volume 22010

canadian oilpatch technology guidebook & directory

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tech guide

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WE MAKE ITBETTERFOR YOUCGI is in the business of satisfying clients.Our 26,000 professionals in 100+ officesworldwide work side-by-side with clientseach day to help them reduce risks, containcosts and improve their bottom lines. That’swhy CGI has grown to serve more than 400clients in Western Canada.

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WE MAKE ITBETTERFOR YOUCGI is in the business of satisfying clients.Our 26,000 professionals in 100+ officesworldwide work side-by-side with clientseach day to help them reduce risks, containcosts and improve their bottom lines. That’swhy CGI has grown to serve more than 400clients in Western Canada.

Since 1984, we’ve provided one of the mostcomprehensive set of software solutionsand services for the oil and gas industry,from critical back-office applications such asPAS and PVR to specialized consulting andapplication development, integration andmaintenance services.

Visit cgi.com/oilandgas or contact us at 403-218-8300 to learn more and to experience the commitment™.

2 tech guideTable Of Contents

table of contentsnote froM the editorTechnology Drives Industry Revival 4

10 drillingGreener Drilling Days 11Servicecompanythrivesonefficientrecoveryofdrillingfluids

Taking A Hit To Make A Play 12Disposablemotorseeingonshoresuccess

Extreme Dream 13DerekLoganthinksthatunmanned,automated,remotedirectionaldrillingwillsooncometopass

Bit-To-Bend 15Newmotordesignhelpseasedirectionaldrillingproblems

Drilling Directory 18

24 ProductionFrom Bassano To The Moon 25PowergeneratorsmadeinsmallAlbertatownusedatoilandgassitesaroundtheworld—they’veevengoneintergalactic

Marketing To The World 26Albertacompany’sextensivereachprovidesrecessionprotection

Revving Up 27AdvantageProductsintroducesnewmotordesign

Production Directory 29

37 fracingTechnology Leap 38Companiesbigandsmalljointhefraytoadvancefracingtailoredtonewplays

Lightening The Load 42Bubble-attractingproppantboostsdistributionthroughoutfracturenetworks

Ice Breaker 44Inventorturnstonaturetofracturetightformations

Discrete Improvement 45Fracturenetworkmodellingsystemhelpsshalegasproducersdevelopagameplan

Open Channels 46Useoffull-borediameteriskeytonewlinersystem

49 data ManageMent & softWareBreaking The Mould 50Eschewingtheconventionalclient-vendorrelationship,companiescollaborateforback-officeIT

Timely Data 52Zedi’swellsiteportalimprovesdatatimeliness—andcouldhelpsavealotofmoney

What Is A Well? 54PPDM’smammothefforttostreamlinewelldescriptionlingocatchingon

Monitor And Manage 55Newsystemtransmitsdirectionaldrillinginformation,providesremoteaccesstodatainrealtime

Data Management & Software Directory 58

11

27

25

3tech guideTable Of Contents

canadian oilpatch Technology guidebook & directorywww.newtechmagazine.com

editorial and productionpublisher | Stephen Marsters smarsters@junewarren-nickles.comeditor | Maurice Smithmsmith@junewarren-nickles.comdesign/layout | Andrew Brienabrien@junewarren-nickles.comad traffic coordinator | Elizabeth McLean writers | Godfrey Budd, Lynda Harrison, Jacqueline Louie, Richard Macedo, James Mahony, Pat Roche, Elsie Ross, Paul Wells

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subscription informationDan Cole, (403) 209-3533Toll Free 1-800-387-2446

ISSN 1480-2147Canadian Oilpatch Technology Guidebook & Directory is a product extension of New Technology Magazine. New Technology Magazine is published 10 times a year by JuneWarren-Nickle’s Energy Group, a subsidiary of Glacier Media Inc., a leading Canadian information company with interests in daily and community newspapers and business-to-business information services.

Junewarren-nickle's Energy group2nd Floor, 816 - 55 Avenue NECalgary, Alberta, Canada T2E 6Y4T: (403) 209-3500F: (403) 245-8666Toll Free: 1-800-387-2446

president & CEO | Bill Whitelawgroup publisher | Agnes Zalewskisales director | Rob Pentneyart director | Ken Bessiepublications manager | Audrey Sprinkle

60 cOmmunicatiOnsCandid Camera 61Videosurveillancesystemcanhelpprotectassets

Mobile Matches 62Newserviceaimstomatchavailabletruckerswithloads

Communications Directory 63

64 health, safetY & envirOnmentVaulting ahead 65EnviroVaultstrivestobethecurrent—andfuture—standardintankdesign

Leak Finder 67Fibreopticspromiseswell-operatorsabetter‘ear’fordownholegasleaks

Safe And Sound 68Inventor’snewsheltersystemhelpslowerrisksforworkers

Health, Safety & Environment Directory 70

72 researchGeritol For Aging Waterfl oods 73AnalyzinghalfcenturyofwesternCanadianheavyoilwaterfloodsyieldssurprises

Mapping Uncertainty 74Usinggeostatisticstoanalyzereservoirs

Research Directory 76

74

61

4 tech guidenote from The editor

“maY YOu live in interesting times,” goes the proverb, inferring more curse than blessing. If nothing else, the oil and gas indus-try — with its booms and busts, its constant re-inventing of itself and its overarching infl u-ence on world aff airs — remains above all an interesting one to follow.

Indeed, there is nothing uninterest-ing about the transformation that has taken place in the natural gas sector in recent years, where what was considered a sunset industry in North America has risen phoenix-like from its ashes to roar back to life in the form of the shale gas revolution. Seemingly overnight, the focus has shifted from that of potentially large-scale imports of natural gas to replace once diminishing reserves to questions about what we can do with all the excess capacity coming online with the successful unlocking of each new shale gas play across the continent.

Similarly, though earlier, the solving of the oilsands puzzle has transformed the North American oil industry, allowing Canada — not so long ago thought to be running out of oil — to move to the front of the line of suppliers to the ravenous U.S. market.

Th e common denominator in both instances is technology. And much of that technology comes from Canada.

Find out more about FlexCord Linepipe for your next project.

Visit: www.flexpipesystems.com

FlexCord.When Pipe Pressure Spikes,

Your Heart Won’t.

TM

If your pipelines are prone to severe pressure pulsations Flexpipe Systems has an innovative solution: FlexCord Linepipe.FlexCord Linepipe combines the benefits of a light-weight spooled, corrosion resistant system with the strength and cyclic durabilityof steel. Helically wound, galvanized steel cords ensure the high level of fatigue resistance required for severe cyclic conditions. Likeall Flexpipe Systems products, FlexCord Linepipe helps you decrease pipeline project costs, reduce your environmental footprintand eliminate costly corrosion inhibitor programs. And with its ease of installation, production can be online in nearly half the time.

So the pressure is off of you… and your pipeline too.

It Pays to be Flexible.

Helically WoundGalvanized Steel Cords

High DensityPolyethylene Liner

High DensityPolyethyleneJacket

Barrier Layer

www.savannaenergy.com

how do you reinvent well servicing?ask Savanna

Savanna Well ServicingSavanna Well ServicingSavanna Well Servicingwww.savannaenergy.com

Savanna Well Servicingwww.savannaenergy.com

Savanna Well ServicingSavanna Well ServicingSavanna Well ServicingSavanna Well ServicingSavanna Well ServicingSavanna Well ServicingSavanna Well ServicingSavanna Well ServicingSavanna Well ServicingSavanna Well Servicingwww.savannaenergy.com

Savanna Well Servicingwww.savannaenergy.com

Savanna Well Servicing

how do you reinvent well servicing?how do you reinvent well servicing?

Technology drives industry revivalTh e successful separation of bitumen from

the sand, clay and water entrapping it, and the advanced in-situ extraction methods that would follow, were the result of decades of research, development, piloting and no small measure of sheer determination to make it work. Th e payoff has been the recognition of the Alberta oilsands as the biggest reserve of oil outside the Middle East.

Diff erent types of technology solved the shale gas conundrum, initially in the Barnett shale of Texas, where advances in horizontal drilling and multistage fracturing perfected techniques that spread like wildfi re to shale gas basins throughout North America and now the world. Cutting-edge fracturing and horizontal drilling innovations in Canada, where resources are challenging at the best of times, have helped hone those methods to the point shale gas plays are taking off in various basins across the country.

It is that kind of innovation, and the unconventional thinking and unrelenting perseverance often behind it, that is celebrated in our annual Tech Guide: Canadian Oilpatch Technology Guidebook & Directory and its sister publication, New Technology Magazine. In this year’s Tech Guide, we highlight success stories in various sectors of the oil and gas industry, from fractur-ing technology expertise to advances in drilling and production, health and safety innovations and the latest in data management and software updates.

Successful development of the oilsands and of shale gas resources due to advances in new technologies has fundamentally altered the petroleum industry in ways few could have pre-dicted a decade or two ago. It has led to a resurgence in oil and gas production while creating new jobs and increasing government revenues. And it has fostered an environment conducive to investment and the growth of junior and intermediate oil and gas companies while luring the supermajors back to the North American fold. Certainly, in this case, the industry’s “inter-esting times” amount to more blessing than curse.

Welcome to the Tech Guide!

Maurice Smith, Editormsmith@junewarren-nickles.com

Find out more about FlexCord Linepipe for your next project.

Visit: www.flexpipesystems.com

FlexCord.When Pipe Pressure Spikes,

Your Heart Won’t.

TM

If your pipelines are prone to severe pressure pulsations Flexpipe Systems has an innovative solution: FlexCord Linepipe.FlexCord Linepipe combines the benefits of a light-weight spooled, corrosion resistant system with the strength and cyclic durabilityof steel. Helically wound, galvanized steel cords ensure the high level of fatigue resistance required for severe cyclic conditions. Likeall Flexpipe Systems products, FlexCord Linepipe helps you decrease pipeline project costs, reduce your environmental footprintand eliminate costly corrosion inhibitor programs. And with its ease of installation, production can be online in nearly half the time.

So the pressure is off of you… and your pipeline too.

It Pays to be Flexible.

Helically WoundGalvanized Steel Cords

High DensityPolyethylene Liner

High DensityPolyethyleneJacket

Barrier Layer

6 tech guideList of Advertisers

Arrival Oil Tools ........................................................ 8, 9 ArrivalOilTools(www.arrivaloiltools.com)specializesintheengi-

neeringandmanufacturingofdownholedrillingtoolsfortheoilandgasindustry.Arrivaltakesagreatamountofprideinbeinganinventive,dynamicandhighlyenergeticcompanyfocusedonthefollowingthreeprinciples:innovation,responsivenessanddelivery.

Brother’s Specialized Coating Systems Ltd. ............. 28 Brother’sSpecializedCoatingSystemsLtd.(www.brotherscoat-

ing.com),headquarteredinEdmonton,developsandusesspecializedcoatingtechniquesforthebenefitofindustryacrossWesternCanada.

CGI ............................................................................ IFC CGI(www.cgi.com)combinesacontinuumofconsulting,systems

integration,andITmanagementandbusinessprocessserviceswithoilandgasexpertisetohelporganizationscreateagileandcost-effectiveinfrastructures.

Calfrac Well Services Ltd. ....................................... OBC CalfracWellServicesLtd.(www.calfrac.com)hasbecomealead-

ingindependentproviderofspecialtydesignedfracturing,coiledtubing,cementingandwellservicingsolutionsthataredesignedtoincreasetheproductionofhydrocarbonsfromwellsdrilledthroughoutWesternCanada,theUnitedStates,Russia,MexicoandArgentina.

Departure Energy Services ................................. 16, 17 DepartureEnergyServices(www.departureenergy.ca)isa

customer-focusedproviderofdirectionaldrillingservices,committedtodeliveringexceptionalvaluewithwellestablishedtechnologies.

Eagle Drilling Services Ltd. .................................. 22, 23 EagleDrillingServicesLtd.(www.eagledrillingservices.ca)was

establishedin2005byDerrickBigEagleandRobMacCuish.Sincethen,thecompanyhasgrowntobecomeoneofthemostefficientandrespectedcontractdrillersinthebusiness,havingwonseveralindustryawards.

Enviro Vault Ltd. ........................................................ 69 EnviroVaultLtd.(www.envirovault.com)addressesenvironmental

concernsposedbyleakingvalvesandpipingonoilfieldstoragetankswithitsEnviroVaultproduct,aninternaltankchamberconcept.Thetechnologyaddressesthehighservicecostsandsafetyconcernsassociatedwithspillcleanupandfrozenvalves.

Expro Group Canada Inc. .................................... 34, 35 ExproGroupCanadaInc.(www.exprogroup.com)leadstheway

inwellflowmanagement.Thecompanyprovidestheservices,productsandexpertiseitscustomersneedtomeasure,improve,controlandprocessflowfromtheiroilandgaswells.

Flexpipe Systems ........................................................ 5 FlexpipeSystems(www.flexpipesystems.com),adivisionof

ShawCorLtd.,manufacturesandsellsaspoolablecompositepipelinesystemusedforoilandgasgatheringsystems,waterdisposal,CO2injectionpipelines,andotherapplicationswhereacorrosionresistant,highpressurepipelineisrequired.

New Technology Magazine is the first word on oilpatch innovation. SubScribe Today!

Order New Technology Magazine right now and save 50% off the annual subscription price. Get a one-year subscription for only $60*! Your annual subscription includes 10 issues of New Technology Magazine, the annual Tech Guide and access to our archives at newtechmagazine.com.

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List of advertisers

7tech guideList of Advertisers

AMOS Asset Management & Optimization System

geoLOGIC systems ltd. ........................................ 53, 57 geoLOGICsystemsltd.(www.geologic.com)wasfoundedin1983

asanindependentsoftwarecompanywithagoalofprovidingimprovedsoftwareanddatatotheoilandgasindustryanddeliver-ingamorecomprehensive,relevantdatasolution.

JuneWarren-Nickle’s Energy Group ............................ 6 JuneWarren-Nickle’sEnergyGroup(www.junewarren-nickles.

com)isCanada’soldestandmostrecognizedenergypublishinghouse,withproductssuchasNewTechnologyMagazineandtheTechGuide.Providingauthoritativeprintandonlinepublica-tions,datasets,maps,charts,anddirectories,JuneWarren-Nickle’sistheCanadianleaderinoilandgas,construction,andalternativeenergypublishing.

NGC Product Solutions ............................................... 1 NGCProductSolutions(www.ngc-ps.com)makes,distributes,

innovatesandcreatesthenextgenerationproductsandsolutionsforthemostchallengingenvironmentsinconstruction,processandfluidhandlingapplicationswhileadheringtothehighestqualitydesignstandards.

Oil Lift Technology Inc. ................................................. 7 OilLiftTechnologyInc.(www.oillifttechnology.com)designs

andmanufacturesprogressingcavitypumpequipment,geardrives,beltdrives,rodlockBOPs,hydraulicpowerpacksandelectricgenerators.

Sanjel Corporation ..................................................... 36 SanjelCorporation(www.sanjel.com)isaprivatelyowned,Cana-

dian-based,internationaloilfieldservicecompanywithovertwoandahalfdecadesofindustryexperience.AsamajorcompetitorintheglobaloilandgasmarketandthelargestprivatelyownedoilfieldservicecompanyinCanada,Sanjeloffersfivespecializedservicelinesincludingacidizing,cementing,coiledtubing,fractur-ingandnitrogen.

Savanna Energy Services Corp. ................................... 4 SavannaEnergyServicesCorp.(www.savannaenergy.com)isa

premierecontractdrillingandwellservicingcompanyprovidingsafe,efficientandcost-effectiveenergyservicesthroughoutWesternCanadaandtheU.S.

Schlumberger Canada Limited .................................. 48 SchlumbergerCanadaLimited(www.slb.com)isaleadingoilfield

servicesprovider,trustedtodeliversuperiorresultsandimprovedE&Pperformanceforoilandgascompanies.

Source Energy Tool Services Inc. .............................. IBC SourceEnergyToolServicesInc.(www.sourceenergy.ca)provides

superiordownholeequipmentandservicesincludingworkover,completion,fishinganddrillingmotorsystems.

ContactTonyPobleteattpoblete@junewarren-nickles.comforinquiriesaboutadvertisinginthe2011editionofTech Guide: Canadian Oilpatch Directory Guidebook and Directory

A small group of oilpatch veterans launched Arrival Oil Tools Inc. as an engineering and tool rental services fi rm in May 2009. In the wake of the global fi nancial meltdown and a slumping oil and gas sector, the timing — on the face of it, at least — could not have been worse. But the fi ve partners in the group were confi dent that industry would use the specialized tools they planned to develop. “The main focus at Arrival is to design and build drilling tools to be rented to the industry. These are tools we believe are needed to improve drilling effi ciency,” says Dan Robson, president and a partner at Arrival Oil Tools.

technologyprofileadvertorial

Arrival Oil Tools Inc.Backed by an experienced team, new fi rm launches a series of innovative directional drilling tools

The rapid-fi re sequence in which Arrival has brought a series of new downhole tools to the oilpatch suggests that the company, which has fi ve engineers on staff , is right on target. Over the past year, it has introduced fi ve new tools onto the market, applied for three patents, and has several more products for downhole applications in development.

This impressive debut is the result of a solid foundation. Arrival’s fi ve principals have extensive experience in downhole tool development, directional drilling both onshore and off shore, with, says Robson, “A strong emphasis on extended reach and horizontal drilling.”

Given Arrival’s track record so far, potential customers for the as-yet-to-be-launched tools, especially ones based in Western Canada, should not have to wait long. “All our tools are designed, spec’d, machined and assembled in Alberta,” says Robson.

Several members of the group that launched Arrival had previously worked together in drilling tool product development. This oft en entailed devising niche tools or equipment on a demand basis because what was needed just did not appear to exist. Partly because of that experience, says Robson, “We have a specifi c-issue-oriented approach to the development of new tools. People come to us and ask us to build a solution to a problem.”

A case in point is a proprietary debris management tool, called a Cutt ings Mobilizer, that Arrival commercialized this past year. The drilling conditions on an overseas ERD project were being stymied as a result of downhole cutt ings that the circulating mud had allowed to accumulate. “They needed a tool that would remove the cutt ings. By gett ing the cutt ings bed out of the hole, there’s less obstruction to running packers, and drilling improves,” says Robson.

Accumulation of cutt ings is oft en a problem on deeper, high-angle horizontal wells where there are pressure and fl ow-rate limits. The Cutt ings Mobilizer is a mechani-cally-based device designed to move the cutt ings out of the hole.

It can be run either in an open hole or in casing. It starts the process by creating turbulence. “It agitates the hole on the low side, where the cutt ings are, and gets the cutt ings back into the fl ow stream,” says Robson.

The VersaStabe, a downhole, hydraulically-actuated stabilizer, is another new tool from Arrival. Designed to control well-bore inclination in 2D directional drilling applica-tions, it reduces spiralling and saves tripping times as control of the variable gauge tool is activated while rotating. “It’s a new twist on an old tool as we’ve changed to a chevron blade design to reduce torque resistance,” says Robson.

Other Arrival tools that will soon be commercialized include an adjustable bi-directional reamer, a low-cost rotary steerable drilling tool and a surface-actuated downhole control system.

For more information, please contact:Dan Robson, president

Arrival Oil Tools Inc.T: 403 730 6660F: 403 730 8965

E: drobson@arrivaloiltools.comwww.arrivaloiltools.com

“The main focus at Arrival is to

design and build drilling tools to

be rented to the industry. These are tools we believe are

needed to improve drilling effi ciency.”

Arrival's VersaStabe tool

Innovative engineering. Downhole excellence.

the ULTIMATE in hole cleaning

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Debris Management Tool

Cuttings Mobilizer

Arrival Oil Tools Inc.

403.730.6660 | www.arrivaloiltools.com

TM

Designed for maximum performance and easy handling in horizontal or deviated wells, the Cuttings Mobilizer is useful in reducing torque and drag problems by removing cuttings resting on the low side of the wellbore, while strategic placement of clusterite and stabilizer orientation are tailored and built into the tool to assist in reaming operations.

By keeping the wellbore clear of cuttings, another major benefit of the Cuttings Mobilizer is the reduction of the ECD (equivalent circulating density).

The Cuttings Mobilizer incorporates the following features:

Short Overall Length: Designed for easy rig floor handling and more cost effective manufacturing and transportation.Conventional Right-Hand Wrapped Stabilizer: Full 360° support minimizes wear to the major diameter of the tool joint and rotor blades.Combination Left/Right-Hand Wrapped Stabilizer: Assists in hole cleaning and moving cuttings and debris during back-reaming operations.Clusterite Covered Leading Edges: Aggressive stabilizer edges break up large hole debris and cuttings but will not affect hole gauge.Cuttings Agitation: Rotor blades lift cuttings off of the low side of the borehole and auger them into the mud flow.

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* Pa

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ding

Innovative engineering. Downhole excellence.

the ULTIMATE in hole cleaning

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Debris Management ToolDebris Management Tool

Cuttings Mobilizer

Arrival Oil Tools Inc.

403.730.6660 | www.arrivaloiltools.com

TM

Designed for maximum performance and easy handling in horizontal or deviated wells, the Cuttings Mobilizer is useful in reducing torque and drag problems by removing cuttings resting on the low side of the wellbore, while strategic placement of clusterite and stabilizer orientation are tailored and built into the tool to assist in reaming operations.

By keeping the wellbore clear of cuttings, another major benefit of the Cuttings Mobilizer is the reduction of the ECD (equivalent circulating density).

The Cuttings Mobilizer incorporates the following features:

Short Overall Length: Designed for easy rig floor handling and more cost effective manufacturing and transportation.Conventional Right-Hand Wrapped Stabilizer: Full 360° support minimizes wear to the major diameter of the tool joint and rotor blades.Combination Left/Right-Hand Wrapped Stabilizer: Assists in hole cleaning and moving cuttings and debris during back-reaming operations.Clusterite Covered Leading Edges: Aggressive stabilizer edges break up large hole debris and cuttings but will not affect hole gauge.Cuttings Agitation: Rotor blades lift cuttings off of the low side of the borehole and auger them into the mud flow.

4

5

affect hole gauge.Cuttings Agitation:side of the borehole and auger them into the mud flow.

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drilling

11tech guidedrilling

BOS Solutions

greener drilling daysServiCe COmpAny ThriveS On effiCienT reCOvery Of DriLLinG fLuiDSBy James Mahony

Oilfield service cOmpanies planning to be around years from now will not go far wrong by making the environ-ment a priority today. If there’s a lesson in the recent experience of Calgary-based BOS Solutions Inc., which manufactures drilling fluid treatment systems, that’s likely it.

The company specializes in the efficient use and recycling of drilling fluids, something that might have been a non-starter 20 years ago, but has grown steadily since Canadian and U.S. regulators began cracking down on the use and disposal of drilling fluids.

Apart from reducing the footprint of drill-ing operations, the setup of the company’s systems is one of the fastest in the industry. According to Ryan Pilsner, BOS chief operat-ing officer, a typical set-up takes about 45 minutes from the time the truck arrives onsite. Instead of several loads, the BOS truck has just one load to haul, simplifying the logistics of moving.

While the exact BOS system varies depend-ing on whether oil-based or water-based mud is used, it usually includes the BOS multi-sectioned mud tank and two centrifuges, although other hardware is sometimes used.

Some of the equipment, such as the BOS flocculation tank, is unique. Unlike other “floc” tanks, it’s divided into nine sub-tanks or cells. During operations, drilling fluid flows from the well to the tank, eventually mak-ing a full circuit of the cells. Along the way, polymer and calcium are added as the mud is agitated, causing solids to clump and fall to the bottom of each cell, where suction draws them off for further processing.

Viewed from above, each cell or sub-tank shows gradually more clear water and fewer solids as the mud flows from cell to cell, until only clear water remains when the ninth cell is reached. By then, almost all solids — such as barite, bentonite and other additives — are drawn off and run through centrifuges, reduc-ing them to a dry, compact form, while the remaining water can be recycled.

A trend that has helped BOS is the indus-try’s use of oil-based drilling fluids. Before

invert, the oilpatch relied on water-based muds that were easier to dispose of and easier on the environment. Stricter environmental rules governing oil-based muds mean companies need to properly dispose of drill cuttings and excess fluid, often trucking them to offsite disposal areas. The less they have to move, the better.

In business since late 2003, BOS at first relied on water-based mud management for its bread and butter. Just over two years ago, however, it began offering oil-based mud treatment. The result is that invert management now makes up about 60% of the company’s business, much of it south of the border.

The extent of the shift to invert came as a surprise, Pilsner says. Planning to focus on water-based fluids, the company put several such tanks into service. Yet, in order to diversify, BOS also built a prototype tank for oil-based muds.

“Later, we got feedback from customers,” says Pilsner. “We decided to go ahead and build five more tanks. As soon as we did, our salesman came back and said we needed more. It was quite a surprise.”

