of ownership, all of which we are now able to fully address through our product offering.”

Probe’s Reservoir Analysis Sonde, RAS, an independent alternative Specialists at Hunter Well Science, a subsidiary of Probe since December 2017, developed the tool to measure reservoir fluid saturation of oil, water and gas.

The tool operates in three basic modes:

Sigma: water saturation detected via thermal neutron decay C/O: oil saturation detected with gamma spectroscopy

Water flow: water velocity from oxygen activation

In addition, in sigma mode, the three-detector array can be used to measure gas saturation. For wells with limited data, the tool can make standalone porosity and lithology measurements.

The shortest highly-adaptable pulsed-neutron tool in the industry

By using modern, ruggedized electronics, the RAS has been streamlined into a compact-robust device. The tool and telemetry-gamma ray casing collar locator together constitute the shortest reservoir analysis tool string in the industry, measuring a combined 16.9 feet (5.14m). “Its compact size makes it easier to deploy and reduces potential failure points,” said Casavantes. “It also means that it is very versatile and can be configured to suit different conveyance types and downhole conditions.”

At the center of the pulsed-neutron tool is a rugged neutron generator that operates in temperatures as high as 320°F (160°C) and has a typical service life of 1,000 hours—nearly double the lifespan of many other reservoir analysis tools.

Field-proven

With more than 500 successful runs completed primarily in the USA, Middle East-North Africa region, and China, it is a field-proven logging tool. It is used in a variety of applications, particularly in casedhole and openhole completions in surface read-out and memory-operating modes, on conventional tubing, e-Line, e-Coil, conductor and conventional slickline.

To help operators gather definitive saturation data, the pulsed-neutron tool is effective for the following applications:

  • 1) Saturation logging of water, oil and gas
  • 2) Time-lapse reservoir monitoring
  • 3) Contact logging and time lapse contact logging
  • 4) Oxygen activation (water flow) to determine water phase velocity
  • 5) Openhole emulation
  • 6) Wellbore performance (in combination with production logging)

As with all Hunter platform tools, the pulsed-neutron tool is designed for maximum flexibility. It is compatible with the company’s standard and array production logging technologies, spectral gamma ray and well integrity products in both surface read-out and memory-operating modes.

The pulsed-neutron tool, which is manufactured by Probe at its facility in Arlington, Texas, USA, is offered for purchase to oilfield service companies, NOC’s and IOC’s. The company provides thorough training and support, and frequently participates on-site during the first commercial use of the tool by a customer.

OTC 2018 – Day 1 Highlights

The 50th annual Offshore Technology Conference launched Monday in Houston, and we joined thousands of other industry players in a packed convention center to celebrate the technology and services that energize the world. More and more, providers are tasked with increasing tool reliability, efficiency, and elegance.

That’s why, just 6 months ago, we structured a strategic merger with Hunter Well Science. Joining both companies creates an exciting new possibility for the industry: an independent, single-source provider of comprehensive casedhole production and evaluation solutions.

We’ve been getting a lot of positive feedback here at OTC as we meet with service providers and operators. Throughout the first day, we chatted with dozens of people about topics ranging from sigma and C/O modes in pulsed-neutron technology to pressure ratings on permanent downhole gauges. And we’re looking forward too many more conversations to come as the conference ramps up.

Celebrate with Us at OTC 2018

OTC is celebrating its 50th anniversary, and like every year, Probe is taking its latest technology developments to Houston to celebrate! Having recently joined forces with Hunter Well Science, we’ve a lot more in store to share with our customers, too.

We’ll be joining over 2,000 other exhibitors and more than 70,000 attendees at the 50th annual Offshore Technology Conference from April 30th through May 3rd. Visit with us at Booth 3063 to learn about how our expanding suite of tools can give your customers a better understanding of their reservoir. We’ll have a team of experts on-site to answer your questions and discuss how you can get the downhole data you need, and we’ll be showcasing our proprietary technologies including:

Reservoir Analysis Sonde: gather critical reservoir data such as lithology, porosity, and fluid saturation of oil, water and gas by combining our proprietary three-detector pulsed-neutron tool fully combinable with our other industry-leading production logging and well integrity products.

Array Production Logging Tools: understand multiphase fluid ratios even in the high or low side of the well, and even in challenging applications such as deviated wellbores or extended laterals.

RADii™ segmented Cement Bond Tool: accurately measure and map the quality of cement behind the casing, even in HPHT environments.

iQ™ segmented Electro Magnetic Thickness Tool: monitor well integrity by accurately measuring casing thickness, internal diameter and material properties, including in high-pressure wells.

iPro™ Wireless Instrumentation solutions: remotely capture and transmit data such as pressure, temperature, flow and tank level for numerous applications including well testing, hydraulic fracturing break-through, wellsite surveillance and automation.

K-Perm™ Well Monitoring solutions: record and monitor pressure and temperature with globally recognized permanent gauges by Kuster, cost effective yet highly reliable transducer technology to confidently support your permanent installation requirements.

The Probe team looks forward to meeting you and discussing how we can address your during OTC in Houston. If you can’t make it, or need more information before the show, click here to submit your request!

Probe and Impact Selector Announce Strategic Transition of the I-Wheel Product Line

Mar 19, 2018 Today Probe and Impact Selector announced the expansion of their relationship establishing Impact Selector as the exclusive global supplier of I-Wheel Conveyance Optimization solutions. For the last several years, ISI and Probe have collaborated to offer commercial alternatives for I-Wheel technology and this expansion will facilitate the most efficient delivery to our customers. “With our recent merger with Hunter, Probe has continued to focus on expanding our portfolio as we strive to achieve global recognition as industry leaders in cased hole and reservoir monitoring solutions. Although I-Wheel is complementary to our strategy and tool offering, we feel that ISI’s focus on conveyance is a perfect fit for the I-Wheel. Such an arrangement will primarily benefit Probe customers by providing additional options and support for more comprehensive conveyance solutions,” said Federico Casavantes, CEO of Probe. “As the market evolves and ISI continues to implement its Intelligent Conveyance Technology offering, we are thrilled to be the exclusive provider of I-Wheel. ISI will be increasing our available inventory and including I-Wheel as an integral part of our tool configuration and conveyance support recommendations and analysis. I-Wheels, along with Roller Bogies, will provide our clients multiple solutions tailored to their specific needs, job parameters and well conditions. ISI will begin manufacturing I-Wheels, of all sizes to be available within our fleet, along with taking over all on-going support and maintenance of the I-Wheel currently in the market.” said David Lane President and CEO of ISI. ISI and Probe look forward to continuing our collaboration and service offering of I-Wheel. All future inquiries of I-Wheel product line, including any maintenance, re-certification, parts, or I-Wheel sizes, fit, availability, or technical materials should be directed to: Impact Selector 9933 Regal Row Houston, Texas, 77040 U.S.A. Telephone: +1 (281) 809-2527

About ISI

Impact Selector is the most reliable provider of conveyance technology solutions that mitigate risk, enhance efficiency, reduce cost, and improve safety for customers working in the oil & gas industry worldwide. www.impactselector.com

About Probe

Established in 1994, Probe is widely acknowledged as a leading specialist cased hole logging and reservoir monitoring technology supplier to oilfield services companies around the world. Headquartered in Houston, Probe operates from its technology and support centers in North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, North Africa and Asia, and offers additional support through an extensive network of global representatives.