U.K. Patent Number 2429995 was granted to Omega on the 22nd of July, 2009. Although Omega hold over 18 patents, this patent for "Downhole Signalling" is potentially the most significant.
Covering a novel technology which allows commands to be transmitted to a downhole tool, patent No. 2429995 describes how a tool may be signalled to open, close or a variety of other instructions without the use of control lines, fibre optics or any other fixed hardware but simply by changing the flowing well profile versus a time base.
Many tools exist which rely on a command from surface transmitted by "pumping" up the well and Omega pioneered this technology in the early 1990's, however, this new technique can work in any well whether fluid or gas without the need of any surface equipment other than the existing wellhead.
View PDF of patent certificate.
Omega's continuing success with the Self Opening Sandface Valve is well received at the 8th European Formation Damage Conference held in Scheveningen, in the Netherlands on the 29th of May 2009.
ABSTRACT - SPE 122181 (BP UK)
A novel timer activated sandface valve was developed that has significant impact on wellbore productivity by enabling improved wellbore clean up, particularly in high angle and open hole completions. This technology has been field trialled and proven in three wells in a North Sea field. The tool was developed from concept to installation in less than nine months including detailed engineering review and assurance.
Poor clean up was observed in several wells in a North Sea field. The wells exhibited high skin and no flow from the toe sections of the well due to the dominance of high productive intervals subject to high drawdown at the heel of the well. The timer activated sand face valve was developed with the key objective to deliver sequential clean up from the toe of the reservoir section without intervention or incremental rig time. The valves also deliver the functionality of a sliding side door for future water shut-off capability along the well bore.
The paper will present an overview of the technical challenge, detail development of the tool and processes used for assurance and include results of the field trial. The valve development combines a field proven timer activation mechanism with conventional sliding sleeve technology. The tool was developed without incremental resource and cost often required for product development utilising specifically designed lean technical assurance tools and failure mode and effects analysis processes. The result is a successfully field proven completion tool that is the basis for a new completion technique that has application in high angle wells in all oilfield applications.
For further information click on the links below:
SPE 122181
A Novel Timer Activated Sandface Valve to Improve Wellbore Productivity - (BP UK)
Links To Other Relevant Papers:
SPE 122231
Efficient Intelligent Well Cleanup using Downhole Monitoring
SPE 122267
Advanced Well Flow Control Technologies can Improve Well Cleanup
OMEGA COMPLETION TECHNOLOGY LTD
Unit 50 Howe Moss Avenue
Kirkhill Industrial Estate
Dyce Aberdeen
AB21 0GP
United Kingdom
Phone: +44 (0) 1224 772744
Fax: +44 (0) 1224 775667
We will be attending both the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition in Italy on the 20-22nd September 2010 and the 16th European Well Intervention Round Table at the Aberdeen Exhibition & Conference Centre on the 17th 18th November 2010. Please click on the links below for further information.