Using a closed-loop, pitless drilling system, the BOS tank allows the rig to drill with oil-based mud with minimal product loss. As the mud is filtered, solids and impurities are drawn off and centrifuged, allowing the operator to re-use the oil and stack the solids for later disposal. When solids have to be moved, they’re reduced to a light and compact form.

A going concern in Canada for six years now, BOS only entered the U.S. market in 2007. Shortly thereafter, the U.S. made up between 10 and 15% of BOS’s total North American business. Since then, the figure has quadrupled.

Today, the company has 44 systems operating in the U.S., versus 18 in Canada. The spike in U.S. business put BOS in the news last fall, when the Alberta government honoured a number of businesses with track records for exports.

BOS Solutions was one of three finalists in the New Exporter category for the Alberta Export Awards in the spring of 2009. Organized by the Alberta branch of the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, the awards recognize the achievements of Alberta businesses in exporting products and services. ■

Contact for more informationRyan Pilsner, BOS Solutions, Tel: (403) 234-8103, Email: info@bos-solutions.com

↑floc tank

BOS’sfloctankisdividedintonine

sub-tanks

←fluid management

BOSsaysitstanksprovidetheflexibilitytouseonesystemtoperformseveraldiffer-entfluidmanagementoperationsduringthedrillingprocess.

12 tech guidedrillingThe motor Company

Because Of eXpensive drilling day rates running into the hundreds of thousands of dollars, disposable positive displacement motors have been used effectively offshore to help keep costs in check.

Operators run these motors on the end of their production string to make sure casing gets to the bottom. Th e motor lets the operator drill or circulate through tight spots and bridges, eliminating the need to trip casing and perform cleanout trips. In these cases, running a cost-eff ective disposable motor is inexpensive insurance.

Seeing this success off shore, Th e Motor Company, a Calgary-based service and supply outfi t, decided to bring the idea to Western Canada. With wells being drilled deeper and longer in the shale gas area of northeast British Columbia and heavy oil applications in Saskatchewan and Alberta, a new market is emerging, says the motor’s designer.

“We sold a bunch of [disposable motors] in the North Sea, some in the Gulf of Mexico,” says Dan Gretener, president. “Th ey run these on their fi nal casing string and that’s just to ensure they get their casing to bottom if they get into tight spots.

“If they have to pull their casing out of the hole and do a trip and everything else, that’s usually at least a day and a half, two days, sometimes a bit longer. With the rig costs you experience off shore, it’s a huge amount. Th at’s where the idea originated.”

Due to cost, use of disposable motors has been limited in Alberta, Gretener says. When needed for sacrifi cial purposes, vendors would typically employ a used, usually worn-out motor. Th e problem, though, is that many companies want new, more reliable variations. Recently, Th e Motor Company introduced the newly-fabricated disposable motor to Western Canada with positive results to date.

Taking a Hit To Make a PlayDiSpOSABLe mOTOr SeeinG OnShOre SuCCeSSBy Richard Macedo

Th e purpose-built GeoDrive disposable motors are priced to be left in the well and engineered to handle cementing. Th e most practical use in Western Canada is in liner installations, Gretener notes, citing success in a particular application in northeast B.C.

“We can build a disposable motor [that’s less costly],” he says. “Th ere are areas in Alberta in the heavy oil area and southeast Saskatchewan where they limit their horizontal reaches because they know they can’t get their liners out there. Th ey can only push so hard and they can only push so far.

“In the past, you didn’t put a motor on it because the cost of a motor was $60,000 or $70,000.”

Th e motors, he adds, are eff ective in deeper vertical wells along the Foothills and for shale gas development in northeast B.C.

Bruce Garland, drilling and completions lead for northeast B.C. with Nexen Inc., says while drilling a shale gas well in the Horn River Basin in early 2009, poor hole conditions caused problems running a 114.3-millimetre liner into a 156-millimetre horizontal section.

“Th ese issues became so dramatic that it became impossible to run the 114.3-millimetre liner past the intermediate casing point,” he recalls.

After numerous failed attempts, including casing scraper runs and wiper trips to clean the intermediate string to a point where the liner could be run to bottom, Nexen searched for another method.

“It was Th e Motor Company’s disposal mud motor that provided the most cost-eff ective solution to aid in running the liner top [to] bottom,” Garland says. “Th e motor along with a rollercone bit were run at the bottom of the 114.3-millimetre liner, enabling us to wash

through the sand build-up inside the ... intermediate cas-ing and successfully place and cement the production liner on bottom.”

Th e motors are also used in snubbing operations where the operator wants to drill out plugs and drop the motor on the bottom, eliminating the need for additional snubbing in and out of the wellbore.

“We’ve drilled in excess of 100 hours with these motors [in] conventional drilling without a problem,” Gretener says. “Th e big thing we had to do was bring the costs down to

a level that would appeal to the market here.“We’ve redesigned a lot of the internal

components. Some of that’s proprietary.”Th e design changes make the motors more

economic to fabricate and machine. Th ey’ve been in commercial operation since the end of 2009.

“Although these motors are labelled disposable, they have gone through rigorous testing and are built with only new compo-nents,” Gretener says. ■

Contact for more informationDan Gretener, Th e Motor Company, Tel: (403) 230-3055, Email: dgretener@themotorcompany.ca

↗inexpensive insurance

Originallydesignedforoffshoreapplication,TheMotorCompany’sdisposablemotorsaregainingafootholdinWesternCanada.

13tech guidedrilling

extreme engineering

as the fOunder of Extreme Engineer-ing Inc., Derek Logan isn’t afraid to think big and dream bold. In fact, he and his company have already introduced unmanned measurement-while-drilling (MWD) tools that have become an industry leader and are continuing in their quest to push the enve-lope even further.

“If I were to take a look at what our goal is, it’s to bring cost-effective technologies to the marketplace that reduce the costs to the producer, increase the drilling efficiency for the producer and reduce manpower on loca-tion. Simply put, our goal in life is to reduce the cost of drilling a wellbore with technol-ogy,” he explains.

“What’s coming down the pipeline, what does the future hold? I think the dream of the industry is to be able to have minimal personnel on location, maximum control of the wellbore, and minimum health, safety and environmental [HSE] risk.”

Unmanned, automated, remote directional drilling, anyone? Logan thinks it’s within reach and can be attained sooner rather than later. He says that Extreme has already got “most of the pieces of the puzzle in place” for unmanned MWD with central control from an offsite command centre.

“We can have MWD operators sitting there watching the monitors in the command centre and adjusting and tweaking remotely without anybody knowing. We can now take a directional driller and we put him in a pod, in a room, and he sits there and sees the same screen but his decision-making process is dif-ferent than the MWD operator,” Logan says.

“So if you marry the two together you now have this semi-automated process. You’ve got less people, lower costs and lower HSE [risk]. You have higher performance because you’ve

Extreme dreamDerek LOGAn ThinkS ThAT unmAnneD, AuTOmATeD, remOTe DireCTiOnAL DriLLinG wiLL SOOn COme TO pASSBy Paul Wells

got experts looking at multiple wells and they are seeing repetition — they’re getting familiar with an area, familiar with a rig, familiar with the performance of particular components. It’s something that we’re working towards. Once you can demonstrate a remote MWD and directional drilling operation, the next step is to integrate a closed loop drilling control system with a rotary steerable system or an automated rig. Then you can start to see the genesis of the unmanned, automated remote process.”

In 2001, Logan and his partners flicked the switch on Calgary-based Extreme Engineer-ing with a singular focus — to perfect an unmanned MWD concept that would change the industry by allowing drillers to execute their programs with increased precision, diminish their footprint and reduce their manpower requirements. A tall order, to be sure — game-changers usually are — but one that the spirited entrepreneur and 30-year veteran of developing tools for the oilpatch was confident that he could fulfil.

“I had been building MWD tools for close to 30 years and the technology involved in those tools was always the best you could get your hands on — you’re always trying to get your hands on the best software, the best hardware, the best electronics, the best minds. But no

matter what you did you always had to put people on location to run it,” Logan says.

“As well, you had your footprint and your safety issues. You had guys driving tens of thousands of miles a year and you couldn’t get away from that. All of these things put a burden onto the product. Your cost for pro-viding that service was outrageous.”

So he and Extreme Engineering set out to build a better mousetrap. But rather than simply improve upon legacy technology the group opted to start essentially from scratch.

“When we put Extreme Engineering together back in 2001, one of the criteria we set was, ‘OK, guys, let’s do it all over again. Let’s take a clean sheet of paper and when we get done developing these tools we should have enough science and technology to be able to put these tools in the ground and let them run automatically without anybody on location,’” Logan says.

“So we put all of our past experience together with the latest technology advances into the XPulse and XEM projects and we produced a product that you could take into the field, put it into a drill collar and literally walk away,” he says. “The tools are designed to be left in the BHA [bottomhole assembly], moved with the rig, picked up and drilled with over a period of many weeks, even months, without service personal going to location.”

And in doing so, Logan notes that the tool automatically took care of itself. It recognized what was going on in the BHA when the drilling operation was underway. The surface equip-ment was smart enough to automatically pick up the signal and display the data so the driller, who is the end user, simply had to look at the information displayed and make the required drilling operational adjustments.

“The data just magically, mystically shows up on a screen. In doing that, we were able to bring the costs down because you didn’t have to carry two or three highly-trained guys for every job, each of whom was costing $800 to $1,000 a day,” he notes.

Since being introduced into the market in 2004 the products — called XPulse Survey on Connection and XEM Telemetry (see New Technology Magazine, September 2006) — have proven their worth in the field and become industry leaders.

Tool timeIn a nutshell, XPulse and XEM are an unmanned MWD directional survey service product

line that was the first of its kind when Extreme introduced it into the marketplace. Logan explains that during normal drilling operations XPulse automatically transmits and decodes surveys every time a new connection is made, with no operator involvement. The survey time for this on a jointed pipe application is zero, and only one minute for surveys when used on a coiled tubing rig.

“ The data just magically, mystically shows up on a screen. In doing that, we were able to bring the costs down because you didn’t have to carry two or three highly-trained guys for every job, each of whom was costing $800 to $1,000 a day.”

14 tech guidedrillingextreme engineering

↓extreme surface kit

Theruggedandcompactsurfacekitpermitsminimalintrusionforthedrillingcrew.Automateddatadetectionanddecodingisachievedwithsophis-ticatedDigitalSignalProcessing(DSP)run-ningonastandalonetabletcomputer.

“At Extreme Engineering this is referred to as a net zero eff ect on drilling operations, as no rig downtime is incurred. Other methods to take just one single-shot wireline survey could take 30 to 45 minutes. Even competitors' conventional hydraulic survey tools have historically taken 10 to 15 minutes or more,” he says.

“Th e time saved from Survey on Connection translates into a more effi cient drilling operation, because less time saves dollars in your operating budget. In addition, more data means more reliable and accurate information. Th is will translate into higher ROP [rate of penetration] as the rig crew learn to recognize local drilling tendencies and have confi dence to apply more weight on bit knowing they will have an MWD quality survey within the next 10 metres.”

Where XPulse communicates with pressure pulses imposed onto the drilling fl uid, electro-magnetic (EM) telemetry communicates by emitting EM signals into the Earth’s formations. Similar to XPulse, XEM surveys are taken when the pumps are turned off and new pipe connections are made. Th e data is then transmitted to the surface receiver and decoded to the doghouse display. Th e system is designed to allow for continuous drilling without the cost-intensive hassle of stopping operations to perform surveys.

“Th e XEM can be used in normal drilling applications [similar to XPulse] and it has the added advantage of being able to communicate in an underbalanced drilling medium,” Logan explains. “XEM also adds value with its higher data rate and can be utilized when drilling rate of penetration is aggressively too fast for a mud pulse telemetry system. XEM has no moving parts and therefore has less risk of mechanical failure and/or erosion.”

XEM and XPulse can also provide the necessary information operators need to directionally steer the well. Th e XEM product line has the added value of providing pressure while drilling, gamma ray logging and signifi -cantly higher data rate transmissions. In keeping with Extreme’s philosophy there are no personnel necessary for this operation, unlike common EM-MWD applications. Extreme has drilled over 900 wells with a local directional drilling provider working for a major producer in southern Alberta without having an MWD operator on location.

All of Extreme Engineering’s product service lines are tied into a Calgary-based command centre that allows support staff to remotely troubleshoot and for the company to provide real-time assistance to rig operators 24/7 when required.

“We’re sitting here watching what’s happening in the various locations. So if Joe Driller is a new guy and doesn’t quite know what he’s doing — it’s not his fault, he’s just new — our com-mand centre tech will be watching the performance of the system and send a text message directly to the MWD monitor or pick up the phone and go straight to Joe and say, ‘Joe, what you should be doing is this, this and this,’ and then you’re going to get much better usage of the tool,” Logan explains.

“So the command centre emphasizes the unmanned aspect of the tool but it gives these rigs a dedicated, experienced guy watching, as if you’ve got an MWD operator sitting in a trailer, eating bologna sandwiches and drinking coff ee at a cost to Extreme and the producer.”

growing recognition Logan says the hard work and dedication of the Extreme Engineering team is a source of

pride, as are the awards that have been bestowed upon the company in recent years. In 2007, Extreme received a coveted Alberta Science and Technology (ASTech) Leadership Foundation award for Outstanding Commercial Achievement in Alberta Science and Technology (for corporations having gross sales less than $25 million per annum). Th e acknowledgement was another in a series of awards and accolades that have characterized Extreme’s rapid growth since its launch in 2001.

Extreme has received considerable recogni-tion for its ability to successfully seek answers to fundamental problems and fi nd solutions that are at once creative and practical. Among its many accolades are the prestigious R&D 100 status awarded in 2003 by R&D Magazine, an honour Logan views as the technological equivalent of the Oscars.

“Th e ASTech award confi rms Extreme’s commitment to excellence in the areas of downhole drilling,” he says. “Our engineering and manufacturing business, coupled with a successful operational division, has helped us understand how to build better tools that achieve the unmatched level of reliability and functionality that have become our hallmark across the industry.”

One of the world’s powerhouse service and supply companies also took note of Extreme’s accomplishments and decided to make Logan’s creation part of its stable of assets when Schlumberger announced in June 2008 that it had acquired the business of Extreme Engineering.

In keeping with Extreme’s vision to off er low-cost, high-performance unmanned drilling tools, the company is currently developing a simple and cost-eff ective device that will measure mechanical aspects such as shock, vibration and slip stick. Th e device will be an add-on to XPulse and XEM systems. Th is data will be presented to the driller in an unmanned, automated and easy-to-interpret visual display.

Similar to the market acceptance of XPulse Survey on Connection, Logan expects this product to become commonplace for any and all drilling applications. Th e device will advise and warn the drilling crew if and when they have entered into a destructive downhole mode that will damage the BHA, MWD tools and decrease their ROP. Although these measurements are not new, to have them available for the rig crew in a low-cost unmanned off ering is unique. Th e product will also allow Extreme’s command centre to monitor and advise when the MWD system is being subjected to a drilling environment that will ultimately cause a downhole failure.

Currently in fi eld trials, this new product is already demonstrating its value to the drilling process by off ering the recognition of what is happening downhole during the drilling pro-cess. “Providing accurate information about when the BHA is in a slip stick mode and/or when it is in a high lateral vibration mode with shock levels exceeding 500 to 600 Gs has allowed us to alter the drilling program in a manner that reduces the slip stick and lateral shock levels and hence increases the ROP and increases the reliability of the MWD, motor and bit,” Logan says. ■

Contact for more informationDerek Logan, Extreme, Tel: (403) 537-5818, Email: dlogan@Extremeeng.com

↙one unmanned tool

Theunmannedopera-tionismobilizedandde-mobilizedquicklyandconvenientlywithoneoperatorandapickuptruck.

15tech guidedrilling

wenzel Downhole Tools

neWs Of the success of a new motor design has sparked heavy demand for the product.

Calgary-based downhole drilling tools supplier Wenzel Downhole Tools devel-oped a new motor design that reduces the distance between the bit and the bend point in motors used for directional drilling applications.

A typical application is to set the bend at 1.41 degrees, then drill the curve using a combination of sliding and rotating to gener-ate an average build up rate of 12-14 degrees per 100 feet and continue drilling a lateral section by rotating the motor with the bend still set at 1.41 degrees.

Conventional motors with longer bit-to-bend distances require the motor to be set at a higher bend setting which cannot be rotated without signifi cant risk of motor damage when generating the 12-14 degrees per 100-foot curve. Th ey are tripped out of the hole so the bend setting can be reduced and then run back in the hole to fi nish the lateral section.

Using the short bit-to-bend tool allows customers to eliminate one trip, reducing non-productive time and saving them money. It also greatly reduces the risks that occur when rotating a conventional motor outside of its safe operating limits, like rotating the motors at too high of a bend setting in a curved wellbore.

News of the success and capabilities of this tool has reached potential custom-ers, the company says. Th is has caused a recent surge of demand for the tool.

Engineering manager Orren Johnson, who was responsible for the design of the new motor, says industry has had a tendency in the last couple of years to

drill wells with a bend setting that was higher than the company recommended.“Th e result of drilling with motors set at a high angle was an increased risk of failure,”

Johnson says. “One of the objectives is to allow them to drill the same curvature of well with the distance between the bit and the bend about half and consequently reduce the bending stress, drill string torque and other problems associated with a longer bit-to-bend length.

“Now it can be drilled with a much lower risk of damaging the motor.”Beyond this, though, there existed a challenge to have a motor that could drill a curve and

the lateral without having to trip after drilling the curve. Th is is particularly important as horizontal drilling continues to become the method of choice for operators. Th e short bit-to-bend distance will allow companies to accomplish this with a higher well curvature than was provided by previous motors.

“Th e general need or request for shorter bit-to-bend has been around for a very long time,” Johnson adds. “It’s been something we’ve been thinking about for a long period of time.”

Th e need appears more urgent now and became a higher priority partly because of the surge in horizontal drilling. Wenzel says that the fi rst short bit-to-bend prototypes were manufactured in 2008.

“Th e fi rst runs were at the end of 2008 [in] late December,” Johnson says. “We’ve had over 20 runs on it so far. Th e typical build-up rate achieved has been higher than expected.

“It has been able to generate well curvatures far better than conventional motors.”Th e fi rst commercial run of these motors are now in use. Preliminary run results suggest it

will work eff ectively, the company says.“Th ere is a cost savings in the amount of time it will take to complete a well,” Johnson says.

“In the wells where you would have to change the motor out after drilling the curve, now we can drill the curve and the lateral in one run.

“Th ere were some cases where they had a very diffi cult time maintaining the build rate in very soft shales and it’s anticipated this one will be able to maintain enough angle that they will hit their targets more eff ectively in this formation.”

Wenzel will market the product across North America, with the new technology having been applied in Alberta, Oklahoma, Wyoming, Pennsylvania and Texas in its initial runs.

“We really don’t think it’s limited to any specifi c fi eld,” Johnson says. ■

Contact for more informationOrren Johnson, Wenzel, Tel: (780) 702-5287, Email: Ojohnson@wenzel-downhole.com

Bit-To-Bendnew mOTOr DeSiGn heLpS eASe DireCTiOnAL DriLLinG prOBLemSBy Richard Macedo

of a new motor design has sparked heavy demand for

Calgary-based downhole drilling tools supplier Wenzel Downhole Tools devel-oped a new motor design that reduces the distance between the bit and the bend point in motors used for directional drilling

A typical application is to set the bend at 1.41 degrees, then drill the curve using a combination of sliding and rotating to gener-ate an average build up rate of 12-14 degrees per 100 feet and continue drilling a lateral section by rotating the motor with the bend

Conventional motors with longer bit-to-bend distances require the motor to be set at a higher bend setting which cannot be rotated without signifi cant risk of motor damage when generating the 12-14 degrees per 100-foot curve. Th ey are tripped out of the hole so the bend setting can be reduced and then run back in the hole to fi nish the

Using the short bit-to-bend tool allows customers to eliminate one trip, reducing non-productive time and saving them money. It also greatly reduces the risks that occur when rotating a conventional motor outside of its safe operating limits, like rotating the motors at too high of a bend

News of the success and capabilities of

drill wells with a bend setting that was higher than the company recommended.

Johnson says. “One of the objectives is to allow them to drill the same curvature of well with the distance between the bit and the bend about half and consequently reduce the bending the distance between the bit and the bend about half and consequently reduce the bending stress, drill string torque and other problems associated with a longer bit-to-bend length.

the lateral without having to trip after drilling the curve. Th is is particularly important as horizontal drilling continues to become the method of choice for operators. Th e short bit-to-bend distance will allow companies to accomplish this with a higher well curvature than was provided by previous motors.

Johnson adds. “It’s been something we’ve been thinking about for a long period of time.”

surge in horizontal drilling. Wenzel says that the fi rst short bit-to-bend prototypes were manufactured in 2008.

20 runs on it so far. Th e typical build-up rate achieved has been higher than expected.

will work eff ectively, the company says.

“In the wells where you would have to change the motor out after drilling the curve, now we can drill the curve and the lateral in one run.

very soft shales and it’s anticipated this one will be able to maintain enough angle that they will hit their targets more eff ectively in this formation.”

been applied in Alberta, Oklahoma, Wyoming, Pennsylvania and Texas in its initial runs.

Contact for more informationOrren Johnson, Wenzel, Tel: (780) 702-5287, Email: Ojohnson@wenzel-downhole.com

↙short stuff

ForWenzel’snewmotordesign,thebit-to-benddistanceisthreefeet.Currentmo-torstypicallymeasureoversixfeetfrombit-to-bend.

Departure Energy Services Inc. (DES) is a directional drilling services company that offers a unique combination of an owner-operated suite of proprietary downhole tools, an engineering approach to problem solving, and a track record of innova-tion and experience rarely found within a single management team.

“We have known from the beginning that we have to bring technical solutions to our customers. Otherwise we would be just another ‘me-too’ supplier with little or nothing innovative to offer the industry. We are focused on achieving problem-free wells and using engineering to deliver a better product to clients,” says Dan Robson, director of strategic development at Departure.

Launched less than four years ago, Departure has already built an impressive track record servicing clients with its suite of proprietary tools supported by expert operational advice.

The company developed its own line of downhole motors in order to have full engineering control over quality and design. “We designed these tools with all the latest bearings, metallurgy and coatings, so it would be better than the best available tools offered by third-party suppliers,” says Robson. The field-proven tools are available in a range of sizes from 4 ¾ to 9 5⁄8 inches.

The first technology that Departure developed was a low-cost alternative to the expensive closed loop vertical rotary steerable systems. The company’s proprietary G-Force Vertical Guidance Drilling System recently completed its

technologyprofileadvertorial

DES Provides Engineered Proprietary DDS Tools Supported By Expert Operational Experience

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© 2009 Departure Energy Services Inc. All rights reserved. Media no. DMM_0002 rev B Printed in Canada.

We’ll get you there.

Departure Energy Services’ G-Force™ Vertical Guidance System consists of a uniquely stabilized High Performance PDM with Tilt Module, Departure’s MWDLite™ System and software, which, after initial system setup by a qualified Departure Energy Services technician, enables steering operation of the Directional BHA by the drilling foreman and rig crew.

DES personnel can monitor well bore position through remote EDR (Electronic Data Recorder) access. Support to rig site personnel is provided by Departure’s on-call Senior Directional Drilling supervisors.

G-Force™ engineered stabilized performance directional drilling assemblies are configured according to hole size, geographic location, geology, bit selection, well objectives, and well design.

G-ForceTM

Vertical Guidance ToolThe G-Force™ vertical guidance drilling system is a lower

cost alternative to full-service directional drilling operations and rotary steerables.

PROVIDING DIRECTIONAL SERVICES TO OILFIELD PROFESSIONALS.

Departure Energy

www.departureenergy.ca | 1-877-233-3940

Benefits • Eliminates fanning often required to stay vertical, thus increasing ROP. • Decrease in Torque and Drag. • Reduction in daily DIRECTIONAL/MWD supervision and associated costs. • System is compatible with any standard PDC or TRI-CONE drill bit. • Significant cost savings compared to high end rotary vertical systems. • Gamma Ray logging available independently, or as a system add-on. • MWD (Inc, Az, TF) System can be configured to be fully retrievable. • Additional Motor and String Stabilization can be provided. • Torque and Drag and BHA Modeling Engineering services available. • Final Borehole Survey computation provided.

deviation control | collision avoidance | vertical drills to KOPstay within hard boundaries | minimize well bore tortuosity

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100th well. Drilled for NAL Resources, this well set a record as the fastest ever drilled in Alberta’s Garrington field and was the deepest drilled to date, at 3,544 metres (11,627 feet), with the G-Force Vertical Guidance Drilling System.

