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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.

Going the Distance for Charity

Fort Worth Probe Employee looking to raise $19,000 for North Texas Cancer Center by climbing Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro

In 2018 an estimated 1,735,350 new cases of cancer were diagnosed in the United States alone according to the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health. Coping with this diagnosis not only affects the patient, but also the spouse, partner, children, family and friends. That is why organizations like the Cancer Support Community North Texas are vital to those afflicted as well as survivors and their family and friends.

Cancer Support Community North Texas has three established clubhouses in Dallas, Collin and Tarrant counties where communities of those with cancer and their family and friends learn to live with cancer and beyond. The center describes its services as a “lifeline to strength, hope, support and guidance.”

Recently, Nabil Shayya, Petrophysics Manager at Probe, joined the Young Leadership Board of the Cancer Support Community North Texas. “As you might imagine, positive psychological support is a major factor in the fight against cancer,” Shayya said. “This disease cannot be avoided, and is not only devastating to the patient, it frequently causes emotional and financial havoc to the entire family. I hold this cause dear to my heart and I want to do as much as I can to help fight it.”

To achieve his objective, Shayya has pledged to climb the 19,341-foot Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, the highest peak in Africa and fourth highest in the world. “My goal is to raise $19,341, a dollar for every foot that I plan to tackle,” he states. “Every contribution, no matter how small, will be of immeasurable value. One-hundred percent will to go to the CSCNT to benefit families in need, so that they can keep supporting their loved ones in their plight.”

In the spirit of Probe’s commitment of giving back to our communities, the Company has also pledged to Nabil’s quest by offering to match dollar-for-dollar every contribution that he collects from our employee base and is also offering to publish his story to garner as much support as he can through our website and social media channels. “Probe is conformed by a very talented group of employees that give their all to develop, manufacture and support advanced technology for oilfield service companies,” said Federico Casavantes, CEO. “We are particularly pleased that Nabil has undertaken such a worthy cause and wish to encourage, not only the Probe team, but our entire community to reach out to help him succeed.”

If you would like to pledge to Shayya’s goal, a GoFundMe page has been established. To learn more about Cancer Support Community North Texas you can visit www.cancersupporttexas.org

Probe Introduces High-Speed Digital Telemetry at OTC 2019

Probe, a leading supplier of cased-hole logging and advanced monitoring technology to the global oil and gas and geothermal industries, today announced that it continues to make headway in offering its customers additional resources to dramatically increase their data logging capabilities through the adoption of its high-speed digital (HD) telemetry platform.

Known as the HD Platform, an increasingly wider range of high-speed, highly configurable digital sensors play critical – and unique -roles in helping operators to log data much more efficiently. In addition to its range of Standard and Array Production logging tools, Probe has been focusing on cased-hole formation evaluation solutions:

  • The MAC 24™ Multi-arm Caliper Tool, which makes it possible to identify integrity problems, such as mineral deposition, corrosion, wear or mechanical deformation, inside a completion.
  • The RADii™ Segmented Bond Tool, which measures and maps the quality of cement behind casing in oil and gas wells.
  • The RAS™ Reservoir Analysis Sonde, a three-detector pulsed-neutron logging tool for measuring reservoir saturation using Sigma and Carbon-Oxygen techniques.
  • The Spectral Gamma-ray Tool, an evaluation tool that offers insight into the radioactivity and mineral composition of cased-hole formations.

More data gathered per well intervention

“For years, the demand for logging tools that are highly configurable and capable of gathering high quality data more efficiently has continued to rise unabated, so we believe that continuing to expand our truly intelligent, effective formation evaluation solutions is critical to our customers’ success,” said Martin Barratt, VP Global Sales of Probe. “The HD Platform is the result of a concerted initiative to enhance our field-proven tools with the highest quality measurements in the industry. By enabling fully combinable configurations, we are confident that Probe delivers on every front. By employing HD Platform compatible logging tools, service providers can now acquire more data per run in every well intervention. This enables operators to meet key objectives with a minimal number of well entries, improving efficiency and reducing cost.”

The HD Platform: what it is and how it gathers data more efficiently

The new HD Platform consists of two parts: an inter-tool communications bus and mono-conductor telemetry which is managed by the Telemetry Control Unit (TCU). The inter-tool communications bus is a single wire bi-directional system that operates at 500kpbs, which is ample speed to accommodate many different combinations of logging tools. The controlling telemetry – or alternative memory tool – samples sensors at a rate of 50 times per second, allowing high data rate tools and, for example, multi-arm calipers to provide high vertical resolution. Commands and instructions are also sent to the sensors on the same single wire bus.

The TCU handles all communications to surface. This device controls the data collected by the tools below, and packages it for transmission to the surface system. It receives commands from the surface system via the fast downlink, and responds back to the surface, as necessary.

The TCU can be replaced by the Memory Logging Tool (MLT) allowing all HD sensors to be deployed on slickline and coil tubing, among others. The HD Platform is a modular design offering simple mechanical maintenance and supported by plug0in electronic boards. It is well suited to both conventional and remote environment operations. Looking ahead, as part of its continuing commitment to developing technologies that gather comprehensive data, Probe plans to integrate HD telemetry technology into all current and future cased-hole logging tools. To learn more about how the new HD Platform, visit Probe at OTC 2019 at Booth 2053.

Once Again, Probe is Ready for OTC!

“After a hard day’s work, there is nothing quite like the feeling that the mission has been accomplished, and that we are ready for the show,” said Justin Galloway, Marketing Coordinator, eariler this afternoon as he and Gavino Flores, Production Technician, completed setting up Booth #2053, this year’s location for Probe at OTC 2019.

As is well known in the Industry, the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC), is where energy professionals meet to exchange ideas and opinions to advance scientific and technical knowledge for offshore resources and environmental matters.

This year, OTC is celebrating 50 years since it’s first event back in 1969! Probe has been actively participating at this event year on year, and we are excited and ready to exhibit and share some of our most recent accomplishments with our friends, customers and industry colleagues. Be sure to take some time to visit!