This kind of high performance, at less than half the cost of closed loop vertical rotary steerable systems, results from G-Force’s uniquely stabilized PDM (positive displacement motor) with tilt module, trajectory control and real-time survey monitoring with Departure’s proprietary MWDLite system and software. “The G-Force is a modified drilling motor. It’s no different from a rotary steerable tool in terms of its

three points of contact, but it works mechanically without

complex electronics,” says Robson.

The G-Force increases the rate of penetration by eliminating fanning and decreasing torque and drag. By extending bit life, G-Force also reduces trip times, further cutting costs. Besides NAL, G-Force has several clients, including Harvest Operations Corporation, Trident Resources Corp., and some majors.

G-Force assemblies are configured according to hole size, geographic location, geology, bit selection, well objectives and hole design, and are compatible with PDC or tricone drill bits.

Departure continues to innovate and develop new tools and systems. These

include a focused gamma ray logging system add-on for G-Force and current development of an inclination-at-bit system for the Canadian and U.S. market.

The company’s combination of in-house expertise, experience and proprietary tools is helping it meet the challenges of today’s complex drilling projects. But Robson emphasizes, “Ultimately, it’s more about the knowledge base than expensive tools.”

Departure is headed by Larry Comeau, chairman and CEO, who has 34 years of directional drilling experience and has been involved in many industry firsts, including groundbreaking oil and gas technologies that have resulted in 27 Canadian and/or U.S. patents. He has managed operating staff in 33 countries.

The company has an operations base in Leduc, Alberta, has just opened a new operations base in Caspar, Wyoming, and will add its first Middle East operations base in the third quarter of 2010.

For more information, please contact:Bruce Bond, sales & marketing manager

Departure Energy Services Inc.T: 403 266 3940

E: bbond@departureenergy.cawww.departureenergy.ca

The company’s proprietary G-Force Vertical Guidance Drilling System recently completed its 100th well.

Drilled for NAL Resources, this well set a record as the fastest ever drilled in Alberta’s Garrington field and was the deepest drilled to date, at 3,544 metres (11,627 feet), with the G-Force

Vertical Guidance Drilling System.

G-F

orce

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uida

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Tool

www.departureenergy.ca

© 2009 Departure Energy Services Inc. All rights reserved. Media no. DMM_0002 rev B Printed in Canada.

We’ll get you there.

Departure Energy Services’ G-Force™ Vertical Guidance System consists of a uniquely stabilized High Performance PDM with Tilt Module, Departure’s MWDLite™ System and software, which, after initial system setup by a qualified Departure Energy Services technician, enables steering operation of the Directional BHA by the drilling foreman and rig crew.

DES personnel can monitor well bore position through remote EDR (Electronic Data Recorder) access. Support to rig site personnel is provided by Departure’s on-call Senior Directional Drilling supervisors.

G-Force™ engineered stabilized performance directional drilling assemblies are configured according to hole size, geographic location, geology, bit selection, well objectives, and well design.

G-ForceTM

Vertical Guidance ToolThe G-Force™ vertical guidance drilling system is a lower

cost alternative to full-service directional drilling operations and rotary steerables.

PROVIDING DIRECTIONAL SERVICES TO OILFIELD PROFESSIONALS.

Departure Energy

www.departureenergy.ca | 1-877-233-3940

Benefits • Eliminates fanning often required to stay vertical, thus increasing ROP. • Decrease in Torque and Drag. • Reduction in daily DIRECTIONAL/MWD supervision and associated costs. • System is compatible with any standard PDC or TRI-CONE drill bit. • Significant cost savings compared to high end rotary vertical systems. • Gamma Ray logging available independently, or as a system add-on. • MWD (Inc, Az, TF) System can be configured to be fully retrievable. • Additional Motor and String Stabilization can be provided. • Torque and Drag and BHA Modeling Engineering services available. • Final Borehole Survey computation provided.

deviation control | collision avoidance | vertical drills to KOPstay within hard boundaries | minimize well bore tortuosity

remote or site supervised

G-F

orce

™ V

erti

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uida

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Tool

www.departureenergy.ca

18 tech guidedirEcToryDrilling

Accudrill Inc.Bay 14, 702 - 18 Ave. Nisku AB T9E 7V8780-955-9337www.accudrill.com

Advance Drilling Ltd.400, 221 West EsplanadeNorth Vancouver BC V7M 3J3604-980-5973

Aero Drilling & Consulting Ltd.Box 263, Bentley AB T0C 0J0403-748-3603

Airways Rentals, Leasing & Sales4605 Gateway Blvd.Edmonton AB T6H 5C3780-451-2203www.airwaystrucks.com

AKITA Drilling Ltd.900, 311 - 6 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 3H2403-292-7979www.akita-drilling.com

Alta. Can. Oil Tool Int. Ltd.Box 370, Avonlea SK S0H 0C0306-868-2291

Ark Directional Services Inc.Box 10219, Airdrie AB T4A 0H5403-255-1055www.arkdirectional.com

Arrival Oil Tools946 - 55 Ave. N.E.Calgary AB T2E 6Y4403-730-6660www.arrivaloiltools.com

B.W. Rig Supply609 - 21 Ave.Nisku AB T9E 7X9780-955-8686www.hyduke.com

Baker Hughes Canada Company1000, 401 - 9 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 3C5403-537-3400www.bakerhughes.com

Beaver Drilling Ltd.910, 500 - 4 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 2V6403-265-6472www.beaverdrilling.com

Beck Drilling and Environmental Services Ltd.9919 Shepard Rd. S.E.Calgary AB T2C 3C5403-297-1399www.beckdrill.com

Bertram Drilling Corp.10 Main St., Box 100Carbon AB T0M 0L0403-572-3591www.bertramdrilling.com

Bico-Faster Drilling Tools Inc.805, 505 - 6 St. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 1X5403-262-5595www.bicodrilling.com

Big Sky Drilling Inc.Box 659, Oxbow SK S0C 2B0306-483-5132

Black Diamond Energy Services2000, 715 - 5 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 2X6403-206-4747www.blackdiamondenergyservices.com

B-Line Directional DrillingBox 1240, Elk Point AB T0A 1A0780-210-2225

BOS Solutions1200, 444 - 5 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 2T8403-234-8103www.bosrentals.com

Boundary Equipment Co. Ltd.10740 - 181 St.Edmonton AB T5S 1K8780-483-3133www.boundaryequipment.com

Brandette Well Servicing Ltd.Box 6150, Drayton Valley AB T7A 1R6780-542-3404www.brandette.com

Camaro Drilling Ltd.8, 4101 - 19 St. N.E.Calgary AB T2E 7C4403-250-2431

Canadian Association of Oilwell Drilling Contractors800, 540 - 5 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 0M2403-264-4311www.caodc.ca

CanElson Drilling Inc.515, 808 - 4 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 3E8403-266-3922

Cathedral Energy Services Ltd.1700, 715 - 5 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 2X6403-265-2560www.cathedralenergyservices.com

Champion Drilling Inc.Box 1090, Brooks AB T1R 1B9403-362-4400www.ensignenergy.com

Chinook Drilling2550, 300 - 5 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 3C4403-269-2612www.totalenergy.ca

Classic Oilfi eld Service Ltd5211 - 65 St.Lloydminster AB T9V 2E8780-875-3276

Columbia Oilfi eld Supply9280 - 25 Ave.Edmonton AB T6N 1E1780-437-5110www.precisiondrilling.com

Compass Directional Services Ltd.400, 525 - 11 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2R 0C9403-237-8799www.compassdirectional.com

drilling directory

19tech guidedirEcTory

Drilling

ContainerWest11660 Mitchell Rd.Richmond BC V6V 1T7800-561-9530www.containerwest.com

Control Drilling Service (1987) Ltd.5921 - 87A St.Edmonton AB T6E 5W6780-465-6006www.controldrillingservice.com

Cougar Tool Inc.7319 - 17 St.Edmonton AB T6P 1P1780-440-2400www.cougartool.com

Couturier Oilfi eld Anchors Ltd.6306 - 50 Ave., Box 5039Drayton Valley AB T7A 1R3780-542-6358www.couturieranchors.com

Cubex Limited12126 - 44 St. S.E..Calgary AB T2Z 4A2403-258-1544www.cubexltd.com

D & D Oilfi eld Rentals Corp.Box 1197, Redcliff AB T0J 2P0403-548-2700www.ddoil.net

Decarson Rentals1203 - 4 St.Nisku AB T9E 7L3780-955-9420www.essentialenergy.ca

Densak Pipe & Oilfi eld Trucking Service20 Strathcona Rd. S.W.Calgary AB T3H 1V5403-246-5551

Departure Energy Services Inc.1750, 700 - 6 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 0T8403-266-3940www.departureenergy.ca

Drilling Controls Canada Inc.607 - 22 Ave.Nisku AB T9E 7X7780-955-2400

Drilling Fluids Treatment Systems Inc. (DFTS)7530 - 114 Ave. S.E.Calgary AB T2C 4T3403-279-0123www.dfts.com

Dril-x-Fluids Inc.480, 840 - 6 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 3E5403-444-1517www.dril-x.com

Eagle Drilling Services Ltd.Box 312, Carlyle SK S0C 0R0306-453-2506www.eagledrillingservices.ca

Encore Coring & Drilling Inc.1345 Highfi eld Cres. S.E.Calgary AB T2G 5N2403-287-0123www.ensignenergy.com

Enerfl ow Industries Inc.4800 - 27 St. S.E.Calgary AB T2B 3M4403-279-9696www.enerfl ow.com

Ensign Energy Services Inc.1000, 400 - 5 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 0L6403-262-1361www.ensignenergy.com

Excalibur Drilling Ltd.700, 435 - 4 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 3A8403-269-2041www.excaliburdrilling.com

Excell Specialty Ltd.9516 - 62 Ave.Edmonton AB T6E 0C9780-437-2776

Extreme Engineering130, 3510 - 29 St. N.E.Calgary AB T1Y 7E5403-640-9494www.extremeeng.com

Foremost Industries LP1225 - 64 Ave. N.E.Calgary AB T2E 8P9403-295-5800www.foremost.ca

Garritty & Baker Drilling Inc.5715 - 56 Ave.Edmonton AB T6B 3G3780-433-8786www.garrittyandbakerdrilling.com

H.M.F. Oil Co. Ltd.408 Mississippian Dr., Box 938Estevan SK S4A 2A7306-634-7688www.hmfoil.ca

Halliburton Group Canada1600, 645 - 7 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 4G8403-231-9300www.halliburton.com

HiTech Fluid Systems Ltd.1800, 505 - 3 St. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 3E6403-547-2906www.hitechfl uid.com

Horizon Drilling Inc.900, 606 - 4 St. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 1T1403-290-0308www.horizon-drilling.com

Hyduke Drilling Solutions2107 - 6 St.Nisku AB T9E 7X8780-955-0360www.hyduke.com

Hyduke Machining Solutions2915 - 15 St. N.E.Calgary AB T2E 7L8403-250-5323www.stratex-mco.com

Impact Rock BitsBox 6448, Peace River AB T8S 1S3780-624-2640www.impactrockbits.com

Ironhand Drilling Inc.405, 535 - 10 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2R 0A8403-237-6789

Jomax Drilling (1988) Ltd.1700, 505 - 3 St. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 3E6403-265-5312www.jomax.ca

K & D Pratt Ltd.210 John Savage Ave., Box 279Dartmouth NS B3B 0C9902-468-1955www.kdpratt.com

K Tec Industries (2005) Inc.Box 1060Grande Prairie AB T8V 4B5780-538-1855

Komat DrillingBox 20126Medicine Hat AB T1A 8M4403-580-7476

Lory Oilfi eld Rentals Inc.1004 - 15 Ave.Nisku AB T9E 7S5780-955-2626www.oilfi eldrentals.com

Lougheed Welding & Fabrication (2005) Ltd.405 - 18 Ave.Nisku AB T9E 7T5780-955-3700www.lougheedwelding.com

Marlex Energy Services Company610 - 15 Ave.Nisku AB T9E 8A3780-955-7311www.marlex.ca

Marquis Alliance Energy Group Inc.1800, 800 - 6 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 3G3403-264-1588www.marquisalliance.com

Matco Manufacturing Ltd.Box 2, Site 2, R.R. 2Sexsmith AB T0H 3C0780-568-4484

MaxxiMat Inc.21074 - 5 St., Nisku AB T9E 7X4

780-979-6588www.maxximat.com

McCaw's Drilling & Blasting Ltd.4228 - 47 Ave., Box 2250Rocky Mountain House AB T4T 1B6403-845-3101www.mccawsdrilling.com

Mi Casa Rentals Inc.200, 435 - 4 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 3A8403-262-2288www.micasa-rentals.com

20 tech guidedirEcToryDrilling

N.O.V. Downhole2700, 144 - 4 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 3N4403-234-9999www.nov.com

Nabors Canada2800, 500 - 4 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 2V6403-263-6777www.nabors.com

Newsco Directional & Horizontal Drilling Services Inc.7000 Railway St. S.E., Box 8388Calgary AB T2H 3A8403-243-2331www.newsco.ca

NGC Product Solutions1B, 624 Beaverdam Rd. N.E.Calgary AB T2K 4W6403-295-3114www.ngc-ps.com

Noble Drilling (Canada) Ltd.4 Fl., 10 Fort William Pl.St. John's NL A1C 1K4709-758-4400www.noblecorp.com

NorthBasin Energy Services Inc.150, 707 - 10 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2R 0B3403-648-8600www.northbasinenergy.com

Northwell Rentals Ltd.9111 - 39 Ave.Edmonton AB T6E 5Y2780-437-7469

OK Drilling Services L.P.Box 700Red Deer AB T4N 5G6403-343-8860www.okdrilling.com

Pantera Drilling Inc.600, 407 - 8 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 1E5403-515-8400www.panteradrilling.com

Parsons Oilfi eld Services & Supply Inc.88 Scandia Rise N.W.Calgary AB T3L 1V6403-818-2005

Pason Systems Inc.6130 - 3 St. S.E.Calgary AB T2H 1K4403-301-3400www.pason.com

Patterson - UTI Drilling Canada Limited1450, 101 - 6 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 3P4403-269-2858www.patenergy.com

Peloton Computer Enterprises Ltd.450, 1000 - 7 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 5L5403-263-2915www.peloton.com

Petris Canada805, 734 - 7 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 3P8403-225-4954www.petris.com

Phoenix Technology Services LP.630, 435 - 4 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 3A8403-543-4466www.phoenixcan.com

Precision Drilling Corporation4200, 150 - 6 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 3Y7403-716-4500www.precisiondrilling.com

Prinoth Ltd.6815A - 40 St. S.E. Calgary AB T2C 2W7403-279-7271www.prinoth.com

Prudential Energy Services Ltd.11000 - 95 St. High Level AB T0H 1Z0877-926-9164www.prudentialenergy.ca

Quintera DrillingBox 1408, Brooks AB T1R 1C3403-501-3704

R & M Energy Systems Canada3703 - 98 St.Edmonton AB T6E 5N2780-465-9500www.rmenergy.com

RBI Canada 2000 Inc.5677 Burleigh Cres. S.E.Calgary AB T2H 1Z7403-255-3730www.rbi-canada.com

Richfi eld Equipment Ltd.337, 440 - 10816 Macleod Tr. SCalgary AB T2J 5N8403-236-0056www.richfi eldequipment.ca

Rig Locator2 Fl., 816 - 55 Ave. N.E.Calgary AB T2E 6Y4403-209-3500www.nickles.com/rig

Rotary Sales & Service9516 - 62 Ave.Edmonton AB T6E 0C9780-434-3621

Rowan Companies, Inc.1070, 99 Wyse Rd.Dartmouth NS B3A 1L9902-469-1973www.rowancompanies.com

Savanna Energy Services Corp.1800, 311 - 6 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 3H2403-503-9990www.savannaenergy.com

Saxon Energy Services Inc.1700, 700 - 4 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 3J4403-716-4150www.saxonservices.com

Schlumberger Canada Ltd.525 - 3 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 0G4403-509-4000www.slb.com

Sentry Pumping Units International450, 444 - 5 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 2T8403-775-7077www.sentryinternational.net

Simmons Group Inc.800, 906 - 12 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2R 1K7403-244-5340www.simmonsenergy.com

Smith Drilling & Remedial710, 396 - 11 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2R 0C5403-264-6077www.siismithservices.com

Smith International Canada, Ltd.710, 396 - 11 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2R 0C5403-264-6077www.smith.com

Smith Technologies710, 396 - 11 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2R 0C5403-264-6077www.smithbits.com

Source Energy Tool Services Inc.6402 - 56 St., Box 21006Lloydminster AB T9V 2S1780-808-8788www.sourceenergy.ca

Southwest Distribution Ltd.9691 - 45 Ave. N.W.Edmonton AB T6E 5Z8780-434-3473

Stoneham Drilling Inc.1020, 850 - 2 St. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 0R8403-264-7777www.stonehamdrilling.com

Strip-O-Matic Rentals & Sales Ltd.Box 73037, Edmonton AB T5T 3X1780-577-5112

T1 HDD Services Inc.2059 #3, 9899 - 112 Ave.Grande Prairie AB T8V 7T2866-814-5254www.t1hddservices.com

Tall Pine Drilling Ltd.Box 700, Bentley AB T0C 0J0403-748-2955www.tallpinedrilling.com

Tartan Controls Inc.6932 - 34 St.Edmonton AB T6B 2X2780-463-3366www.tartancontrols.com

Technicoil Corporation, Drilling Division1510, 555 - 4 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 3E7403-509-0700www.technicoilcorp.com

Teledrift Canada Inc.7, 4275 - 78 Ave. S.E.Calgary AB T2C 2Y4403-203-0840

Tempco Drilling Company Inc.Box 5543, Stn. ACalgary AB T2H 1X9403-259-5533

Terracon Geotechnique Ltd.140, 2723 - 37 Ave. N.E.Calgary AB T1Y 5R8403-266-1150www.terracon.ca

Terracon McKay Ltd.140, 2723 - 37 Ave. N.E.Calgary AB T1Y 5R8403-266-1150www.terracon.ca

Terroco Drilling Ltd.4044, 39139 Hwy. 2ARed Deer County AB T4S 2A8403-343-6236www.terroco.com

The Crossing Company Inc.1807 - 8 St., Nisku AB T9E 7S8780-955-5051www.thecrossingcompany.com

21tech guidedirEcTory

Drilling

The Motor Company 4525 - 6A St. N.E. Calgary AB T2E 4B2 403-230-3055 www.themotorcompany.ca

3D Drilling Tools Inc. 8135 Wagner Rd. Edmonton AB T6E 4N6 780-440-1922 www.3Ddrillingtools.ca

Total Energy Services Inc. 2550, 300 - 5 Ave. S.W. Calgary AB T2P 3C4 403-216-3939 www.totalenergy.ca

Tracer Supervision 1110, 340 - 12 Ave. S.W. Calgary AB T2R 1L5 403-261-7097 www.barlon.ca

Tracker Sales Ltd. Box 809, Bowden AB T0M 0K0 403-224-0000 www.trackersalesltd.com

Trendon Bit Service Ltd. Box 548, Redcliff AB T0J 2P0 403-548-7242 www.trendonbitservice.com

Treo Drilling Services L.P. R.R. 2, Ponoka AB T4J 1R2 403-783-5720 www.treodrilling.com

Trinidad Drilling Ltd. 2500, 700 - 9 Ave. S.W. Calgary AB T2P 3V4 403-265-6525 www.trinidaddrilling.com

Tri-Service Oilfield Manufacturing 9545 - 58 Ave. N.W. Edmonton AB T6E 0B8 780-434-9596 www.tsm.ca

Tristar Resource Management Ltd. 800, 815 - 8 Ave. S.W. Calgary AB T2P 3P2 403-262-8595 www.tstar.ca

Varel Rock Bits Canada Inc. 9926 - 29 Ave. Edmonton AB T6N 1A2 780-435-5706 www.varelrockbits.com

Viper Rentals & Services Ltd. 10709 - 95 St. High Level AB T0H 1Z0 780-926-3366 www.viperrentals.ca

Wenzel Downhole Tools Ltd. 1000, 717 - 7 Ave. S.W. Calgary AB T2P 0Z3 403-262-3050 www.downhole.com

Westquip Diesel Sales (Alta.) Ltd. 11720 - 181 St. Edmonton AB T5S 1M6 780-486-2645 www.westquip.ca

XI Technologies 1700, 734 - 7 Ave. S.W. Calgary AB T2P 3P8 403-517-0111 www.xitechnologies.com

XL Fluid Systems 102, 2531 Hochwald Ave. S.W. Calgary AB T3E 7K3 403-265-4344 www.xlfluids.com

X-Treme Energy Group 8014 Edgar Industrial Cr., Box 6239 Red Deer AB T4P 3R3 403-341-0067 www.xeg.ca

technologyprofile

advertorial

Eagle Drilling Services: Dedicated Employees Build Success

Founded in 2005 by Derrick Big Eagle and Robert MacCuish, Chairman of the Board, Eagle Drilling is a small drilling company based in southeast Saskatchewan, which now ranks in the Saskatchewan Top 100 Companies. The Carlyle, Saskatchewan–headquartered drilling services provider uses only the newest in drilling technology, and prides itself on the knowledge, experience and dedication of its workers.

“The whole thing — our full success rate — can be put on the shoulders of our people,” says Derrick Big Eagle, President and General Manager. “I’m the fi rst guy to admit I surround myself with good people in order to make myself look good. I think we did a very good job at that, and it shows by our reputation, utilization and low employee turnaround. Our people are the backbone of Eagle Drilling.”

Recently, Eagle Drilling reached a major milestone, achieving more than one million man-hours with no Lost Time Accidents. “Being able to reach that speaks to the responsibility of our employees — for themselves and for each other, really taking safety to heart, and we’re proud of that,” says Eagle Drilling Offi ce Manager Tina Twietmeyer.

Band Of BrothersEagle Drilling enjoys low employee turnover:

80 per cent of its employees have been with the company for two years or more. Some employees have worked together for the full fi ve years the company has been operating, while others have worked together for more than 15 years, at Eagle Drilling and at other fi rms. So it’s no surprise that crew members are close. They are more than co-workers: they

are friends, brothers and cousins. Workers look out not just for their own safety, but for the safety of each team member.

Safety is of the utmost importance at Eagle Drilling, where it is not just policy, but also an att itude that Eagle Drilling has instilled, from the president down to the newest fl oor hand. Gett ing To Zero is a company-wide goal, and it’s considered to be everyone’s responsibility. Eagle Drilling would never have achieved the safety milestones it has, if not for its safety-conscious, experi-enced, reliable staff .

People Are What Makes Eagle Drilling GreatEagle Drilling believes the company is only

as strong as the people who work for it. Eagle Drilling has 160 employees who are an invaluable asset and have grown with the company. They know the equipment and the rigs. Many helped build the rigs from the ground up, and can also repair and maintain them. They are familiar with the areas they work in, since most have lived and worked in southeast Saskatchewan for most of their lives. They are reliable and trustworthy. And that trust between employer and employee, is what makes a company successful.

Eagle Drilling has strong family values, with regard for its employees and their loved ones. The majority of employees live less than two hours away from location. Eagle Drilling believes it is important that workers can return home each night, since this allows them to maintain a healthy home and family life. The company also supports employee health by off ering stellar health coverage.

Making Local Investment A PriorityEagle Drilling management has more than

100 years of combined experience working in southeast Saskatchewan’s oil industry.

“We have a great experience level within our management team,” Big Eagle says. “We are all local boys that grew up on the rigs down here, and we have a good idea of how

southeast Saskatchewan works. I think that gives us an advantage over most others.”

Big Eagle, who has worked in the region for his entire life, is keen on helping small towns maintain their vitality, economic well-being and way of life. To this end, Eagle Drilling hires as many local workers as possible (currently, 85 per cent of its staff are local) and on average, invests $16 million in annual wages back into the local economy. The company also uses as many local services as possible, including parts, supplies and maintenance, with an average investment of more than $10 million each year going into southeast Saskatchewan’s economy. In addition, Eagle Drilling manufactures all of its rigs, each at a cost of approximately $7 million, through a company based in southeast Saskatchewan.

All Eagle Drilling rigs are equipped with the latest in drilling technology, for a safe, fast, reliable and cost-effi cient drill.

Eagle Drilling employees are committ ed to doing the best job possible, each and every time. “We would like to take this opportunity to thank the employees for their dedication,” Twietmeyer says.

For more information, contact:Tina Twietmeyer, Offi ce Manager

Eagle Drilling Services Ltd.T: 306.453.2506 F: 306.453.2508

www.eagledrillingservices.ca

Eagle Drilling Services, which specializes in drilling Bakken wells, is one of the most effi cient and respected contract drillers in the business. Your #1 Drilling Solution!

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Your #1 Drilling Solution!Capable of drilling any well

SE Saskatchewan orSW Manitoba has to offer

1,000,000 Man Hours

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Experienced Personnel

Cost Efficient Drill TimesSAFE; Operating at over

with Zero LTA’s

Office: 306-453-2506Located in:

Carlyle, SK

www.eagledrillingservices.ca

ProducTion

25tech guideProducTion

Global Thermoelectric

a BassanO, alBerta-Based company has taken global trade otherworldly. Global Thermoelectric’s power supply installa-tions aren’t just in remote, exotic locations around this planet; they’re even on the Moon.

The company’s president says its original technology, thermoelec-tric generators (TEGs), was originally developed by 3M and was used in the Apollo space program. 3M thermoelectric generators were used in SNAP-27 radioisotope thermoelectric generators and were taken to the Moon on Apollo missions 12, 14, 15, 16 and 17, used to power lunar surface experiments packages, says Bruce Taylor. They are still up there, he adds.

TEGs convert heat to electricity. Heat is applied to thermocouples that are specially engineered so that the application of heat induces an electric current to flow. Although the TEGs employed in space used radioisotopes as a heat source, the TEGs that Global supplies use propane or natural gas burners to generate heat.

Global Thermoelectric’s TEGs and other industrial applications for the oil and gas industry and telecommunications — for well sites, off-shore platforms, pipelines, repeater stations and radar stations — are made in the small Alberta town of Bassano and exported all over the world. To date there have been more than 20,000 Global Thermoelec-tric TEGs installed in 50 countries.

Here’s the connection between the little town and the moon: back in the 1970s some of 3M’s engineers were duck hunting in the Bas-sano area. They happened to tell some local businessmen about their line of work and those businessmen thought TEGs were such a good

idea they bought the technology and rights to it, says Tay-lor, who has been with the company for about two years.

The investors opened a factory right there in Bassano, which lies about 140 kilometres east of Calgary, and started adapting and selling TEGs to the gas industry. The factory is still in Bassano — population 1,345 — employing 60-some people who do all the manufacturing. Integration of cus-tom systems is done in Calgary, where the engineering and head office are located. Total employees number about 110.

From TEGs the business has evolved into providing custom-made, entirely remote power systems, using solar, gensets and in some cases uninterrupted power supply (UPS) where the electrical grid connec-tion is highly unreliable.

A UPS, Taylor explains, is basically a container full of batteries. The company recently shipped one off to Kazakhstan. There it will supply power via an electrical grid and continue to supply that power for “a number of days” to a pipeline should that grid fail. If the grid is still off after a few days, a portable generator will keep the batteries charged, he says. “It has not only batteries but a lot of electronic gear in there that’s pretty sophisticated stuff.”

From Bassano To The MoonpOwer GenerATOrS mADe in SmALL ALBerTA TOwn uSeD AT OiL AnD GAS SiTeS ArOunD The wOrLD — They’ve even GOne inTerGALACTiCBy Lynda Harrison

Global Thermoelectric specializes in power systems that can go for long periods of time before routine maintenance and fuel are required. “We’re the specialists when you need a power system and you’re out in the middle of nowhere and you’ve got two issues: you can’t afford to have it fail and secondly, it’s expensive to service,” says Taylor.

Some of its systems, such as genset cycle chargers on pipelines, can last for a full year before they need refuelling or maintenance. They are engineered to run only occasionally, to charge battery banks, and to run on very little fuel so oil changes can be few and far between.

A genset is an engine that typically runs on propane or diesel, connected to a generator to produce electrical power. It’s exactly like what’s on a diesel locomotive, but in this case it moves valves or pow-ers instrumentation, Taylor explains.

Beginning with a few installations in Alberta in 1975, the privately-owned company now has systems all over the world, he says, rattling off its equipment’s whereabouts: Africa, Russia, China, India, Australia, Croatia, Peru, Bolivia, Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil and Argentina.

“ They’re the only people who stepped up to the plate with a good solution.”

↓remote operations

Twothermoelectricgenerators(TEGs)onamulti-wellpadinWyoming.TheproducerhistoricallyusedsolarbutinthisregiontheTEGswerethemoreeconomicalsolution.

TYPE 335 WELDED SEMI-POSITIVECENTRALIZER-HINGED

26 tech guideProDUcTionGlobal Thermoelectric/Top-Co

an edMonton-Based coMPany that specializes in providing equipment used in the cementing of wells has more than doubled revenue in three years thanks to international expansion.

Top-Co specializes in two product lines: fl oat equipment and centralization equip-ment, both of which are used in the primary cementing of casing in oil and gas wells. Cen-tralizer products, just as the name suggests, are used to center casing in the wellbore so they can surround it with cement. All casing has to be cemented.

Th e fl oat equipment is a valve that, when cement is being pumped, opens and enables the cement to pass through the casing. Once pumping is completed, because it’s under high pressure, the valve closes to keep the cement in the hole; otherwise it would come back to surface.

Th e company also supplies about 1,500 “part numbers” to producers: many diff erent sizes, materials and threads, depending on the well, the formation they’re drilling in, if they’re encountering a lot of heat,

the depth and other factors.Top-Co does nothing but design, manufacture and distrib-

ute equipment. “We’re specialists. Th ere’s only a handful of companies that do this in the world and we don’t want to move outside our niche,” says Gerald McLaughlan, president and chief executive offi cer.

Most of Top-Co’s growth is in the Middle East and Southeast Asia, as well as North African countries Libya, Algeria, Tunisia and Egypt, while Russia is becoming an important market.

McLaughlan says being international has been key to Top-Co’s success, “Primarily because geographic diversifi cation insulates you from cycles in the industry.” A serious downturn in drilling activity in Canada and the United States was experienced recently due to an oversup-ply of natural gas, which represents 70% of drilling, he notes. Meanwhile, off shore markets tend to focus more on oil and that market is stable, he adds.

Th ree years ago 50% of the company’s revenue was derived from Canada, whereas by the end of 2009 it was split 25% Canada and 75% exports. “Hence our nomination for an

export award,” McLaughlan says.Top-Co was one of three companies nominated by the Alberta division of Cana-

dian Manufacturers and Exporters for the inaugural Alberta export awards in the category of “manufacturing – oil and gas.”

“We nominated Top-Co for CME’s Alberta Export Award because it is really a great example of a home-grown success story,” says Dee Pannu, acting senior

trade commissioner for the Alberta regional offi ces of the Department of Foreign Aff airs and International Trade. “Now active in 62 countries worldwide and working

with the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service in several of them, Top-Co has expanded by consistently being an innovator and enhancing its product lines into technology-intensive

Marketing To The worldALBerTA COMpAny’s eXTensive reACh prOviDes reCessiOn prOTeCTiOnBy Lynda Harrison

Th ere is a growing market for power in remote locations for two reasons, says Taylor. One stems from the proliferation of cellular phones that are going into remote locations and the other is increas-ingly far fl ung worldwide oil and gas exploration. “Th ose types of [operations] need very, very high reliability,” he says.

BP purchased 29 remote power systems in 2009 incorporating TEGs with a proprietary voltage-sensing auto-start device, a battery bank and enclosure, and BP’s solar panels for its gas well sites in northeast British Columbia.

Bruce Arneson manages the instrumentation and controls group at CH2M Hill’s energy and chemicals division (BP’s EPC contract fi rm). He says he looked at all available options before settling on Global Th ermoelectric’s systems, and expects they will reduce greenhouse

gas emissions at the wellsites by 90% due to the solar component. “Th ey’re the only people who stepped up to the plate with a good solution,” says Arneson.

Taylor estimates the oil and gas industry portion of his business has grown at least 10% per year over the past fi ve years and he expects that to continue. He singles out China, the central Asian republics known as “Th e ‘Stans,” as well as North Africa and Southeast Asia as particularly hot markets for the company’s products.

At least 90% of sales are now outside of Canada and 70% are outside of North America, says Taylor. “We’re in everything from the jungles of Brazil to Alaska. We go from very, very hot to very, very cold.”

Global Th ermoelectric’s equipment has been installed where temperatures can reach 60 C, such as the North African desert and the Middle East, and then get very cold at night. Th at kind of heat can burn up electronics, and batteries don’t like extreme hot or cold so they have to be engineered properly. “We do things with paint, air conditioning, ventilation systems, all of those kinds of things,” he says.

Global has received the Canada Export Award three times as well as a special lifetime achievement award and a supplier’s award from China for the East-West Pipeline. ■

Contact for more informationGreg Toner, Global Th ermoelectric, Tel: (403) 720-1880, Email: greg.toner@globalte.com

↑world power

TEGsoffshoreGabon(left)andanapplicationinPeru.

↓specialized equipment

Top-Cosaysproperplacementofcasingcentralizers(below)andfloatequipment(right)isnecessaryinobtainingasuccessfulprimarycementjob.

27tech guideProducTion

Top-Co/Advantage products

applications for horizontal and directional drilling and heavy oil.”The company has been designing and manufacturing float and

mechanical cementing products since 1963. It has 275 employees working from a 165,000-square-foot facility in Edmonton and a 25,000-square-foot plant in Weatherford, Texas. A third facility, in the Persian Gulf, opens this year.

Top-Co has distribution and customer support centres in Edmon-ton, Calgary, Houston and Weatherford, as well as in Mexico, Russia, Azerbaijan and the United Arab Emirates. Independent sales agents and distributors are in more than 40 countries.

The company brings in the raw materials and all manufacturing, testing and finishing is done in-house using electronic design media and three-dimensional modelling before it is released, so it is not relying on sub-contractors that can create delays and lead to loss of quality control.

Doing it all themselves also means they can be flexible — an emer-gency order can be done quickly and if there’s a spike in demand for a particular product they can change their production rapidly and fill that void without relying on outside sources.

Speed is critical in this time-sensitive industry. McLaughlan says 99% of the time Top-Co ships out products within 24 hours of receiv-ing their order.

In addition, its $3 million, computerized flow-test loop facility enables the company to test new products and conduct failure analy-sis before they go to the field. The machine puts drilling mud through the float valve and around in a loop to test the flow rate, temperature and the valve’s ability to handle the pressure it would encounter in an actual well, while ensuring oil meets American Petroleum Institute standards. “There is nothing like it in the industry, and it’s sitting here in little old Edmonton,” says McLaughlan.

It tested a special cementing plug designed for a project offshore Newfoundland, where rigs can cost $500,000 a day to rent so it’s important there are no problems or delays. “We were able to build it, test it, and through a web broadcast, engineers in Newfoundland and Calgary were able to witness the test so they could be fully satisfied it would perform to their specifications before taking the risk of put-ting a unique product in the well and encountering a problem,” says McLaughlan.

The item was built in five days, says Faisal Rashid, an engineer who does Hibernia’s desk design evaluation and services for clients. He witnessed the test in St. John’s and was very happy with Top-Co’s service. “The response was very quick, professional and we got very good support, very good communication,” he said. ■

Contact for more informationGerald McLaughlan, Top-Co, Tel: (780) 440-4440, Email: Gerald.McLaughlan@top-co.ca

YOu’ve gOt tO hand it to Jim Weber: the roughneck-turned- inventor is nothing if not persistent.

After eight years of work — more on that in a bit — Weber and his team at Advantage Products Inc. (API) have introduced a new motor design for the oilpatch that boosts efficiency, reduces costs, enhances safety and provides environmental benefits.

The company’s TorqDrive is the first variable-speed permanent magnet motor designed for progressive cavity pump (PCP) top drives. It eliminates hydraulic pumps and motors, gearboxes and belt drives.

“With a normal induction motor, you basically plug it in and it’ll run at whatever the designed run speed is,” says Weber, president of API. “Our new motor doesn’t work that way.”

Imagine a dimmer switch used at home that easily adjusts light levels from nearly dark to fully lit by simply turning a knob or sliding a lever. In simplistic terms, API’s new motor can be controlled the same way. “It’s actually a bit more complex than that, of course, but that’s what it boils down to,” says Weber.

The motor is designed to deliver continuous 1,000 foot-pounds of torque from 30 r.p.m. to 450 r.p.m. and can generate up to 1,400 foot-pounds of breakaway torque. “At rated speed and torque, the TorqDrive delivers 85 horsepower at a remarkable 97.4% efficiency,” Weber notes.

Advantage installed the first field unit in November 2009, and the company was rolling out the new design at the end of June.

“With all the other units that are out there right now, and in this particular field, they have to change the speed on the drivehead an average of four to seven times before they get it optimized and running right where they want it to. But with the existing hydraulic

revving upADvAnTAGe prODuCTS inTrODuCeS new mOTOr DeSiGnBy Stephen Marsters

↖rigorous testing

Top-Corecentlycom-missionedastate-of-the-arttestflowloop,guaranteeingequip-mentmanufacturedmeetsAPIandTop-Co’s“bestquality”standardsthroughdynamiccom-puterloggedtesting.

28 tech guideProducTionAdvantage products

“Industry LeadingQuality & Service Since 1987”

Specialists in internal & external coating applications

Epoxies • Metallizing • Fibreglass Linings • Plural SprayPipe • Tanks • Vessels • Towers • Valves

6150 - 76 Avenue, Edmonton, AB T6B 0A6 Phone (780) 440-2855 Fax (780) 440-1050

100% Canadian Owned www.brotherscoating.com• •

units, they can only achieve about a 50% speed range before they have to shut down the well and change the sheaves and belts to get additional speed range. With our motor, it’s as simple as changing the speed set point in the control panel to set any speed you want, without shutting down the well.”

a career of innovation Weber has been closely associated with the PCP market for years.

He started in the oilpatch in 1968 as a roughneck, and came up through the ranks on the drilling side of the business.

He began hearing about PCPs in the mid-1980s, he recalls. “Th ere were about 2,500 in service,” says Weber, who was living at the time in the small town of Halbrite, Saskatchewan. “And although 2,500 applications is not really the basis to start a tool company, I was bet-ting everything that use of the pump would grow like crazy and it has — history has proven me to be correct on that.”

However, frequent failures of the early PCPs and tubing strings were common. Th e problem was that the torque and vibration inher-ent with the PCP would cause the tubing string to become unscrewed and drop down the wellbore. “One of my customers wanted a tool to prevent this and described to me what the tool had to do. He said, ‘Jim, we need a tool that will set and prevent rotation of the tubing string, but that we can still pull from the wellbore after it’s been set.’ I knew there wasn’t such a thing.” After doing a patent search and fi nding there was no tool out there to do the job, Weber designed the industry’s fi rst torque anchor, the “no-turn tool” (a phrase he coined),

to work with PCPs. Six or seven other manufacturers later copied the design.

In 1997, Weber formed API to develop new and innovative solu-tions for the oil industry. Th e company’s products include the TorqS-topper (a new and improved torque anchor compared to the old no-turn tool) and the SideWinder (a simple and eff ective wellhead that allows access with coil tubing, through a side entry port (SEP), into the casing annulus for de-watering and cleanout).

Th e TorqStopper, which is API’s fl agship product, has one mov-ing part. Th ere are now in excess of 25,000 TorqStoppers in use worldwide, with distribution though companies such as Weatherford, National Oilwell Varco, Europump, Midfi eld Supply, R&M Energy Sys-tems, Wilson and CE Franklin. Th e most popular TorqStopper model, the TX7, is used in seven-inch casing, and the company has “clicked over 10,000 units” in the manufacture of that model.

Perseverance As for the new motor, the API team has been working for close to

eight years on getting it to market. In fact, “perseverance” may well be Jim Weber’s middle name.

“Th ere’s been lots of nights I didn’t sleep so well,” he says with a laugh. “But the development of the motor has been really exciting. It’s kept us going.”

Th e fi rst iteration of the motor was literally struck by lightening: not an auspicious start. And API’s initial joint venture with a manu-facturer “went bad,” Weber says. More recently, the company has spent “quite a number of years” to conquer the issue of controlling the motor.

Users will be impressed by the TorqDrive’s reduced requirement for maintenance as well as the inherent safety features, Weber says.

“For rig crews, it’s very easy to pick up, because it’s concentric with the rod string. Th ey just pick it up and lift it on. With other PCP top drive designs, you have a motor hanging over to one side. So the cen-tre of gravity is not in line with the well, and it’s quite hard to sling.”

Weber says the TorqDrive is also much quieter than other motors — “a lot quieter,” in fact.

“Th is will be especially useful for producers with operations situ-ated near to acreage owners, who have concerns about noise levels emanating from wellsites,” he notes.

He says the high effi ciency of the motor also leads to lower operat-ing costs and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Weber expects electricity cost savings per well could range from $6,000 to $11,000 per year compared to conventional top drives, while the reduced power consumption equates to 50 to 80 tonnes per year of reduced CO2 emissions.

“You know, fi ve years from now, I’m thinking, we’re all going to say, ‘Th ose eight years we spent on that motor ... well, it was worth it.’” ■

Contact for more information Jim Weber, Advantage Products, Tel: (403) 264-1647

↓ motoring along

API’sTorqDriverepre-sentstheindustry’sfirstvariable-speedperma-nentmagnetmotorforPCPtopdrives.

29tech guidedirEcTory

production

Accu-Flo Meter Service Ltd.4028 - 7 St. S.E.Calgary AB T2G 2Y8403-243-1425www.accufl o.com

Accurata Inc.120 MacEwan Park Rise N.W.Calgary AB T3K 4A1403-295-1637

Advanced Flow Tech6135 - 10 St. S.E.Calgary AB T2H 2Z9403-212-2382www.afti.ca

Advantage Mud Systems Ltd.730, 777 - 8 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 3R5403-262-1120www.advantagemud.com

Advantage Products Inc.273, 1919B 4 St. S.W. Calgary AB T2S 1W4 403-264-1647www.advantageproductsinc.com

Alpha Controls & Instrumentation6, 361 Steelcase Rd. WestMarkham ON L3R 3V8905-477-2133www.alphacontrols.com

Amorex Solutions Ltd.1500, 324 - 8 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 2Z2403-770-7865www.amorex.com

Annugas Compression Consulting Ltd.3601 - 48 St.Wetaskiwin AB T9A 3N9780-361-2350www.annugas.com

Apex Oilfi eld Services (2000) Inc.4424, 39139 Hwy. 2ARed Deer County AB T4S 2A8403-347-1628www.apexoil.ca

API Oilfi eld Hauling Inc.R.R. 1, Red Deer AB T4N 5E1403-309-7400

Ardy Rigging Ltd.Box 180, Valleyview AB T0H 3N0780-524-3459www.ardyrigging.com

Argus Machine Co. Ltd.5820 - 97 St.Edmonton AB T6E 3J1780-434-9451www.argusmachine.com

Armatek Controls Limited55 Judson St.Toronto ON M8Z 1A4416-251-3111www.armatek.com

ATECH Application Technology Limited242, 3359 - 27 St. N.E.Calgary AB T1Y 5E4403-261-0005www.atech.ca

Baker Hughes Canada Company1000, 401 - 9 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 3C5403-537-3400www.bakerhughes.com

Baron Oilfi eld Supply9515 - 108 St.Grande Prairie AB T8V 5R7780-532-5661www.baronoilfi eld.ca

Bell Industries5317 - 91 St.Edmonton AB T6E 6E2780-434-4401www.bellindustries.net

Black Ink Oilfi eld Mechanical Inc.5 Wellhead St.Devon AB T9G 1Z6780-987-4924

Bonnett's Energy ServicesBox 1, Site 33, R.R. 2Grande Prairie AB T8V 2Z9780-532-5700www.bonnettsenergy.com

Boundary Equipment Co. Ltd.10740 - 181 St.Edmonton AB T5S 1K8780-483-3133www.boundaryequipment.com

Bowie Pumps of Canada Ltd.9333 - 41 Ave. N.W.Edmonton AB T6E 6R5780-465-7812www.bowiepumps.com

Brazeau Well ServicingBox 6028, Drayton Valley AB T7A 1R6780-621-0654www.essentialenergy.ca

Brother's Specialized Coating Systems Ltd.6150 - 76 Ave.Edmonton AB T6B 0A6780-440-2855www.brotherscoating.com

C.B. Engineering Limited20, 1220 - 59 Ave. S.E.Calgary AB T2H 2M4403-259-6220www.cbeng.com

production directory

30 tech guidedirEcToryproduction

Cactus Gas & Oil Operators Ltd.26 Chinook Dr. S.W.Medicine Hat AB T1A 4B3403-526-8910

Calfrac Well Services Ltd.411 - 8 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 1E3403-266-6000www.calfrac.com

Calmena Energy Services Inc.300, 855 - 8 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 3P1403-225-3879www.blackwatchenergy.ca

Cameron Canada Corp.7944 - 10 St. N.E.Calgary AB T2E 8W1403-291-4814www.c-a-m.com

Canadian Dewatering LP11819 - 24 St. N.E.Edmonton AB T6S 1B5780-406-5111www.canadiandewatering.com

Canadian Nitrogen Services Ltd.610B McCool St., Box 1909Crossfi eld AB T0M 0S0403-946-0404www.canadiannitrogen.com

Canadian Wellhead Isolation Corp.34 Industrial Dr.Sylvan Lake AB T4S 1P4403-340-3356www.wellheadisolation.com

Canyon Technical Services Ltd.1600, 510 - 5 St. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 3S2403-355-2300www.canyontech.ca

Carnwood Wireline Service Ltd.108, 3907 - 98 St.Edmonton AB T6E 6M3780-434-1122www.carnwood.com

Cartel Energy Services Inc.Box 155Beiseker AB T0M 0G0403-947-3334www.cartelenergy.com

CCS Corporation24 Fl., 530 - 8 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 3S8403-233-7565www.ccscorporation.ca

CE Franklin Ltd.Box 6776, Stn. D.Calgary AB T2P 2E8403-531-5600www.cefranklin.com

Cementing Technology & Equipment Ltd.6704 - 59 St. N.W.Edmonton AB T6B 3N6780-485-8799www.cteltd.com

Central Production Testing Ltd.500, 727 - 7Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 0Z5403-571-5171www.cptl.net

Central Wireline Services4513 - 51 St., Box 1969Stettler AB T0C 2L0403-742-5000

Centrilift1000, 401 - 9 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 3C5403-537-3400www.centrilift.com

Chemicals By Sterling Ltd.#92 Hwy. 39 East, Box 1098Estevan SK S4A 2H7306-634-6549www.cbsterling.com

Codeco Energy Group Inc.3 Fl., 3333 - 8 St. S.E.Calgary AB T2G 3A4403-237-7808www.codecoenergygroup.com

Coltek Energy Services Ltd.R.R. 1, Site 4, Box 11Grande Prairie AB T8V 2Z8780-538-9878www.coltekenergy.com

Computer Modelling Group Ltd.150, 3553 - 31 St. N.W.Calgary AB T2L 2K7403-531-1300www.cmgl.ca

Concord Well ServicingBox 1528, Valleyview AB T0H 3N0780-524-2113www.concordwell.com

Conn Pumps630, 1010 - 1 St. S.W.Calgary AB T2R 1K4403-262-5151www.connpumps.com

Control Microsystems48 Steacie Dr.Kanata ON K2K 2A9613-591-1943www.controlmicrosystems.com

Couturier Oilfi eld Anchors Ltd.6306 - 50 Ave., Box 5039Drayton Valley AB T7A 1R3780-542-6358www.couturieranchors.com

CTC Energy Services7755 Edgar Industrial WayRed Deer AB T4P 3R2403-347-6717www.essentialenergy.ca

C-TECH Oilwell Technologies Inc.3201 - 84 Ave.Edmonton AB T6P 1K1780-464-3800www.ctechenergy.com

Danco Equipment (2009) Inc.9111 - 41 Ave.Edmonton AB T6E 6M5780-468-5151www.dancoequipment.com

Daniel Industries Canada Inc.4215 - 72 Ave. S.E.Calgary AB T2C 2G5403-279-1879www.daniel.com

Decoking Descaling Technology Inc.2, 4873 - 46 St.Lacombe AB T4L 2B2403-346-7444

Diamond Energy Services1521 North Service Rd. WestSwift Current SK S9H 3S9306-778-6682www.diamondenergy.ca

DPS Microbial Solutions312 - 3 St., Box 116Frobisher SK S0C 0Y0306-486-2110www.dpsmicrobial.com

DrSCADA Automation160, 32 Westwinds Cres. N.E.Calgary AB T3J 5L3403-264-5937www.drscada.com

Eagle Well Servicing8113 - 49 Ave. CloseRed Deer AB T4P 2V5403-346-7789www.eaglerigs.com

Electric Motor Service Limited8835 - 60 Ave.Edmonton AB T6E 6L9780-496-9300www.emsl.ca

Endeavor E-Line Services1100, 250 - 2 St. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 0C1403-265-9423www.endeavoreline.com

Enerchem International Inc.450, 440 - 2 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 5E9403-269-1500www.enerchem.com

Enerfl ex Ltd.904, 1331 Macleod Trail S.E.Calgary AB T2G 0K3403-387-6377www.enerfl ex.com

Enerfl ow Industries Inc.4800 - 27 St. S.E.Calgary AB T2B 3M4403-279-9696www.enerfl ow.com

Entero Corporation500, 1040 - 7 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 3G9403-261-1820www.entero.com

Enviro Vault105, 7370 Sierra Morena Blvd. S.W.Calgary AB T3H 4H9403-263-4433www.envirovault.com

ESI Energy Services Inc.500, 727 - 7 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 0Z5403-262-9344www.energyservicesinc.com

Essential Energy Services Ltd.1100, 250 - 2 St. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 0C1403-263-6778www.essentialenergy.ca

Expro Group Canada Inc.1650, 734 - 7 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 3P8403-532-0873www.exprogroup.com

Field Production Testing Service Inc.Box 4760, Taber AB T1G 2E1403-635-4212

Flexpipe Systems3501 - 54 Ave. S.E.Calgary AB T2C 0A9403-503-0548www.fl expipesystems.com

Flowstar Technologies Inc.8709 - 50 Ave.Edmonton AB T6E 5H4780-485-6667www.fl owstardcr.com

FMC Technologies Company (Subsea Systems)650, 400 - 3 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 1C9403-232-1141www.fmctechnologies.com

Galvanic Applied Sciences, Inc.7000 Fisher Rd. S.E.Calgary AB T2H 0W3403-252-8470www.galvanic.com

31tech guidedirEcTory

production

GasEnergy Strategies Inc. 175 Oakmount Rd. S.W. Calgary AB T2V 4X3 403-251-4048

Global Heat Transfer 7716 - 67 St. Edmonton AB T6B 2K4 780-448-3600 www.globalheattransfer.com

Global Steel Ltd. 1600, 144 - 4 Ave. S.W. Calgary AB T2P 3N4 403-237-8108 www.globalsteel.ca

Global Thermoelectric 9, 3700 - 78 Ave. S.E. Calgary AB T2C 2L8 403-236-5556 www.globalte.com

Global Well Servicing Ltd. Box 7745, Drayton Valley AB T7A 1S8 780-515-9885 www.globalwellservicing.com

Golder Associates 102, 2535 - 3 Ave. S.E. Calgary AB T2A 7W5 403-299-5600 www.golder.ca

GPM Sales & Service Inc. 5925 - 91 St. Edmonton AB T6E 6A7 780-432-6957 www.gpmsales.ca

GrenCo Industries Ltd. 3710 - 78 Ave. Edmonton AB T6B 3E5 780-468-2000 www.grenco.com

GS Hitech Controls Inc. 6173 - 6 St. S.E. Calgary AB T2H 1L9 403-255-7884

Halliburton Group Canada 1600, 645 - 7 Ave. S.W. Calgary AB T2P 4G8 403-231-9300 www.halliburton.com

Hertz Equipment Rental 8660 - 61 Ave. Edmonton AB T6E 5P6 780-435-3711 www.hertzequip.com

High Arctic Energy Services Inc. 8112 Edgar Industrial Drive Red Deer AB T4P 3R2 403-340-9825 www.haes.ca

HiTech Fluid Systems Ltd. 1800, 505 - 3 St. S.W. Calgary AB T2P 3E6 403-547-2906 www.hitechfluid.com

Hi-Tech Seals Inc. 9211 - 41 Ave. N.W. Edmonton AB T6E 6R5 780-438-6055 www.hitechseals.com

Honeywell 5925 Centre St. S.W. Calgary AB T2H 0C2 403-509-1200 www.honeywell.com/acs/indsol

Horizontal Well Testing Ltd. 10, 5915 - 40 St. S.E. Calgary AB T2C 2H6 403-880-4030 www.horizontalwelltesting.com

Husky Transport Ltd. 12155 - 242 Rd., Box 6070 Fort St. John BC V1J 4H6 250-785-8335 www.huskytransport.com

Hyduke Mechanical & Machining 2311 - 8 St. Nisku AB T9E 7Z3 780-955-9559 www.hyduke.com

ICI Artificial Lift 6010 - 53 Ave. Lloydminster AB T9V 2T2 780-872-7470 www.icisolutions.ca

ICTC (Innovative Chemical Technologies Canada Ltd.)400, 635 - 6 Ave. S.W. Calgary AB T2P 0T5 403-720-5020 www.eclgroup.com

Impact Rock Bits Box 6448, Peace River AB T8S 1S3 780-624-2640 www.impactrockbits.com

Infinity Oilfield Services Inc. R.R. 2, Sundre AB T0M 1X0 403-230-6031 www.infinityoilfield.com

Integrated Production Services Ltd. 1900, 840 - 7 Ave. S.W. Calgary AB T2P 3G2 403-266-0908 www.ipsadvantage.ca

International Frontier Resources Corporation100, 601 - 10 Ave. S.W. Calgary AB T2R 0B2 403-215-2780 www.internationalfrontier.com

Jet Rentals & Sales Ltd. B102, 400 - 5212 - 48 St. Red Deer AB T4N 7C3 403-352-8579

John Crane Canada Inc. 423 Green Rd. Stoney Creek ON L8E 3A1 905-662-6191 www.johncrane.com

Kayden Instruments 3368 - 114 Ave. S.E. Calgary AB T2Z 3V6 403-253-1423 www.kayden.com

Keddco Mfg. Ltd. 645 Keddco St., Box 999 Sarnia ON N7T 7K6 519-336-2960 www.keddco.com

Ketek Industries Ltd. 20204 - 110 Ave. N.W. Edmonton AB T5S 1X8 780-447-5050 www.ketek.ca

Kodiak Well Service Box 6101 Fort St. John BC V1J 4H6 250-787-9016 www.essentialenergy.ca

KSM Inc. 1904 - 4 St. Nisku AB T9E 7T8 780-955-3456 www.ksmrig.com

Kudu Industries Inc. 9112 - 40 St. S.E. Calgary AB T2C 2P3 403-279-5838 www.kudupump.com

Lamarre Equipment Inc. 9419 - 27 Ave. Edmonton AB T6N 1C9 780-438-3493 www.lamarreequipment.com

Levy's Machine Works Ltd. 3503 - 78 Ave. S.E. Calgary AB T2C 1J7 403-279-2010 www.levysmachineworks.com

Lonkar Well Testing Ltd. 8080 Edgar Industrial Cres. Red Deer AB T4P 3R3 403-347-9727 www.lonkar.com

Lufkin Industries Canada Ltd. 1050, 808 - 4 Ave. S.W. Calgary AB T2P 3E8 403-234-7692 www.lufkin.com

M.W. Hagel Consulting Ltd. 18 Golden Key Estates Calgary AB T3P 1A5 403-265-7800 www.optimus.ab.ca

Marquis Alliance Energy Group Inc. 1800, 800 - 6 Ave. S.W. Calgary AB T2P 3G3 403-264-1588 www.marquisalliance.com

Master Flo Valve Inc. 4611 - 74 Ave. Edmonton AB T6B 2H5 780-468-4433 www.masterflo.com

Matrix Drilling Fluids Ltd. 1240, 540 - 5 Ave. S.W. Calgary AB T2P 0M2 403-265-7660 www.matrixdrillingfluids.com

MaX-Quip Inc. 6235A - 86 Ave. S.E. Calgary AB T2C 2S4 403-258-3680 www.maxquip.ca

McAdoo Flow-Systems Ltd. Bay 6, 6115 - 4 St. S.E., Box 68058 Calgary AB T2H 2H9 403-547-5002 www.mcadooflowsystems.com

M-I SWACO 5 Fl., 700 - 2 St. S.W. Calgary AB T2P 2W2 403-290-5300 www.miswaco.com

Mow-Tech Ltd. 17740 - 118 Ave. N.W. Edmonton AB T5S 2W3 780-484-6356 www.mowtech.com

Nabors Production Services 33 Schenk Industrial Rd. Sylvan Lake AB T4S 2J7 403-887-7400 www.nabors.com

National Coating Technologies Inc. 1975 Logan Ave. Winnipeg MB R2R 0H8 204-632-5585 www.nationalcoating.com

National Process Equipment 5, 3401 - 19 St. N.E. Calgary AB T2E 6S8 403-219-0270 www.natpro.com

Nelgar Oilfield Services 101, 7477 - 49 Ave. Red Deer AB T4P 1N1 403-309-2620 www.nelgarservices.com

Newpark Canada Inc. 300, 635 - 6 Ave. S.W. Calgary AB T2P 0T5 403-266-7383 www.newpark.ca

NGC Product Solutions 1B, 624 Beaverdam Rd. N.E. Calgary AB T2K 4W6 403-295-3114 www.ngc-ps.com

Northstar Drillstem Testers Inc. 201, 736 - 1 Ave. N.E. Calgary AB T2E 0B8 403-265-8987 www.northstardst.com

Oil & Gas Instruments Inc. 3, 265 Main St., Box 237 Glencoe ON N0L 1M0 519-287-3554

Oil Lift Technology Inc. Bay 3, 1820 - 30 Ave. N.E. Calgary AB T2E 7M5 403-291-5300 www.oillifttechnology.com

OilPro Oilfield Production Equipment Ltd.348 Lake Placid Green S.E. Calgary AB T2J 5A3 403-215-3373 www.oilpro.ab.ca

Opsco Energy Industries Ltd. 285175 Kleysen Way Rocky View AB T1X 0K1 403-272-2206 www.opscoenergy.com

Pacific Valve Services Inc. 9750 - 62 Ave. Edmonton AB T6E 0E3 780-463-3972 www.pacificvalve.com

32 tech guidedirEcToryproduction

Packers Plus Energy Services Inc.900, 407 - 2 St. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 2Y3403-263-7587www.packersplus.com

Paintearth Energy Services2435 - 22 St. N.E.Calgary AB T2E 8K8403-264-5682www.paintearth.com

PCM Canada1014, 888 - 3 St. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 5C5403-444-6951www.pcm.eu

Peak Energy Services Trust900, 222 - 3 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 0B4403-543-7325www.peak-energy.com

Pembina Controls Inc.9611 - 42 Ave.Edmonton AB T6E 5R2780-432-6821www.pem-controls.com

Penetrators Canada Inc.8002 Edgar Industrial Ave.Red Deer AB T4P 3S2403-346-7474www.maxperf.ca

Penta Completions Supply & Services Ltd.9543 - 56 Ave.Edmonton AB T6E 0B2780-436-6644www.pentarods.com

Peterson Instruments123, 5655 - 10 St. N.E.Calgary AB T2E 8W7403-291-9169www.petersoninst.com

Petris Canada805, 734 - 7 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 3P8403-225-4954www.petris.com

Petro Management Group Ltd.401, 100 - 4 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 3N2403-216-5100www.petromgt.com

PHH Petroleum Consultants Ltd.240, 1121 Centre St. N.W.Calgary AB T2E 7K6403-232-6822www.phhpc.com

Platinum Energy Services (Lloydminster) Corp.Box 10207Lloydminster AB T9V 3A3780-875-7145www.platinumenergy.net

Polycore Tubular Linings Corporation430, 736 - 8 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 1H4403-444-5554www.polycore.ca

Precision Drilling Corporation4200, 150 - 6 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 3Y7403-716-4500www.precisiondrilling.com

Premiere Energy Services Ltd.1700, 500 - 4 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 2V6403-874-6666www.premiereenergy.ca

Profi cient Oil Tools Ltd.105, 616 - 71 Ave. S.E.Calgary AB T2H 2R1403-255-4070www.profi cientoiltools.com

Propak Systems Ltd.440 East Lake Rd.,Airdrie AB T4A 2J8403-912-7000www.propaksystems.com

PRO-ROD3201 - 84 Ave.Edmonton AB T6P 1K1780-449-7101www.prorod.com

Proven Reserves Exploitation Ltd.1730, 734 - 7 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 3P8403-218-7000www.proven-reserves.com

Pumps & Pressure Inc.7018 Johnstone Dr.Red Deer AB T4P 3Y6403-347-9770www.pumpsandpressure.com

Q'Max Solutions Inc.1700, 407 - 2 St. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 2Y3403-269-2242www.qmaxsolutions.com

R & M Energy Systems Canada3703 - 98 St.Edmonton AB T6E 5N2780-465-9500www.rmenergy.com

Rebco Oil Tools Inc.4226 Ogden Rd. S.E.Calgary AB T2G 4V3403-243-1380www.rebcooiltools.com

Redmont International ULC3336 - 47 Ave. S.E.Calgary AB T2B 2W1403-297-0910www.redmont.com

Reliance Well Servicing (2002) Ltd.Box 7285 Drayton Valley AB T7A 1S5780-542-5295www.reliancewell.com

Rheotech Drilling Fluid Services Inc.610, 700 - 4 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 3J4403-237-8870www.rheotech.ca

Rockwell Servicing Partnership1000, 400 - 5 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 0L6403-265-6361www.ensigngroup.com

Roll'n Oilfi eld Industries, Ltd.305, 5208 - 53 Ave.Red Deer AB T4N 5K2403-343-1710www.rolln.com

Rotation Power & Equipment Inc.Box 500, Neilburg SK S0M 2C0306-823-4818www.rotationpower.com

S.A. Armstrong Limited23 Bertrand Ave.Scarborough ON M1L 2P3416-755-2291www.armstrongpumps.com

Sabre Oilfi eld Equipment Ltd.2412 Cameron Ravine Dr.Edmonton AB T6M 0J2780-446-6054www.sabreoilfi eld.com

Safety Boss Inc.921 - 9 Ave. S.E.Calgary AB T2G 0S5403-261-5075www.safetyboss.com

Sanjel Corporation200, 505 - 2 St. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 1N8403-269-1420www.sanjel.com

Savanna Energy Services Corp.1800, 311 - 6 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 3H2403-503-9990www.savannaenergy.com

Schlumberger Canada Ltd.525 - 3 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 0G4403-509-4000www.slb.com

Select Energy Systems Inc.4215 - 54 Ave. S.E.Calgary AB T2C 2A2403-243-7542www.selectesi.com

Sentry Pumping Units International450, 444 - 5 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 2T8403-775-7077www.sentryinternational.net

Shearer Products, a Division of National Oilwell Varco7043 - 56 Ave.Edmonton AB T6B 3L2780-988-5522www.nov.com

Sienna Contracting Ltd.683 - 18 St. S.W.Medicine Hat AB T1A 7Y1403-527-9881www.siennacomposite.com

Simark Controls Ltd.10509 - 46 St. S.E.Calgary AB T2C 5C2403-236-0580www.simark.com

Sim-Con Oilfi eld Equipment Ltd.800 - 10 St. West, Box 246Kindersley SK S0L 1S0306-463-4938www.simconoil.com

Smith International Canada, Ltd.710, 396 - 11 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2R 0C5403-264-6077www.smith.com

Sounder Technologies31 Norris CloseRed Deer AB T4P 1R2403-340-9750www.meterdat.com

Source Energy Tool Services Inc.6402 - 56 St., Box 21006Lloydminster AB T9V 2S1780-808-8788www.sourceenergy.ca

Spartan Controls Ltd.305 - 27 St. S.E.Calgary AB T2A 7V2403-207-0700www.spartancontrols.com

SPM Flow Control Ltd.Unit A, 8060 Edgar IndustrialRed Deer AB T4P 3R3403-341-3410www.weiroilandgas.com

33tech guidedirEcTory

production

Stewart & Stevenson, Canada3001 Shepard Rd. S.E.Calgary AB T2C 4P1403-215-5300www.stewartandstevenson.com

Stimulus Resource Technologies Inc.702, 1718 - 14 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2N 4Y7403-239-3520

Storm Service Rigs1510, 555 - 4 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 3E7403-509-0724www.stormrigs.com

Stream-Flo Industries Ltd.4505 - 74 Ave.Edmonton AB T6B 2H5780-468-6789www.streamfl o.com

Sumitomo Canada Limited2800, 150 King St. WestToronto ON M5H 1J9604-691-6000www.sumitomocanada.com

Sure Flow Consulting Services (1992) Inc.Box 7400, Bonnyville AB T9N 2H7780-826-6864www.surefl owconsulting.com

Tartan Controls Inc.6932 - 34 St.Edmonton AB T6B 2X2780-463-3366www.tartancontrols.com

Techmation Electric & Controls Ltd.1, 43 East Lake Cres. N.E.Airdrie AB T4A 2H5403-243-0990www.techmationelectric.com

Technicoil Corporation, CT Service Division1510, 555 - 4 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 3E7403-509-0700www.technicoilcorp.com

Telematic Controls Inc.3364 - 114 Ave. S.E.Calgary AB T2Z 3V6403-253-7939www.telematic.ca

Top-Co LP7720 - 17 St.Edmonton AB T6P 1S7780-440-4440www.top-co.ca

Toran Power & Equipment Ltd.500, 727 - 7 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 0Z5403-218-1882www.toranpower.com

Total Enerfl ex9715 - 115 St.Grande Prairie AB T8V 5S4780-532-8347www.totalenerfl ex.com

Tracer Supervision1110, 340 - 12 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2R 1L5403-261-7097www.barlon.ca

TRC Hydraulics Inc.855 Champlain St.Dieppe NB E1A 1P6506-853-1986www.trchydraulics.com

Treeline Well Services Inc.750, 333 - 11 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2R 1L9403-266-2868www.treelinewell.com

Trendon Bit Service Ltd.Box 548, Redcliff AB T0J 2P0403-548-7242www.trendonbitservice.com

Trican Well Service Ltd.2900, 645 - 7 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 4G8403-266-0202www.trican.ca

Trinidad Well Servicing2500, 700 - 9 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 3V4403-265-6525www.trinidaddrilling.com

Triple D Technologies Inc.115, 9650 - 20 Ave.Edmonton AB T6N 1G1780-440-3348www.tripledtechnologies.com

Tryton Tool Services5107 - 62 St.Lloydminster AB T9V 2E3780-875-0800www.essentialenergy.ca

TS&M SupplyBox 28, Estevan SK S4A 2A2306-634-6494www.natoil.com

Tucker Wireline Services Canada Inc.900, 444 - 5 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 2T8403-264-7040www.tuckerwireline.com

Variperm (Canada) Limited10, 3424 - 26 St. N.E.Calgary AB T1Y 4T7403-250-7263www.variperm.com

Vetco Gray Canada ULC710, 530 - 8 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 3S8403-264-4146www.geoilandgas.com/vetcogray

Wavefront Technology Solutions Inc.100, 17608 - 103 Ave.Edmonton AB T5S 1J9780-486-2222www.onthewavefront.com

Westcomm Pump & Equipment Ltd.Unit 2, 3424 - 26 St. N.E.Calgary AB T2E 7A4403-215-7867www.westcommpump.com

Wilco Wireline & Swabbing Services Inc.1, 4451 - 58 Ave. S.E.Calgary AB T2C 1Y3403-279-8895www.wilcowireline.com

William Nichols Consulting4616 Brockington Rd. N.W.Calgary AB T2L 1R6403-714-3330www.williamnichols.com

Wizard Well Servicing Ltd.5211 - 65 St.Lloydminster AB T9V 2E8780-875-6035

Wood Group Pressure Control Canada Inc.8743 - 50 Ave.Edmonton AB T6E 5H4780-450-3401www.woodgroup.com

World Oil Tools Inc.6, 3504 - 72 Ave. S.E.Calgary AB T2C 1J9403-720-5155www.worldoiltools.com

XL Fluid Systems102, 2531 Hochwald Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T3E 7K3403-265-4344www.xlfl uids.com

Zazula Process Equipment Ltd.1526 - 10 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T3C 0J5403-244-0751www.zazula.com

Zedi500, 600 - 6 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 0S5403-444-1100www.zedi.ca

technologyprofile

Expro’s Canada operations cover both onshore and off shore operations and its investment and track record in developing technology means that the company is a major player in the oil and gas industry.

Expro is one of the market leaders in providing a complete solution for all customers’ well integrity needs using a combination of calipers, logging tools and downhole video cameras. All of these services can be deployed on electric line or slickline to ensure the customer is off ered the maximum versatility.

Expro’s Calgary operations have an emphasis on downhole video in vertical and horizontally completed oil and gas wells.

The range of downhole video camera systems off er operators a cost eff ective way to ’see’ downhole problems rather than inferring them or just plain guessing. Downhole video is a proven technology and more than 5,000 downhole video surveys have been run in a wide range of oil and gas well conditions.

Expro leads the way in well fl ow management and provides services, products and expertise customers need to measure, improve, control and process fl ow from their oil and gas wells.

advertorial

Leading the way in well fl ow management

New Technology: ViewMax Camera ViewMax is Expro’s latest develop-

ment in downhole video technology. The tool incorporates a second camera in the patented backlight camera lighthead. This second camera is pointed sideways and can rotate allowing unobstructed views of the wall of the pipe or openhole formation, fractures, etc. ViewMax allows operators to acquire the traditional down view ahead of the tool and/or to

Expro’s market leadership in downhole video is based on technology and service. Our operators are skilled at well preparation to ensure the greatest chance of successful pictures. Patented lighthead design,

superior transmission rates and patented lens surfactant ensure that we provide superior picture quality and service. The lens surfactant repels hydrocarbons allowing surveys in fl owing wells and entries through well bore fl uids.

Expro’s customers can rely on great service and commitment to solving problems down hole and have troubleshooting solutions which cover production optimization and internal inspection services.

view the pipe wall on the same trip in the well. By alternating the power sent to the tool, the video operator can switch between cameras to rotate the camera to get a circumferential view of the pipe or look ahead.

By providing images of the pipe wall, ViewMax can provide operators with more information on the causes of failures in their wells or to bett er understand the nature of their problem. The tool works with either the fi bre optic video system or the HawkEye III electric line camera.

Contact us at: 403-532-0873www.exprogroup.com

Imagine the typical large horizontal fracturing operation. Now Imagine taking that operation to a never-belore-seen scale in canada, running uninterrupted for well over 100 days. Imagine an operation that included:

o Operating and maintaining over 55,000 dedicated HP on site.

o Pumping 50,275 tonnes of sand over 111 days.

o Dedicating over 150 workers to support the operation.

o Building an Innovative on-site sand terminal to automate the continuous loading, storing, weighing, and distribution of sand that has travelled from up to 2,000 kms away.

o Being in one of the most remote regions of Canada, thousands of kilometres from home base, with helicopters becoming key operational tools.

o Working in the dead of winter, in temperatures as low as -40' C and in bliuards and white-out conditions, requiring you to keep everything from freezing and failing. Water. Acid. Machinery. People.

Now imagine completing this huge operation ahead of schedule and surpassing pertormance expectations.

This was Horn River in the winter of 201 0, the largest singl&-Iocation fracturing project in Canadian history, almost four times larger than the previous record.

This was Sanjel taking fracturing to an unprecedented new level.

And we have just begun, Stay tuned for more.

There's a new anargy here at Saniel. Tha anargy to do mora.

At Horn River, Sanjel Took

Fracturing to an Unprecedented

New Level

There's a New Energy Here

Acldlzlng' C.mlmlng· CDllldTublng' Fl1Itblrlnll" NllnIU11I Pr'lde b P rI mance . I ------------ r e or . sanle .com Clinla • USA • Inlllmational

Fracing

38 tech guideFracingSchlumberger/halliburton

What Began as a seemingly insolvable challenge — to economically release vast quantities of natural gas trapped in shale formations across North America — is becoming increasingly routine as service companies, from tech savvy majors all the way to one-man startups, apply their own expertise to the one-time conundrum. As play after play is unrav-eled, turning around what was just a few years ago considered a sunset industry, companies continue to find novel ways to trim costs and squeeze out more molecules of gas from the ultra-low permeability rock.

With the shale gas nut effectively cracked, the horizontal drilling and multi-stage fracing that unraveled those difficult plays is now migrating to more conventional reservoirs, giving new life to once tired plays.

As majors like Schlumberger and Halliburton tout their latest, all-encompassing innova-tions to improve completion economics, medium to micro players like Trican, Triple D Technologies and Golder (see following stories) offer niche solutions of their own in a bid to catch a piece of the action.

Schlumberger has played to its greatest strengths, its size and multidisciplinary know-how, to create a range of new tools and techniques targeting Canada’s most promising shale gas play, northeast British Columbia’s Horn River Basin. And Schlumberger believes those innova-tions are on their way to not only unlocking that potentially massive, though remote, play, but spreading to other basins worldwide.

Technology leapCOmpAnieS BiG AnD SmALL jOin The frAy TO ADvAnCe frACinG TAiLOreD TO new pLAySBy Maurice Smith

39tech guideFracing

Schlumberger/halliburton

“With the recent focus in shale gas activity, primarily in northeast B.C., but not restricted to there, we are very focused on improving our ability to understand the reservoir and improve completion practices,” says Trevor Gorchynski, Unconventional Gas Business manager, Canada. “Geologically speaking, what we have in northeast B.C. is probably the potential, with the Horn River Basin, to be one of the best shale gas plays in North America.

“We have lots of examples of how we can complete these from our previous experience in plays such as the Barnett shale [in Texas] and others. But we can’t assume what works there is what is going to work for us here. We still need to really advance our understand-ing of the reservoir to allow us to have lots of knowledge to make informed decisions,” says Gorchynski.

Shale gas plays, which require maximum reservoir exposure to be economic, have been solved through the use of long horizontal wells that are fractured in multiple zones along their several-hundred-metres length. Most producers, according to Salman Khalid, a Calgary-based Schlumberger senior petrophysicist, have been working under the assumption that the reservoir changed little along the length of the horizontal. Each zone, therefore, was fractured identically. But as detailed logging can reveal, the reservoir is not consistent, with qualities varying abruptly in vertical and lateral directions, and therefore each frac should be designed specific to each zone.

“What we are trying to do is to optimize fractures in horizontal wells. And the first thing to understand is the heterogeneity of the reservoir along the horizontal, which is contrary to what many people assume — which is that everything along that horizontal is homogeneous,” says Khalid.

The principal means to characterize the lateral has been openhole wireline logging — tak-ing readings before the well has been cased and cemented. But that has its drawbacks, since it requires the presence of a drilling rig, adding to day rate costs. And it can be risky, notes Khalid. “Because you are in the open hole, you are subject to the possibility of getting stuck there or having other issues, which could delay the process or just increase the expense on the part of the operator.”

Given those limitations, companies were forgoing logging of the lateral portion of the well altogether, says Gorchynski, to the detriment of the completion strategy then employed. “The trend in the market has been to only conduct reservoir evaluation on the initial and vertical wells, and then apply this knowledge to the rest of the field,” he says. “We have seen lots of recent instances where we are not entirely sure of the stress environ-ment that we are in when we are completing some of these wells, and this has led to us not effectively stimulating the well.” Oftentimes, a refrac is then required, he notes, creating additional expense.

Understanding reservoir properties beforehand and planning completions based on that knowledge is the key to production optimization, he stresses.

Schlumberger’s alternative to openhole logging, aside from the option of using logging-while-drilling tools, was to devise a method to log the lateral after it has been cased, cemented, and the rig has been released. To accomplish this, the company marshalled the expertise of its in-house Data & Consulting Services (DCS) group to produce solutions from cased hole tools that can provide the same reservoir answers, after completions, as openhole logging tools could before completions. The DCS group employs over 2,200 technical experts, including geologists, geophysicists, petrophysicists, and reservoir and production engineers.

The new cased hole solution may take a different route to get there, but they are now capable of producing the same basic answers as openhole logging tools, at a lower cost and without the risks.

With such instruments as spectroscopy logging, epithermal neutron porosity logging and multidimensional shear sonic logging tools, Schlumberger can now provide all the necessary measurements post-casing. Tools available include the ECS Elemental Capture Spectroscopy logging tool, which provides in-situ geochemical analysis; the Platform Express platform that provides an integrated combination of neutron porosity, density, gross gamma ray and electri-cal logs; and the Sonic Scanner used to measure anisotropy and mechanical properties with axial, azimuthal and radial information.

“Some of the parameters that we look at are lithology, porosity, organic carbon, water saturation and mechanical properties of the rock, which includes stresses, and those kind of things,” Khalid says. “When you have the knowledge of these variables, you go in and choose your completion strategy based on that. You can optimize parameters like pumping pressure, volume that you are going to pump in, the proppant that you are going to use. So basically

←initiating flow

Schlumbergerperformsmultiplestimulationtreatmentsonahori-zontalshalegaswellinnortheastB.C.

40 tech guideFracingSchlumberger/halliburton

what you are getting is the flexibility of intel-ligent design,” he says.

“This technique has been optimized in Canada and we have been using it success-fully for about the past year or so,” Khalid adds. “Most of the focus in Canada has been in the Horn River, but it’s being applied in other places like the Montney, and I’m sure as people get to know about it there will be a lot of application, [and] I’m expecting that people from the U.S. will pick it up as well.”

Other new tools include the Flow Scanner horizontal and deviated well production logging tool, which, using five small spinners aligned vertically that can take readings from five “slices” of the wellbore from top to bottom, excels in horizontal wells the way previous tools did in vertical wells, and the two-drive, modular TuffTRAC cased hole services tractor can run up to six drive sec-tions as needed to push heavy loads through the wellbore.

Taken together, such new tools and tech-niques have combined to bring down the cost of production from the potentially prolific Horn River Basin in a fraction of the time it took to make the Barnett shale the massive, highly profitable play it is today. And part of the reason for that is the valuable learnings taken from the Barnett and applied to other shales, which provide an invaluable starting point for all shale plays that have followed.

“I think all that learning has helped us shorten the learning curve dramatically in the Horn River, and the same could be said of the other opportunities that we are seeing in Canada,” Khalid says. “There are other plays which are coming up as well — the Montney is not a classic shale but it is considered as a shale reservoir, and there are the Colorado shales which others are looking at, the Bak-ken, the Utica in Quebec, and then there are others that people are looking at which they are not talking about.”

unique approachesIn its focus on the Montney, an emerging

tight natural gas play in northeast British Columbia and northwest Alberta, Halliburton was also faced with a play with a hetero-geneous character that presented unique stimulation challenges.

“The whole world is not a Barnett shale; there is a real tendency for people to think that everything is the same as the Barnett shale and that everything should be done the same way and that’s definitely not true,” says Halliburton’s Robert Taylor, who has spent the last year on core studies of the Upper Montney from two different wells and two different producers.

“What we are seeing in areas that we have studied is that there are definitely some issues with water sensitivity and to just go in and copy what is done in the Barnett shale [which displays little water sensitivity] would definitely be a mistake,” he says.

↑spinner advance

Schlumberger'sFlowScannertoolusesfivespin-nersinsteadofonetomoreaccuratelymeasureflowindeviatedandhorizontalwells.

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Flow regime in near-horizontal wellFlow regime in near-vertical well Flow regime in deviated well

41tech guideFracing

Schlumberger/halliburton

new ToolsOther innOvatiOns halliBurtOn announced last year include Stimulation for the Digital Asset workflow that provides the capability to view real-time stimulation data in engineering, geological and geophysical inter-pretation environments. This enables operators to use all the information they have not only to monitor and adjust treatments on the fly, but also to design better stimulation treatments, improve perforation strategies and improve field development plans. This workflow brings together leading solutions from Halliburton’s

fracturing, microseismic mapping, and software products and services.

The company’s Cobra Frac H coiled-tubing-based fracturing service helps operators achieve increased fracture intensity by enabling the placement of virtually an unlimited number of fractures in the horizontal section of a well. This solution, based on Halliburton’s unique treat-ment process coupled with a new bottomhole assembly using advanced elastomer technology, has already provided significantly improved pro-duction from more than 30 horizontal wellbores in Canada’s Spearfish tight-sand formation, the company said. The Cobra Frac H service uses a bottomhole assembly which enables post-frac

analysis to determine treatment effectiveness and it can also be used to efficiently refracture existing wellbores.

Halliburton also has a new extreme-tem-perature synthetic fracturing fluid comprising the first system that performs confidently at temperatures above 450 F while providing the proppant transport capabilities critical for the successful fracturing of deeper, hotter formations. In addition, this fluid system does not require a formation cool-down process, as did previous systems, which often contributes to poor initial well performance. This new fluid system is helping operators turn high-temperature discovered resources into producing assets. ■

The Upper Montney that was studied exhibits reduced “regained methane perme-ability” as a function of both frac fluid water content and exposure time, says Taylor, a senior technical professional manager. A key challenge for the operator is to maximize the effective fracture flowing half-length to get better production from the wells and to maximize the fluid clean up. “The faster you can clean up the fracturing fluid, the faster you are going to get it on production and that can be very important as the production you get in the first two or three months can be a large part of the economics of the well,” he says.

A paper presented at the Canadian International Petroleum Conference in 2009 discussed work in which a large number of fracturing fluids were studied for regained methane permeability with Montney core. Of the fluids studied, four were identified which outperformed the others — two water-based and two hydrocarbon-based.

Although there are issues with water retention and slickwater was not the best choice, it certainly wasn’t the worst choice as damage to the reservoir also is a key issue, says Taylor. (Slickwater fracs combine water with a friction-reducing chemical additive that allows the water to be pumped faster into the formation.) “We don’t want to have any more water content in the fluids than we have to; we want to get it out of the reservoir as quickly as we can.”

The study observed that the highest

regained methane permeabilities as a function of drawdown pressure used energized fractur-ing fluids that minimize the total water injected into the reservoir. Specifically, it found the most effective systems were water-based, ultra-high quality (90% quality or higher and 10% or less water) foams and hydrocarbon-based systems.

On the water-based side, the OmegaFrac system combined three different components, each of which had previously been used separately, resulting in improved performance over a traditional guar-based fluid.

In order to facilitate the higher quality foam, a different type of proppant needed to be incorporated, in this case a new patented lightweight MonoLayer proppant that forms a partial monolayer providing improved fracture conductivity. As lower concentrations are required, the monoproppant enables the use of high quality foams while still injecting the required amount of proppant into the fluids. A potential issue with a normal proppant is that with the use of a high quality foam there are limits as to how much proppant can be put into the fluid. The monoproppant has been tested for high closure structures to 10,000 pounds per square inch.

The third component of the system is a new base gel polymer that provides both improved fracture conductivity and low shear viscosity for improved proppant transport.

As operators work to understand the Montney and other tight reservoirs, among the key questions they are trying to answer is how many fracs there should be, their spacing and the spacing of the laterals with the objective of effectively draining the reservoir while not com-pleting more fracs than are necessary. “That really gets into the need to do proper computer modelling and design, which is part of what we are offering here,” says Taylor. “The overall goal is to deliver higher asset value so at the end of the day by applying these technologies the operators are actually seeing better overall economics.”

With the monoproppant, considerably less product — as a rule of thumb 10 times less — is required so it is faster to work with, which saves both time and money. “As you get into

more remote locations, that in itself can be a factor.”

In the end, though, operators can best fully realize the potential of the Montney with a thorough understanding of the reservoir in which they are working, Taylor emphasizes. “That usually means taking your time on the first few wells and doing a lot more testing ... to really delineate what you’ve got,” he says. “Then you can go ahead in more of a produc-tion mode.” ■

←MonoProp

MonoPropproppant(left)andconventionalbauxiteproppant(right)suspendedinthenewOmegaFracfracturingfluid.Thespecificgrav-ityofMonoPropvirtu-allyeliminatesproppantsettling.

←Monolayer

Left:Distributionofproppantinaconventionalstate-of-the-artproppedfracture.Right:FractureproppedwithapartialmonolayerofMonoPropproppantdemonstratedinanAPItestcell.

42 tech guideFracingTrican

Many of the shale gas plays across North America which are transforming natural gas supply fundamentals are dependent on hydraulic fracturing technology to force open channels for the gas to escape. But much of the several tonnes of sand or manufactured proppant pumped downhole to buttress the cracks blasted into the rock during a frac job is wasted, settling on the bottom of the created fractures close to the wellbore.

That has companies looking for ways to drive more of the prop-pant deeper into the formation, such as making them smaller or lighter, using extremely high slickwater pump rates to maximize turbulence or adding chemicals to the water to better carry the prop-pants farther out.

Trican Well Service Ltd. thinks it has a cheaper, simpler solution. Company researchers developed a surfactant that causes a thin layer of micro bubbles to adhere to the grains of sand or synthetic prop-pants, allowing them to be more easily picked up, kept in suspension and more effectively transported within the turbulent flow, resulting in better distribution in the fracture network.

Dave Browne, corporate director of technology, likens the treated sand grains to lightweight beach balls. “When it gets into the current it’s more like a beach ball in a stadium where everybody just gives it a tap and it keeps going, whereas a regular sand grain would be more like a soccer ball — it is still going to move, but it is a lot harder to keep it airborne, or waterborne.”

The patent-pending proppant transportation modifier, christened FlowRider, is the product of three years of research spearheaded by Kewei Zhang, a surfactants expert who completed his PhD thesis on the subject. Preliminary field results showed as much as a tripling of production compared to offsetting wells.

Slickwater fracs Slickwater fracs have become de rigueur for the burgeoning shale

gas sector because, unlike gel-based fracs — which use polymers to thicken the fluid to better carry proppants — slickwater fracs are cheaper, require less cleanup and are less damaging to the tight, low-permeability formations. Chemical friction reducers added to the water enable higher pressures to be applied at surface, allowing the fluid to be pumped faster into the formation. But without gels, prop-pant transport can be compromised.

“The friction reducer makes the water more slippery to lower the

Lightening The LoadBuBBLe-ATTrACTinG prOppAnT BOOsTs DisTriBuTiOn ThrOuGhOuT frACTure neTwOrksBy Maurice Smith

↖planar fracture

Conventionalslickwater(top)versusslickwaterwithFlowRider,drain-ageareaafter10-yearsofproduction.

43tech guideFracing

Trican

friction in the wellbore; otherwise the pressure is too high on surface and it costs too much to pump,” says Browne. “That’s what defines these slickwater fracs is that there is very little viscosity, one to three centipoise. The problem with not having viscosity is that there is no way, other than turbulence, and high pump rates, to carry the sand deep into the reservoir.

“As soon as the turbulence and the velocity decrease as you get out into the rock, because it gets wider than it is in the tubing, the sand starts to fall out. It forms a bed at the bottom of the fracture and it piles up, and so you keep pushing the sand along the top of what is already there and depositing it at the end of the pile, at the end of the dune, so to speak. So you end up pumping large amounts of water and large amounts of sand to try and access all the reservoir that you want to break up with your fracturing process.

“But because we are adding this air to the system, and it’s attach-ing to the sand grains, we end up getting this far better proppant transportation.”

Transportation modifier FlowRider, added in concentrations of about two litres to 1,000

litres of water, is a two-component system added simultaneously to the water to make the sand attract air, or airphilic. It therefore allows relatively affordable sand to perform like synthetic ultra-lightweight proppants that are made of materials like polymers to increase buoyancy. Ultra-lightweight proppants are not only more expensive, Browne says, but typically “can’t withstand the heat and the crushing” encountered in the formation.

FlowRider leaves no residue and tends to gives the sand a “fluffy” quality that inhibits the hard packing of sand. “When you stop [pump-ing] in a regular slickwater frac, the sand all just falls to the bottom and packs quite tightly, whereas this sand treated with our transporta-tion modifier, it almost looks like the sand is fluffy due to the layer of bubbles around it.” That makes it easier to pick up and set in motion.

The company has found that the proppant pack has about 20% more connectivity than when it doesn’t have the additive. “We believe that’s because it was ‘fluffy’ and doesn’t pack as tightly, which creates more permeability.”

Tests were conducted on a core sample from an Alberta sandstone to simulate what effect the water and chemicals within the water have on the rock, Browne says. “We used a typical slickwater fracing

↑rise to the top

AlabtestcomparesabottleofTrican'sregularslick-waterfracfluid(left)and40/70meshnaturalsandwithabottleofitsslick-waterfracfluidwiththesamesandplus0.4%proppanttransporta-tionmodifier.

fluid and compared it to this transportation modifier, and what we found was that we had about 80% regain permeability with a regular slickwater fluid in the core, and 105% regain permeability with the fluid treated with our transportation modifier, so we actually improved the ability of that core to move gas through it. Normally you damage the core a little bit but this one showed that we actually improved it.”

Tests were conducted on a core sample from an Alberta sandstone to simulate what effect the water and chemicals within the water have on the rock. The company found that a regular slickwater fluid in the core produced about 80% regain permeability compared to 105% regain permeability with the fluid treated with FlowRider, actu-ally improving the ability of the core to move gas through it.

Browne says that is because of the product’s airphilic quality, which reduces the water saturation in the core. “All gas reservoirs have a certain amount of water in them that coats the sand grains or shale of the reservoir. Our product wants to attach itself, in a microscopic layer, to the sand grain and then it attracts the air to it. So then the water is in the middle of the pore space and wants to flow out rather than being stuck to the sand.”

Because the sand suspension qualities are so good, FlowRider improves proppant distribution over the height of the reservoir and transports it farther into the formation. Pumping can be reduced to produce the same results, reducing horsepower requirements, says Browne.

The addition of FlowRider eliminates the need for flowback enhancer additives and costly gelled fluid sweeps designed to push the sand bank deeper into the formation preventing a near wellbore sand-off. Additionally, Browne says FlowRider can work with any type of proppant and it can get the same results as conventional fracing using less proppant and water.

Given the thriving shale gas sector even in today’s relatively low natural gas price environment, Trican anticipates a huge potential market for FlowRider. “All of North America right now is focused on these shale gas plays. We believe that this could be a real game-changer for the whole industry because it would make shale gas fracturing far more efficient,” says Browne. ■

Contact for more informationDave Browne, Trican Well Service, Tel: (403) 215-5890, Email: DBrowne@trican.ca

44 tech guideFracingTriple D Technologies

ant flows through the annulus between the two pipes, freezing the water-filled wellbore in the process. Use of concentric tubing in the closed-loop system keeps the refrigerant from ever directly contacting the water or the reservoir and provides a means of moving the freezing process along the length of the wellbore even while the outside tubular is frozen in place.

By relying only on the sheer might of water expansion as it turns to ice to create the necessary fracture pressure, the process does away with the surface equipment required in conventional fracing to produce extremely high pressures needed and pump them downhole. It is thus inherently safer, less costly and creates a significantly smaller surface footprint com-pared to conventional fracturing techniques, Kosakewich says. Additionally, the system uses produced water in volumes only enough to fill the wellbore and requires no fresh water, gels or other chemicals as is typical with traditional fracs.

“We can do a frac without the frac trucks and usual equipment and we get frac pressures in the neighbourhood of around 300 mpa [megapascal], which is two to three times greater than anything you can get on the surface,” he says. “The internal coil of the tubulars is move-able, similar to the retractable aerial on your car, so we can position it any place we like while the outer one is frozen in place.

“With ice we can then also put together some very interesting isolation packing situations. If we wanted to shut off a flowing water zone, we would just set up over it, freeze there first, and then move on. We have the only packer in the world that can go through a slotted liner and seal to the wellbore.”

Whereas conventional fracing tends to produce horizontal cracks, requiring the pumping of proppants as a buttress to counteract gravity’s tendency to close them, Triple D’s technique offers a simpler solution, Kosakewich believes. “Ice behaves in such a way that the forces go out radially from the freeze point, and so consequently you get a vertical frac, which doesn’t close once you take the freezing away. Because it’s been vertically loaded, in our system, we don’t need to use proppants at all.”

The freeze frac is significantly cheaper than other methods, Kosakewich says, estimating an average cost of about $125,000 to $150,000 per frac. The initial market push will be for enhanc-ing production from existing, low-production wells. “It will allow producers that have mature fields to take another look at their assets and give them the ability to get wells producing again.

They can step up the value of their asset with-out [spending] too much money.”

Triple D formed an alliance with Calgary-based companies Technicoil Corporation and PetroJet Canada Inc. to bring the tech-nology to market. Technicoil will provide the delivery system while Petrojet will provide downhole services.

In one field trial of the freeze frac in a Nexen Inc. coalbed methane well, the tech-nology itself worked flawlessly, says senior staff engineer John Anderson, though the end result was less encouraging.

“In terms of the operation of the freezing, there were no issues whatsoever — it worked perfectly,” he says. “But as far as the effective-ness of the treatment, the jury is out on that. There was really no effect either positive or negative on the production of that well. I was hoping that we would get some cracking of the coals, some fracturing, perhaps two metres out into the coal, to increase the near

wellbore permeability. But we have not seen that happen.”Anderson cautions the lack of production response may be due more to the reservoir cho-

sen than the technology. “I don’t think coal was the best candidate. Being such a soft rock, the fractures we created may have resealed themselves. Shale gas plays, tight gas sands, something of that nature, might be a better candidate.

“I am convinced that the freezing downhole does take place. Depending on rock type, the fractures created by the freezing may increase the producibility, or possibly help in hydraulic frac initiation or other stimulation techniques.” ■

Contact for more informationDarrell Kosakewich, Triple D Technologies, Tel: (780) 440-3348, Email: tripledtech@hotmail.com

hOrizOntal multi-fracture technology is revolutionizing oil and gas production across North America, opening up new resource plays and boosting produc-tion by double-digit percentage points. But it comes at a cost as the fracture technology requires ever growing amounts of horsepower — and the surface infrastructure needed to produce it and force it into tight reservoirs far downhole.

The president of an Edmonton-based startup thinks there is a better, simpler and cheaper way to produce the same results. And he uses a fluke of nature to do it.

Darrell Kosakewich, founder, president and majority shareholder of Triple D Technologies, wants to use the unique property of water to expand as it freezes — about nine per cent in volume — to move the process of creating the necessary frac pressures underground, to the reservoir itself.

Similar to the freeze-thaw process that cre-ates frost heaves that damage roads, the tech-nique Kosakewich has patented freezes water downhole, causing it to expand and crack the rock, opening up passageways for hydrocar-bons to flow back to the wellbore. “Let face it, ice moves mountains, so why wouldn’t it move a little bit of formation,” he says.

The process uses concentric coiled tubing, or alternatively jointed pipe and coiled tub-ing, to circulate a refrigerant along the length of a horizontally drilled wellbore. The refriger-

ice BreakerinvenTOr TurnS TO nATure TO frACTure TiGhT fOrmATiOnSBy Maurice Smith

↗freeze frame

TripleDTechnologies’freezefractechnique

usestheexpansionpropertyoffreezing

watertofracturethereservoir.

45tech guideFracing

Golder

the aBilitY tO accuratelY predict and optimize drainage volumes in gas shales is no simple feat. The movement of hydro-carbons and other fluids in gas shale and other naturally fractured reservoirs often is not as expected or predicted. Flow through fracture networks are scale dependent, anisotropic and highly heterogeneous, complicating well completions and development planning.

However, recent advancements in understanding one of the most important geological parameters in shale gas reservoirs — the natural fracture system — are aiding exploration and production companies in their quest to optimize drilling programs and, ultimately, recovery.

Evidence from microseismic monitoring of hydraulically induced fracture growth shows that hydraulic fractures sometimes propagate away from the present-day maximum horizontal stress direction, negatively affecting well performance. One likely cause is that existing fractures act as weak planes that reactivate during hydraulic fracturing.

That’s why knowledge of the geometry and intensity of the natural fracture system is important for effective hydraulic fracture treatment design, as production is often dominated by large fractures and the ability of wells to connect to them, says Doug Bearinger, geology advi-sor for Nexen Inc.

“As far as advancement goes, historically hydraulic fracturing models have been fairly simplistic. They essentially use a poroelastic model that assumes the rock is not fractured to begin with, which gets you into trouble if you keep making that assumption in a reservoir that is already quite fractured,” explains Bearinger, who is involved in advancing the company’s Horn River shale gas play in northeastern British Columbia.

“I think people are coming to appreciate that hydraulic fractures are not typically simple bi-wing planar fractures and that they also intersect open natural fractures.”

Characterization of natural fractures is increasingly becoming a key element in the game plans of shale gas players. And for good reason, Bearinger says, noting that fractured reservoirs are particularly chal-lenging because production is dominated by the reservoir scale of the fracture fabric.

“It’s important to have awareness in understanding fracture systems, the sort of things you should look at. For instance, there’s the whole problem of scale. It’s not like a conventional reservoir where you take a piece of core and say, ‘Yeah, this represents the permeability and porosity of this sandstone.’ The scale at which the fabric repeats itself is much, much larger than a core,” Bearinger says.

“A core could be extremely conservative and make you think something is no good at all or be way too optimistic because fractures often cluster.”

Bearinger says there are certain measure-ments that can go a long way in helping companies understand which fractures might be more productive than others. For instance, out-crop exposures can help with understanding fracture fabrics provided that the importance of scale and fracture size are observed, and with

images of suitably oriented boreholes, fracture sets can be identified and quantified. Fracture properties are also determined through core examination, fluid loss measurement and production logging.

“However, in terms of the natural fracture fabric, probably the best tool we have to model and work with — or at least play with what the possibilities could be based on the data we have — is the discrete fracture network [DFN] model,” Bearinger says.

dFn modellingPaul La Pointe, manager of petroleum services for the FracMan

Technology Group at Golder Associates Inc., says DFN modelling technology developed by his company — called FracMan — has been successful in helping clients plan their shale gas drilling programs.

“As an industry we do a good job figuring out where the gas is in the matrix, and we know a lot about the engineering, but one of the big unknowns is the natural fracture system and how best to connect the well to it via hydraulic fracturing. That’s where our technology comes in,” La Pointe says.

discrete improvementfrACTure neTwOrk mODeLLinG SySTem heLpS

ShALe GAS prODuCerS DeveLOp A GAme pLAnBy Paul Wells

↗integrated

application

FracManReservoirEdition(FRED)allowsgeologistsandengi-neerstoseamlesslyintegrategeological,

geophysicalandwell-testdataintoasinglequantitativediscrete

fracturenetworkmodel.Theresultingmodelscanthenbe

usedbyindustry-standardapplications

toevaluatewelldrillinglocationandcomple-

tiondesign,gelandgrouttreatmentdesign,

estimateoriginaloil-in-place,andcompute

estimatedultimaterecovery(EUR).

“ I think people are coming to appreciate that hydraulic fractures are not typically simple bi-wing planar fractures and that they also intersect open natural fractures.”

46 tech guideFracingGolder/Source energy Tool Services

“To optimize drainage, you’ve got to tap into a natural fracture system that’s an efficient collector of the gas, the natural ‘plumb-ing’ of the reservoir. What we do is we make models of this fracture plumbing and simulate the microseismic response and flow in it.”

Not only does this help validate the “plumbing model” of the natu-ral fracture system, it also enables producers to better understand the resulting drainage.

“Th e microseismic response tells us the volume of the fracture system connected to the well through the fracs, which in turn gives us a better understanding for the potential drainage volumes,” La Pointe notes. “After we’ve calibrated one of these models we can look at diff erent well orientations and locations, and diff erent hydro-fracing designs, to see how they impact drainage.”

La Pointe explains that DFN models provide the means for quantifying hydraulic properties from measured fracture data obtained. Fracture network models can be used to estimate hydraulic parameters for reservoir simulation, interpret well test and evaluate reservoir performance.

“We really focus on the fracture component. We work with a num-ber of diff erent companies down in the Barnett [shale in Texas], for example, and help them fi gure out where to focus their development or how to redesign what they’ve been doing,” La Pointe says.

“One of the things we try to do is fi gure out why some wells are good and others are bad, and try to determine to what extent the natural fracture system and the way it’s being accessed through hydraulic fracturing plays a role.”

DFN models can help determine average well estimated ultimate recovery (EUR). La Pointe notes that well recovery and produc-tion within fractured reservoirs is highly variable and uncertain since eff ective connectivity of the well with the existing fracture system is highly heterogeneous. He says the network realizations are stochastic so they can be used to quantify uncertainty in the results. “Since the fracture network models use a stochastic approach, the probability distribution of well production can be determined. Quantifi cation of uncertainties in reservoir development cannot be provided by standard reservoir models with the same geological realism,” he says.

DFN models can enhance the optimization of well spacing. Specifi -cally, these models can be used to quantify the compartmentalization of the fracture network, the eff ective drainage radius and eff ect of fracture anisotropy on the shape of the drainage patterns. “Th e scale eff ects of fractured reservoirs are particularly important here and cannot be assessed with standard porous media continuum models,” La Pointe explains.

According to La Pointe, fracture network models can also predict the eff ectiveness of well stimulation techniques, as models show how the hydraulic fractures link up with existing fracture systems.

DFN models provide new insights into secondary and tertiary recovery design and performance. “Secondary recovery within frac-tured reservoirs is often problematic, particularly when the injection fl uid surrounds and isolates matrix blocks prior to their complete de-saturation,” La Pointe explains, adding that it is possible to improve the eff ectiveness of recovery using DFN models as this approach more accurately portrays advancing fronts, early water breakthroughs, the eff ectiveness of gel treatments and the eff ects of thermal stimulation than conventional reservoir models.

Data for constructing DFN models can be derived from a wide variety of geological, geophysical and production data, including lineament maps, outcrops, two-dimensional and three-dimensional seismic, well logs of various types, core, single-well and multi-well production tests, fl ow logs, injectivity profi les, as well as structural or depositional conceptual models. ■

Contact for more information Paul La Pointe, Golder Associates, Tel: (425) 883-0777, Email: plapointe@golder.com

fOr sOme Oilfield service companies, multi-stage fracturing has become the life-blood of Western Canada’s oil and gas industry, thanks to the success of horizontal drilling in formations like the Montney in British Columbia and the Bakken in Saskatchewan.

Although not fi rst to the party by any means, a Lloydminster, Alberta-based company claims its tools set it apart from competitors.

Source Energy Tool Services Inc. says its MultiStim Liner System is a bonus for producers tackling multi-stage fracs due to the ability to use the liner’s full-bore diameter during fracturing and other operations.

In the usual multi-stage frac operation, intermediate casing extends downhole, to the point where the well turns horizontal. From there, an uncemented liner extends laterally into the uncased open hole.

Typically, the fi rst step involves running a fracturing string into the liner, to the toe of the well. Th e well is then pressured up and packers are set, isolating the open-hole sections for fracturing. With the pack-ers set, a pressure-activated port near the toe of the well is opened, allowing the fi rst — and smallest — of several composite balls to be pumped down the well and into the liner.

open channelsuSe Of fuLL-BOre DiAmeTer iS key TO new Liner SySTemBy James Mahony

MultiPak Liner Packer

Centralizer

47tech guideFracing

Source energy Tool Services

Th e ball “fl ows” down the liner to the end, where it lands in a fl ow-lock shoe, plugging the toe of the well, and creating a closed chamber. Now, the fracturing is done, one stage at a time. At each stage, the ball-drop is repeated, using an increasingly larger ball, as the heel of the well is approached.

According to Source, the MultiStim liner can handle fracs of up to 17 stages. At the end of each one, the fracturing string is pulled up the well, leaving several balls and ball seats downhole, along the length of the liner. Depending on the well, the balls may fl ow back to surface. While they can do so, the ball seats cannot, and would stay downhole, except that some operators want to retrieve them.

Th at can be done with Source’s seat-retrieval tool, conveyed downhole on jointed pipe or coiled tubing. Th e tool pulls the ball seats from the well in one run. Th e company’s treatment of the ball seats is a key diff erence between MultiStim and other isolation liners. Other liners often leave the ball seats downhole, although operators can, if they wish, mill or drill them out later, but that can be costly, Source says.

Under the MultiStim system, when the ball seats are removed, Source also cleans out the remaining sand from the liner, using clean-

↖open for business

TheMultiStimlinersys-temallowsoperatorstousetheliner'sfull-borediameterduringfracingandotheroperations.

←back again

ByusingtheMultiStimliner,operatorscanrunbackintothewelltore-stimulate,isolatezoneslettinginwater,orconductsandclean-outsandproductionlogging.

Retriev-a-SeatFrac Port

MegaSeal OpenHole Packer

MultiStim FlowLock Shoe

ing fl uid. With other liners, since the ball seats stay downhole, the working diameter of the liner is reduced to the point that conven-tional tools can’t be used in the well, Source says.

For example, when fracturing is complete, some operators want to production-log the well, run packers for isolation-testing, or conduct other operations using conventional tools. Th at’s not pos-sible with the seats in place. Even if the operator drills or mills them out, the company still does not get the full inner diameter that it started with.

On the other hand, Source says the MultiStim liner allows the operator to run back into the well and, for example, isolate a zone that’s letting water in. In addition, where an operator wants to return later to re-stimulate, the MultiStim system allows it, while some oth-ers do not, he says.

According to one user, being able to recover the ball seats after fracturing is MultiStim’s main advantage.

“It opens the well back up to full inner diameter,” says Brian Stanthorpe, a well completions specialist with Petrobank Energy and Resources Ltd. “Th at’s important if you’re running diff erent tools later on.”

He cites production-logging and sand clean-outs as among the more common operations that might have to be done later on. As well, after removing the ball seats, operators can use conventional tools.

“But with the ball seats in place, you’ve got a restricted inner diameter. It then becomes kind of a tradeoff , in that you can only run coiled tubing, unless you take the seats out.”

Petrobank has used the MultiStim liner on horizontal Bakken oil wells that were multi-stage fractured. Apart from gaining the freedom to re-enter the wellbore later with conventional tools, Stanthorpe says the system allows the operator to selectively close frac ports, a useful feature, although not unique to the MultiStim system, he notes.

“Th ere are other [systems] with a closable port as well, but I think [Source’s] is the easiest to shift closed,” he says. ■

Contact for more informationJay Halpenny, Source Energy, Tel: (403) 206-4730, Email: jhalpenny@sourceenergy.ca

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50 tech guidedaTa ManagEMEnT & SoFTwarECGi

fOr prOductiOn accOuntants, few things are as excruciating as the conversion from one software system to another. A necessary evil, perhaps, but something that should be kept to a minimum, undertaken as infrequently as possible.

“Production accounting system conversions are generally fairly painful, and anything you can do to limit the amount of times you might have to convert from one system to another is certainly worth investigating,” says Darren Anderson, manager, Operations Account-ing for Devon Canada Corporation.

But as technology, and the regulations by which production accountants (PAs) must operate, change, old systems become antiquated and must be replaced. And, as some Western Canadian companies were learning, software vendors could be as unreliable as a weather forecast, leaving producers on the lurch when they went under or stopped supporting an existing software system, a problem confronting Devon recently.

“The vendor that supported the product we were on had given us a date of when it was going to be unsupported, so that became our new deadline [to migrate to a new provider],” Anderson relates. “That date also coincided with the new royalty framework coming into play in Alberta, and because they weren’t going to sustain their product beyond that point, our current product wouldn’t handle the new framework, which made it obsolete.”

Needless to say, sustainability in a new system was a high priority. In fact, it was the key ingredient when officials from four major producers sat down at an informal breakfast meeting in 2003 that started the ball rolling in re-thinking how production accounting systems are developed, maintained and made to last. Unsatisfied with existing options, but each lacking the resources to single-handedly spearhead development of a new and last-ing solution, Encana Corporation, Talisman Energy Inc., Husky Energy Inc. and Devon banded together in an unusual collaborative venture to jointly create one.

The companies put the concept out to tender and received 18 responses from across North America and overseas before narrowing their search to CGI, Canada’s largest pure-play IT/business process outsourcing company. With 26,000 employees, offices in 16 countries and revenues of $3.8 billion last year, the Montreal-headquartered company already produced one of the four major PA systems in use in Western Canada, called Triangle, as well as production, financial and asset management systems.

“The big selling point that CGI had is that they absolutely under-stood the whole concept of sustainability — it involved a different way of looking at the product than the traditional market had,”

explains Anderson. “That’s important because, going into this, the four sponsor companies had a vision of creating a sustainable product that could have a life of 15 to 20 years — which obviously is an eternity in the IT world.

Sustainment board The companies created a “sustainment board” with representa-

tion from each sponsoring company as well as a seat for the vendor, which “would have one voice on the board but wouldn’t be able to dictate — as it was with the old model, where the vendor more or less made all the calls,” Anderson says.

Like the four sponsoring majors, CGI embraced the concept from inception, revamping the development process to bring the produc-ers into the loop. An average of three PA professionals, subject matter experts, from each of the sponsoring companies were loaned over several months to CGI, where they sat shoulder-to-shoulder with software engineers to guide development every step of the way. Altogether, the team would grow to as many as 76 people at its height, including CGI staffers, seconded professionals and specially hired consultants, to produce the Production Accounting Solution (PAS) system.

“As the service provider to the joint venture, we took on what we refer to as a shareholder model, rather than the traditional vendor-client approach to software,” says Peter Robinson, partner

Breaking The MouldeSChewinG The COnvenTiOnAL CLienT-venDOr reLATiOnShip, COmpAnieS COLLABOrATe fOr BACk-OffiCe iTBy Maurice Smith

“ The agile methodology is a very iterative process where the cycles are less than a week. The developers and the business people are sitting side-by-side, so if the developer isn’t sure about something, they can con-fer with the subject matter experts from the oil and gas companies and course-correct very quickly.”

51tech guidedaTa ManagEMEnT & SoFTwarE

CGi

and vice-president, Oil and Gas Solutions and Services, CGI. “Under the shareholder model, governed by the sustainment board, there is a contractual group of the voting members, whereby the sustain-ment board sets the development priorities, approves the budgets, approves the staffing rates, and sets the service levels and reserves for future technology development.

“So the industry is in full control over what gets done and what priorities are set. It’s not the software vendor saying ‘No, I am not going to put that in the release,’ but rather a business-driven and co-operative approach — a joint venture partnership. The end result is a system truly designed by PAs, for PAs.”

agile methodology CGI chose the highly-collaborative “agile methodology” to produce

PAS. Developed in reaction to the sometimes overly-regimented waterfall model — entailing a linear and sequential approach to software design (with no going back, like water that has cascaded over the falls) — agile involves breaking tasks into small increments worked on by self-organizing teams in iterations, or short time frames, with regular re-evaluation in a nimble, adaptable workflow. Teamwork, customer involvement and face-to-face communication are emphasized.

“The agile methodology is a very iterative process where the cycles are less than a week. The developers and the business people are

sitting side-by-side, so if the developer isn’t sure about something, they can confer with the subject matter experts from the oil and gas companies and course-correct very quickly,” says Robinson.

Everybody liked the approach, he adds. “The whole idea of having the subject matter experts there while you are developing the code is becoming a real cornerstone in any software development.”

Robinson says PAS, with its modern web-based, web services orientated architecture, represents a step-change from the increas-ingly outdated systems it is replacing. With time freed up through decreased data entry and greater efficiencies, PAS allows PAs to concentrate on higher-value work such as analysis, property reviews and best practices.

Mindful of the anxiety a new product rollout can create, CGI built in an incremental functionality that allows for a gradual implementa-tion. Training was another priority, with a sophisticated online help facility and interactive training techniques. But the main lever to get PAs on side is the functionality and intuitiveness built into PAS as a result of the shared development model.

going live PAS testing began in 2007, with Devon first to go live in September

of that year and first to complete conversion in October 2008. Husky, Talisman and Encana followed in 2009, with the first non-sponsor company to migrate to PAS, Penn West Energy Trust, expected to complete conversion in 2010.

Terri Kinsman, general manager of production accounting at Penn West, says PAS has performed beyond expectations. “We definitely expected that there would be efficiencies created by the system but certainly not of the magnitude that were created,” she says. “It is incredibly efficient — most of our production accountants would tell you they are saving at least a day, if not more [in a monthly cycle] in terms of getting their splits done and processing their facilities.”

Developers examined everything from screen design to the most efficient way to do gas allocation to improve the look and feel of the system. While their old systems were menu driven, PAS is a quicker, mouse-based point-and-click based system, Kinsman notes. “It has a fabulous look and feel about it. The dashboard is really user friendly and it hasn’t been difficult to learn. The support that we have had from CGI has been very good and there have been very few glitches, really, when you think of the magnitude of the project.”

PAS, Kinsman points out, has allowed Penn West to consolidate the four legacy PA systems it had accumulated through acquisitions into one uniform system.

PAS design allows simple export/input of entire property master and monthly data, she says. And the once arduous task of transferring properties — often involving paper files, well lists, facility descriptions and the like, manually transferred in the past — has become, when the transaction is between companies both using PAS , almost as easy as sending an email, she says.

The single biggest glitch, users say, was underestimating the enor-mity of the project early on. Representatives from all five companies were forced to return to management with requests for additional funding early on. All five acceded, determined to create a quality product, says Anderson.

The collaboration that produced PAS may be unusual among typically highly competitive companies, but it worked in this instance because of the non-competitive nature of production accounting. “It’s not a competitive differentiator between these companies — it’s a regulatory and an administrative burden that they all have to meet,” says Robinson.

While PAS was developed with the majors, CGI says it can provide the same advantages to companies of any size. It anticipates signing another five major customers through 2012. ■

Contact for more informationPeter Robinson, CGI, Tel: (403) 213-8478, Email: peter.robinson@cgi.com

52 tech guidedaTa ManagEMEnT & SoFTwarEZedi

natural gas prOducers, from juniors to majors, benefit from the timely flow of critical production information and data. Management at Calgary-based Zedi Inc. believe the recent integration of two applica-tions, Zedi Access, formerly Smart-Alek.com, and Zedi TrueChart, will improve the timeli-ness of the information flow for producers.

Zedi provides the upstream industry with electronic flow measurement (EFM) devices like Smart-Alek and a suite of software applications for the capture and management of data. The company announced the integration of the Zedi Access portal with Zedi TrueChart last October. The integration of the two applications, which operates on an automated basis and is provided at no extra charge to existing clients, allows access to both field chart and EFM data via Zedi Access.

A quick overview that compares the functionality of these applica-tions before and after integration sheds some light on just how this integration should improve the flow of production data and informa-tion overall for producers.

Irrespective of integration, data flows quickly and seamlessly from EFM devices like Smart-Alek, Zedi SCADA and Zedi Connect, to Zedi Access, but, prior to integration, chart-based information was less readily available, often leaving management out of the loop with respect to production data until after month-end.

Charts are gathered with varying frequency, from daily to once a month, but once a week is common. Zedi TrueChart, a high resolution image analysis software package for charts, then as now, would convert the raw paper image to precise data. Often, however, the only person to see this information would be the field operator.

“So, typically, in this situation, the engineers and others in management don’t get this information until after month-end. Now, as soon as the chart information comes in, whether it’s scanned in the field or couriered in, it’s available on Zedi Access. Producers can take advan-tage of the capabilities of Zedi Access to get a view of all the other wells in the field, whether they’re measured by chart or an EFM device like Smart-Alek,” says Debra Deane, VP of service operations and investor relations at Zedi.

Integration provides other benefits. For one thing, producers can now include chart data in trending reports and data exports.

Deane says integration became a logical step after Zedi acquired OAS Oilfield Accounting Services Ltd. (OAS), a Calgary-based private corporation providing chart reading and integration services to the industry, in the fall of 2008. A press release announcing the acquisition noted that, “OAS has developed unique, high-quality image analysis technology that, when combined with Zedi’s current technology, will ultimately deliver consolidated field-wide information throughout a producer via one web-based repository.”

The acquisition, now called Zedi TrueChart, added approximately 25,000 wells measured with charts to the 11,000 wells monitored electronically. “It was an opportunity to give our customers integrated data regardless of the measurement technology at the wellsite,” says Deane.

Without integration, recording the kind of information gathered by Zedi Vital, a field data capture software application that integrates a range of volumetric data, net and gross production numbers, and working interests with accounting applications and registry filings, involved a lot more work in the case of charted wells.

“Previously, a customer would have to enter this data manually for charted wells. It was time-consuming and error-prone. Providing chart and EFM data in one spot simply gives producers faster, easier access to accurate data and provides new capabilities that helps them better manage their opera-tions and compliance requirements,” says Jeff Jewitt, Zedi’s surveillance product manager and project lead for the integration project.

The more automated gathering and movement of data resulting from integration reduces the risk of errors, non-compliance and having to make adjustments, he says. The Energy Resources Conservation Board’s enhanced production audit program (EPAP), which will come into force in Alberta next year, is expected to impose stricter produc-tion auditing standards and could add to the complexity of regulatory filings.

When Zedi announced the integration of chart and EFM data in October, several producers had been using Zedi’s upgraded portal for about six months. One of them was Corinthian Energy Corporation. Colin Davies, the company’s president and CEO, says: “We can now access flow information from all the wells in a field on a more timely basis. The benefit has been access to the information on a number of wells as soon as the field guy gathers the information. This has improved our ability to understand the wells’ perfor-mance and optimize production in a more timely fashion.” ■

Contact for more information Debra Deane, Zedi, Tel: (403) 444-003, Email: Debra.Deane@zedi.ca

Timely dataZeDi’S weLLSiTe pOrTAL imprOveS DATA TimeLineSS — AnD COuLD heLp SAve A LOT Of mOneyBy Godfrey Budd

Leading the way with customer-driven data, integrated software and services for your upstream decision-making needs.

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TheintegrationofZediTrueChartwithZediAccess(formerlySmart-Alek.com)cre-atesefficienciesforoilandgasproducerswiththeabilitytoviewbothchartandelectronicflowmeasurementdatathroughonesecurewebportal.

Leading the way with customer-driven data, integrated software and services for your upstream decision-making needs.

geoSCOUT | gDC | petroCUBE at www.geoLOGIC.com

THANK YOU. Without you there, we wouldn’t be leading the way in superior customer service.

54 tech guidedaTa ManagEMEnT & SoFTwarEppDm

One need lOOk no further than the Bible for proof of the power of common terminology. Speaking one common language, the builders of the Tower of Babel might climb to the very heavens — take that away, and the effort falls apart in confusion and disarray.

Similarly, the lack of a lingua franca to describe something as basic and fundamental to the oil industry as a well has led to no end of miscommunication, misinterpretation and inefficiency, both within the industry and within companies themselves.

With the amount of data surrounding wells increasing exponentially, a need was seen to come to a broad consensus about what everybody was talking about, says Trudy Curtis, CEO of the Calgary-based Professional Petroleum Data Management (PPDM) Asso-ciation. The first phase of the PPDM’s What is a Well? project recently wrapped up with an interactive tool available to its members designed collaboratively by oil companies and leading data vendors around the world.

“The lack of baseline definitions for key well components has created inconsistencies that can represent significant obstacles for companies and regulatory agencies who need to perform comparative analysis and manage well data from different sources and for dif-ferent uses,” says Steve Cooper, PPDM chief communications officer.

The impetus for the project came from the companies themselves, says Curtis.

“You would think, it being our most important business object, that we would know [how to define a well], but we didn’t,” she says, noting common terms are necessary not just within individual companies’ various departments, but among service companies, data vendors and various government regulatory agencies as well.

Consider, for example, the evolution of the well over the past 40 years, she says. “At one time, every well we drilled was essentially a straw poked into the ground. Now if you look at well configurations, I might have one hole in the ground, but have 30 wellbores. And each wellbore might be completed into one formation, or it might be completed into a number of formations. In each wellbore I could have one tubing string or I could have [several] tubing strings. So it has got a lot more complex.”

As complexity has increased, terminology has diverged. One person’s wellbore is another’s borehole. One company’s sidetrack

is another’s lateral. “Not only are there a lot of different terms that people use, but we don’t all mean the same thing when we use the same terms. As you go discipline by discipline — from the person in the land office to the drilling operations crew, the production accoun-tants tracking volumes, geologists when they describe the well, et cetera — each group focuses on a different part or component of that whole well configuration.”

While there may not be a right or a wrong way to label a well component or activity, the route chosen will have consequences, she says, “in terms of the data and information that you can keep, the way that you can describe it, and the way that you can exchange and share information.”

How, for instance, should an existing well be classified when it is re-entered and deepened years after it was drilled. “Is it the same wellbore or is it a new wellbore? For example, if we make a decision that that’s all one wellbore, then what do we do with the original total depth of that first wellbore, which was its total depth for perhaps 10 years?”

Similarly, there have been various ways to define a situation where drilling problems arise, equipment is lost downhole and the well is sidetracked to get around the obstruction. “That abandoned wellbore is never completed and it will never produce. But it’s been drilled and there may be logs and cores and other data, and there have been costs associated with that particular junked and abandoned hole. But most regulatory agencies do not acknowledge the existence of that, so if you submit a log and the log pertains to that abandoned hole, what happens to that log?”

Typically, it is attached to something else, usually the remedial wellbore, Curtis says, meaning that there is a well log going through a portion of the formation that isn’t represented by the portion of the wellbore that the log is now attached to. “So if I am a geologist looking at that well, it isn’t going to make any sense, because it’s attached to the wrong place. The only way to figure that out is to go back to the directional survey, which hopefully will be complete.”

Inconsistencies can be found in several other areas, such as how production is reported or in deal-ing with the numerous regulatory agencies an international oil com-pany will encounter. The Canadian and U.S. well numbering systems, for instance, are “vastly different” from each other, Curtis says.

“Once you start getting into this, it’s amazing the kinds of problems that you find exist. If you have been working in an area a long time, you find the really experienced people know this, but it’s not written down anywhere. And with new people coming into the industry very fast, we have got to ramp them up very quickly in such a way that they will not make incorrect interpretations about what they are seeing. At least with What is a Well?, they have the information compiled, so they have a fighting chance of figuring it out, and that’s part of what What is a Well? is all about.”

The What is a Well? working group initially tried to narrow down a definition of a well and to determine who deals with wells at various stages in their lifecycle, from conception to abandonment. It identi-fied a set of nine terms that outline the important components of a well — such as well origin, wellbore completion and wellbore contact interval — and created a term, a definition and a set of clarifying statements that describe each. A series of simplified illustrations found on the association’s interactive website serve to describe the various wellbore configurations.

what is a well?ppDm’S mAmmOTh effOrT TO STreAmLine weLL DeSCripTiOn LinGO CATChinG OnBy: Maurice Smith

↑new phase

PhaseIIofthe"WhatisaWell?"projectpresentsthewellcomponentdefinitionsandbaselinewelldiagrams.

55tech guideDaTa ManageMenT & SoFTware

ppDM/pason

Narrative text outlines a well’s history. “You can click through the whole story and see what’s happening to that wellbore over its lifetime. It can serve as very good educational material for somebody who is new to the industry or be used as a very good communica-tions tool so that different people can come to a consensus about what they are dealing with.”

The initial working group included a number of major operators, including Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Encana Corporation, Hess Corpo-ration, Nexen Inc., Shell Canada Resources and Talisman Energy Inc., in addition to data vendors geoLOGIC systems ltd. and IHS. Regulatory agencies representing five Canadian provinces and over a dozen U.S. states have also participated.

If anything, the economic downturn seemed to increase interest in the PPDM model, says David Hood, PPDM chairman and president of geoLOGIC. “PPDM itself is being rapidly adopted by companies both at the super-major scale and [among] smaller companies — we are really finding that, in the times we are in, the ability to use a common standard data model really improves efficiency and cuts costs,” he says.

“Part of the strength of the organization is that oil companies come together collaboratively and work to provide an open source standard right across the world.”

While the What is a Well? project is just one of several PPDM initiatives, Hood says some companies have told him adopting What is a Well? alone has justified belonging to the association. He says the distinct characteristics of the Canadian oilpatch are responsible for the direction taken by the organization.

“Calgary is a unique market in many respects, with the concentra-tion of technology companies together with operating companies — a very close-knit group — and also the cross-pollination between the software and data companies and operating companies,” he notes. “We also have government regulation [Alberta's Energy Resources Conservation Board] that ensured data was freely and openly dissemi-nated, and that had a big effect in creating that culture.

“This whole initiative was born in Calgary, and is now going worldwide.” ■

Contact for more information Trudy Curtis, PPDM, Tel: (403) 668-9454, E-mail: curtist@ppdm.org

Monitor and Managenew sysTeM TrAnsMiTs DireCTiOnAL DriLLinG infOrMATiOn, prOviDes reMOTe ACCess TO DATA in reAL TiMeBy Godfrey Budd

With drilling activity on the rise across Western Canada, oil and gas producers will be able to reap the full benefits of a new product from Pason Systems Corp. that offers labour-saving potential.

Introduced commercially last summer, the company’s Remote Directional System (RDS) not only streamlines several critical pro-cesses involved in directional drilling, but can also reduce the number of measurement-while-drilling (MWD) and directional drilling services (DDS) personnel needed at the wellsite.

A key attribute of Pason’s RDS, as its name implies, is the efficient, real-time sharing of directional drilling information on one or more wells among key stakeholders, including the driller, rig manager, geologist, operator and DDS personnel — regardless of their loca-tion. “Ultimately, in some cases, it could eliminate the need for DDS people at the wellsite altogether,” says Dwayne Kelm, drilling adviser at Encana Corporation.

Kelm and his group at Encana have been using the system since the spring of 2009 and, he says, “The bugs have been worked out of the system and it’s a usable tool.”

Using existing Pason infrastructure, the RDS is a software-based product that transmits directional drilling information and provides remote access to the data in real time. It allows DDS personnel to remotely monitor and manage multiple wells and communicate with the driller on the rig floor and in the doghouse. The system replaces existing MWD surface systems by decoding their mud pulse tools using Pason’s pressure sensor, and works in conjunction with the Pason electronic drilling recorder (EDR).

The RDS is a natural extension of Pason’s existing line of products and services, which includes data acquisition, wellsite reporting software, remote communications and Internet information manage-ment tools.

→real-Time info

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directionalinformation,includingtherosebud,

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Defining Facets last suMMer, PPdM kicked off Phase 2 of its What is a Well? project. “Phase 2 is about establishing baseline defini-tions for well status and classification,” says Steve Cooper, PPDM’s chief communications officer. “We have got more companies sponsoring for Phase 2 because there is a lot of interest around standardizing the terminology. And the other thing we are doing is taking Phase 1 analysis and applying that to some additional states in the U.S. and also to Australia.”

Australia has been selected because of its significant PPDM Association membership presence, regulatory data is readily available and there has been a strong expression of interest in participation on behalf of the regulatory agencies, operators and vendors.

Well status and classification, as defined by the PPDM, are essentially different ways of describing wells so that people can find the right well or set of wells for the purpose that they require. These are what the PPDM refers to as facets. A significant component of the project will be to define the different facets. The facets need to be: based upon key busi-ness processes; associated with the baseline well component definitions (Phase 1); tied to the well lifecycle; clearly and pre-cisely defined; and populated with a set of starter values. ■

56 tech guidedaTa ManagEMEnT & SoFTwarEpason

Traditionally, says Canadian sales manager Lars Olesen, in an interview at Pason’s Calgary headquarters, where the RDS was developed, “MWD companies have equipment on the rig that decodes information from down-hole, that transmits data and turns it into something useful. So here, with RDS, the EDR performs the function of conventional surface decoding equipment. MWD provides the raw data for the DDS people to develop an action. Th e EDR is on most rigs. So the merger between EDR and directional drilling is powerful. As it was before, the two were not integrated.”

Previously, the crucial information was, of course, accessible via various programs and systems — remote secure desktop software, Excel, planning software, data aggregation, diagnostics and so on. But, says Olesen, “it was local to one technician’s computer at any one time. Various people could get the infor-mation, but not from one to many systems in real time. What’s new about RDS is a stan-dardized system that allows any directional company to gather and manage information and send executable commands — all on the same platform. Th e system grabs the informa-tion and stores it digitally where everyone can see it at the same time.”

Th e RDS uses an audible alert to notify the driller that an instruction is being sent. Also, any of these instructions is in a standardized format and can be sent to the directional doghouse computer and the Pason SideKick (a versatile, compact remote display similar to the doghouse computer that can be mounted at various locations) on the rig fl oor. In turn, the driller follows a procedure to acknowledge receiving the instruction. Th is helps eliminate the vagaries of ad hoc-style instruction and response, and ensures speed and clarity, says Olesen.

Th e system also includes a control

mechanism to ensure that one user, whether remote or on site, is responsible for opera-tions. Control can be transferred to the MWD technician so the system can be confi gured to work with the downhole tool or to the directional driller so that instructions can be sent to the driller.

Th e RDS can improve well planning — both by importing well plans from the Pason Data-Hub (a data repository for drilling data, well information, tour sheets and morning reports) and through comparing the planned well path with the actual one.

Depending on downhole conditions and the directional drilling program itself, among other factors, it should be possible for a DDS fi rm to manage several wells at a time on a remote basis, says Aaron Eddy, the Pason project lead for the RDS design and development.

No doubt a product like the Pason RDS marks a leap forward in labour-saving and effi -ciency in general. But Derek Logan, director of manufacturing and engineering at Extreme Engineering Inc., a fi rm specializing in MWD downhole instrumentation and communications that worked with Pason on RDS, sees even more system integration and automation around the corner.

“We’re very much in favour of remote, unmanned operations. We need people to do the job, but not necessarily on location,” he says, and adds that as software and instru-mentation technologies improve and mature, further integration and automation become feasible. “For now, Pason’s RDS doesn’t make decisions or execute commands, i.e., it doesn’t control the rig. But, at some point, it could extend to fully automated, unmanned direc-tional drilling,” he says.

Th e Pason RDS, as it gains clients in the MWD sector, will have to contend with the fact that there are several MWD systems. “Each MWD technology will require an integration process as the Pason system has to understand the respective transmission software protocols and technologies,” says Logan.

But once that hurdle is cleared, an MWD fi rm stands to save money and time, based on Pason’s current RDS technology, regardless of any possible further automation. “I now have surface hardware maintained by Pason. Th ere’s no need for us to set up a transducer, cables, remote display or computer hardware, et cetera, for running MWD. Th is would enhance my business because it allows us to access their rig without having to ship out a whole lot of infrastructure. Surface hardware and decoding are done by the RDS system. We don’t have to spend time on it,” says Logan.

Steve Mravunac, a partner at NuEra Oilfi eld Services Inc., a DDS fi rm, sounds perhaps less sanguine than Logan about the prospect of unmanned directional drilling. “I can reduce the number of men but never eliminate the need on occasion for on-site personnel.” Also, he says that with the greater use of remote control and shared information, it could become critical to clearly identify the lines of responsibility.

Despite the caveats, he believes the underlying rationale is sound. And again, there are savings. “I don’t have to buy and install $40,000 to $60,000 worth of surface decoding equip-ment,” says Mravunac. ■

Contact for more informationLars Olesen, Pason, Tel: (403) 301-3400, Email: Lars.Olesen@pason.com

Drill Rig Work Site Pason Communications

External Work Site

Sensor

Downhole Tools

Drilling Rig

Directional and MWD Personal,Computers and Equipment

Global Communications ViaPason Satellite systems and DataHub

Pason SoftwareReduction in travel of Directional and MWD Personnel

Directional Drilling Data

Directional Drilling Instructions

Pason Computers and Equipment

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helping clientsincrease productivity

Another powerful suite

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Having everything you need in one software solution saves your company time and money. It’s also easy to use with our Windows-based platform.

Thousands of landmen, engineers & geologists use geoSCOUT™ oil and gas mapping and analysis software every day, to make more efficient, informed decisions.Give us an hour for a demo – we know you’ll see the value. Call 403.262.1992Email info@geoscout.com | Online www.geoscout.com

If you know what you’re doing – you only need one

↑remote access

PasonsaysitsRemoteDirectionalSystemisacost-reductionsolutionfordirectionaldrillingcompanies.UsingexistingPasoninfrastructure,thesoftware-basedproducttransmitsdirectionaldrillinginformationandprovidesremoteaccesstothedatainreal-time.

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industry-leading customer service

easy & efficientmigration of existing data

helping clientsincrease productivity

Another powerful suite

of tools from

Having everything you need in one software solution saves your company time and money. It’s also easy to use with our Windows-based platform.

Thousands of landmen, engineers & geologists use geoSCOUT™ oil and gas mapping and analysis software every day, to make more efficient, informed decisions.Give us an hour for a demo – we know you’ll see the value. Call 403.262.1992Email info@geoscout.com | Online www.geoscout.com

If you know what you’re doing – you only need one

58 tech guidedirEcToryData management & Software

Alternate Solutions Inc.565 Arvin Ave.Stoney Creek ON L8E 5N7905-643-8289www.asifl uid.com

Ambercore140, 1 Antares Dr.Ottawa ON K2E 8C4613-820-4545www.ambercore.com

AMEC Training & Development Services400, 111 Dunsmuir St.Vancouver BC V6B 5W3604-664-4367www.amec.com/training

Amorex Solutions Ltd.1500, 324 - 8 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 2Z2403-770-7865www.amorex.com

AVEVA2600, 144 - 4 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 3N4403-303-3335www.aveva.com

B & G Systems Canada54, 850 Tapscott Rd.Scarborough ON M1X 1N4416-646-2885www.b-gsystemscanada.com

Brillium Corporation12 Hamptons Pl. N.W.Calgary AB T3A 6B8403-614-3913www.brillium.ca

Canadian Discovery Ltd.300, 706 - 7 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 0Z1403-269-3644www.canadiandiscovery.com

C-FER Technologies200 Karl Clark Rd.Edmonton AB T6N 1H2780-450-3300www.cfertech.com

CGI Information Systems and Management Consultants Inc.900, 800 - 5 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 3T6403-218-8300www.cgi.com

CL Consultants Limited3601A - 21 St. N.E.Calgary AB T2E 6T5403-250-3982www.clconsultants.ca

Computer Modelling Group Ltd.150, 3553 - 31 St. N.W.Calgary AB T2L 2K7403-531-1300www.cmgl.ca

Control Microsystems48 Steacie Dr.Kanata ON K2K 2A9613-591-1943www.controlmicrosystems.com

Copyseis Ltd.6705 Fairmount Dr. S.E.Calgary AB T2H 0X6403-253-3425www.copyseis.com

Coraspec Systems1600, 521 - 3 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 3T3403-262-8750www.coraspec.com

CriticalControl Solutions Inc.1100, 840 - 7 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 3G2403-705-7500www.criticalcontrol.com

Datacon Core Imaging Inc.2410F - 2 Ave. S.E.Calgary AB T2E 6J9403-270-9350www.dataconimaging.com

DGL Software Services Ltd.200, 1040 - 7 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 3G9403-234-9202

Energy Navigator2200, 101 - 6 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 3P4403-233-9400www.energynavigator.com

Energy Solutions International200, 7904 N. Sam Houston Parkway W.Houston TX 77064281-664-8200www.energy-solutions.com

Enersight Corp.204, 3320 - 17 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T3E 0B4403-246-7447www.enersight.com

Entero Corporation500, 1040 - 7 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 3G9403-261-1820www.entero.com

Envirosoft Corporation10-B, 1235 - 64 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2H 2J7403-225-8760www.envirosoft.ca

Fekete Associates Inc.2000, 540 - 5 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 0M2403-213-4200www.fekete.com

data management & software directory

59tech guidedirEcTory

Data management & Software

Financial Services & Management Group Inc.66 Discovery Ridge Manor S.W.Calgary AB T3H 5L8403-861-8299www.fsmg.ca

Fugro Data Solutions Canada4221 - 23B St. N.E.Calgary AB T2E 7V9403-250-1119www.fugro-data.ca

Gas & Oil Accounting (1988) Ltd.200, 1040 - 7 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 3G9403-234-9202www.dglsoftware.com

GEDCO1200, 815 - 8 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 3P2403-262-5780www.gedco.com

geoLOGIC systems ltd.900, 703 - 6 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 0T9403-262-1992www.geologic.com

Geomodeling Technology Corp.1100, 665 - 8 St. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 3K7403-262-9172www.geomodeling.com

Glenbriar Technologies Inc.301, 401 - 9 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 3C5403-233-7300www.glenbriar.com

GuildOne, Inc.901, 304 - 8 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 1C2403-355-8900www.guild1.com

Halliburton Landmark Software & Services1600, 645 - 7 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 4G8403-231-9300www.halliburton.com

Hampson-Russell Limited Partnership510, 715 - 5 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 2X6403-266-3225www.cggveritas.com/hampson-russell

IFP Technologies (Canada) Inc.810, 744 - 4 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 3T4403-234-0342www.ifp-canada.com

IHS200, 1331 Macleod Trail S.E.Calgary AB T2G 0K3403-770-4646www.ihs.com/energy

Jedex Equipment Ltd.4, 4063 - 74 Ave. S.E.Calgary AB T2C 2H9403-531-8670www.jedex.ca

M.W. Hagel Consulting Ltd.18 Golden Key EstatesCalgary AB T3P 1A5403-265-7800www.optimus.ab.ca

Mustagh Resources Ltd.134 Hubman LandingCanmore AB T1W 3L3403-265-5255www.mustagh.com

NEOTEC430, 910 - 7 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 3N8403-277-6688www.neotec.com

Oil Lift Technology Inc.Bay 3, 1820 - 30 Ave. N.E.Calgary AB T2E 7M5403-291-5300www.oillifttechnology.com

Open Door Technology Inc.108, 7710 - 5 St. S.E.Calgary AB T2H 2L9403-777-2410www.opendoor.ca

P2 Energy Solutions2100, 639 - 5 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 0M9403-774-1000www.p2energysolutions.com

Pandell Technology Corp.215, Bldg. B8-2526, Battleford Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T3E 7J4403-271-0701www.pandell.com

Paradigm Geophysical (Canada) Ltd.2110, 125 - 9 Ave. S.E.Calgary AB T2G 0P6403-571-1555www.pdgm.com

Pason Systems Inc.6130 - 3 St. S.E.Calgary AB T2H 1K4403-301-3400www.pason.com

Peloton Computer Enterprises Ltd.450, 1000 - 7 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 5L5403-263-2915www.peloton.com

Petris Canada805, 734 - 7 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 3P8403-225-4954www.petris.com

PHH Petroleum Consultants Ltd.240, 1121 Centre St. N.W.Calgary AB T2E 7K6403-232-6822www.phhpc.com

Professional Petroleum Data Management AssociationBankers Hall PO Box 22155Calgary AB T2P 4J5403-660-7817www.ppdm.org

Quest Computer Consultants145, 6815 - 8 St. N.E.Calgary AB T2E 7H7403-275-2775www.geometrix.ca

Resource Energy Solutions Inc.204 - 7A St. N.E. Calgary AB T2E 4E8403-245-0220www.resourceenergysolutions.com

RiskAdvisory, a division of SAS (Canada)970, 401 - 9 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 3C5403-263-7475www.riskadvisory.com

SAP Canada Inc.600, 400 - 3 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 4H2403-269-5222www.sap.com

Schlumberger Information Solutions (SIS)600, 322 - 11 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2R 0C5403-294-4300www.slb.com/sis

Sierra Systems Group2500, 1177 West Hastings St.Vancouver BC V6E 2K3604-688-1371www.sierrasystems.com

SustaiNet Software International Inc.98, 887 Great Northern WayVancouver BC V5T 4T5604-717-4327www.sustainet.com

Teknica Overseas Ltd.910A, 800 - 6 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 3G3403-269-4386www.teknicaltd.com

Terra Management Inc.611 - 71 Ave. S.E.Calgary AB T2H 0S7403-269-6090www.terramanagement.com

Terrapoint Canada140, 1 Antares DriveOttawa ON K2E 8C4613-820-4545www.terrapoint.com

The Fluid Life Corporation9321 - 48 St.Edmonton AB T6B 2R4780-462-2400www.fl uidlife.com

3esi200, 1601 Westmount Rd. N.W.Calgary AB T2N 3M2403-270-3270www.3esi.com

Trivision Geosystems Ltd.314, 602 - 11 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2R 1J8403-777-9454www.powerlogger.com

WellSight Systems Inc.102, 7370 Sierra Morena BlvdCalgary AB T2H 4H9403-237-9189www.wellsight.com

XI Technologies1700, 734 - 7 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 3P8403-517-0111www.xitechnologies.com

Zedi500, 600 - 6 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 0S5403-444-1100www.zedi.ca

coMMunicaTionS

61tech guidecoMMunicaTionS

intelliview

a calgarY-Based technOlOgY company has come up with an explosion-proof video surveillance system with remote applications to protect assets — people and equipment — to ensure everything in the fi eld is operating as it’s supposed to.

IntelliView has created video surveillance with real-time fi eld intelligence, by converting closed-circuit cameras into video sensors for use in remote areas. Among other benefi ts, it reduces the need for on-site security and operating personnel.

Where it’s really unique is the analytics in the box where the camera’s images are stored, says Shelly Brimble, the company’s com-munications and marketing consultant. Th e smrtDVR box contains software IntelliView has programmed to recognize specifi c events such as somebody crossing a fence line, someone loitering around a well site, a worker down, an object left behind and pipeline leaks. “Th ere are endless applications for this product,” says Brimble.

It can operate in temperatures as cold as -50 C, and monitor meters, pumpjacks, oil leaks and fl are quality. For example, it can trigger an alarm if the gauge on a fl ow-valve meter exceeds a pre-defi ned limit. It can also remotely monitor production and report meter readings.

Th e product went commercial in 2006 when it was used by Nexen Inc. To date that is the only oil and gas company employing the system, though there have been international deployments, at remote sites that were exposed to vandalism.

Nexen recognizes that security analytics can assist in increasing the safety and security of its assets, says Brent Fulmek, Nexen’s manager of divisional information technol-ogy services. Th e company is piloting three of IntelliView’s security analytics systems and has found the graphical user interface allows the user to easily select pre-defi ned security rules that, in the event of a breach, can record the event and

candid cameraviDeO SurveiLLAnCe SySTem CAn heLp prOTeCT ASSeTSBy Lynda Harrison

send an alert to a handheld device, says Fulmek. It is still in the testing phase but initial results are encouraging, he says.

Using analog surveillance cameras, IntelliView can detect, identify and track objects. Two-way audio communication combined with video and digital data enables interaction with authorized and unauthorized individuals at remote sites. “It’s really good for sour gas applications, for any kind of sensitive infrastructure like collection pipelines coming into a grouped area,” says Brimble. It could also ben-efi t emergency response planning, refi neries, upgraders, compressor sites and at oilsands construction sites, she adds.

Each smrtDVR box can be equipped with four cameras and each camera can have 10 event notifi cations, such as an intrusion, assigned to it. Companies can choose the events and change them at any time. When a selected event occurs the system sends out a notifi cation in a low-resolution jpeg photo or video. “Th e beauty of it is you don’t need huge streaming video or huge infrastructure for communication,” says Brimble.

Th e alert can be sent by cellular phone, satellite and electrical power

lines. It can send notifi cations to handhelds including BlackBerry and iPhones, or if a client prefers, they can have a built-in third-party monitoring company option or tie it into their existing monitoring solution, she says.

False alarms set off by natural occurrences such as rain, snow, glare and shadows were a huge problem with analytics in the past but that’s been solved for IntelliView by a team of six PhDs from the University of Calgary.

“We’re one of 10 companies in the world that can open up the box because we have our own source code, and re-program the code,” Brimble says.

Th e system uses its own localized power — solar, battery, or gas or diesel generators — and communication infrastructure. IntelliView is also exploring the use of fuel cells, using methanol, so it can be left in remote locations for up to three months without maintenance. ■

Contact for more information Shelly Brimble, IntelliView, Tel: (403) 338-0001, Email: brimble@intelliview.ca

↙Eye Spy

IntelliViewhasdevel-opedasmartvideosurveillancesolutionthatconnectscustom-erstoonsitecameras.

62 tech guidecoMMunicaTionSCan Telematics

a cOmpanY that matches available trucks to shippers with loads to move — but no mover — is not far removed from the concept that drives many North American dating services.

In essence, Can Telematics matches avail-able truckers with loads through a service called Mobile Match.

Customers are typically trucking compa-nies, which pay a monthly fee to post the availability of their idle trucks online. Th e company is targeting 30% of the oil and gas trucking market, according to one of its executives.

“If a trucker is looking to advertise on our network of 30 loadboards, he simply

Mobile Matchesnew ServiCe AimS TO mATCh AvAiLABLe TruCkerS wiTh LOADSBy James Mahony

broadcasts that through our Mobile Match service,” says Duncan Ford, Can Telematics’ chief technical officer. “It then broadcasts to the loadboards where he’s at, and that he’s available.”

On the other side of the equation, people or companies with loads to move will also be able to use the service for a monthly fee. They too will post information about the loads they want hauled on electronic message boards, to which the truckers will have access through the Web (the system will be geared mainly to trucking fleets, rather than to independent truckers).

Although no one at Can Telematics is calling Mobile Match a dating service for trucks, it bears a resemblance, as they say. One useful innova-tion is that the service will off er a GPS system to narrow the location of available tractor units for interested shippers.

Eventually, Mobile Match also plans to adapt its mobile data terminals (MDT) for trucking

companies. Th e ultimate plan is to install the MDT units in cabs, allowing truckers to

contact Mobile Match directly and relay their availability. While rig-owners would have to buy the MDT units and pay a

monthly fee to use them, they would gain one benefi t in that their geographic position would automatically be updated as the truck moves across the country. ■

Contact for more information Duncan Ford, Can Telematics, Tel: (403) 450-7854, Email: Duncan@Canhaul.com

63tech guidedirEcTory

Communications

Applied Electronics Limited5170-B Timberlea Blvd.Mississauga ON L4W 2S5905-625-4321www.appliedelectronics.com

Barnett Engineering Ltd.215, 7710 - 5 St. S.E.Calgary AB T2H 2L9403-255-9544www.barnett-engg.com

Benchmark Data Solutions5, 4001 - 19 St. N.E.Calgary AB T2E 6X8403-590-9101www.benchmarkdata.ca

BH Electronics Ltd.23 Deermoss Pl. S.E.Calgary AB T2J 6P5403-278-2084www.www3.telus.net/hendersb

Can TelematicsC5, 6215 - 3 St. S.E.Calgary AB T2H 2L2403-450-7854www.cantelematics.com

Cartel Energy Services Inc.Box 155, Beiseker AB T0M 0G0403-947-3334www.cartelenergy.com

Energy Processing/Canada500, 900 - 6 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 3K2403-263-6881www.northernstar.ab.ca

Glentel Inc.8501 Commerce Crt.Burnaby BC V5A 4N3604-415-6500www.glentel.com

Guardian Telecom Inc.7552 - 10 St. N.E.Calgary AB T2E 8W1403-258-3100www.guardiantelecom.com

Hinz204, 801 Manning Rd. N.E.Calgary AB T2E 7M8403-235-5305www.hinz.com

Infosat Communications, Inc.3130 - 114 Ave. S.E.Calgary AB T2Z 3V6403-543-8188www.infosat.com

IntelliView808 - 55 Ave. N.E.Calgary AB T2E 6Y4403-338-0001www.intelliview.ca

Microhard Systems Inc.17, 2135 - 32 Ave. N.E.Calgary AB T2E 6Z3403-248-0028www.microhardcorp.com

Network Innovations Inc.4424 Manilla Rd. S.E.Calgary AB T2G 4B7403-287-5000www.networkinv.com

Northern Transportation Company Limited42003 MacKenzie Hwy.Hay River NT X0E 0R9867-874-5100www.ntcl.com

Platinum Communications Corporation15, 6320 - 11 St. S.E.Calgary AB T2H 2L7403-301-4590www.platinum.ca

Priority Leasing Inc.200, 7909 Flint Rd. S.E.Calgary AB T2H 1G3403-216-1930www.priorityleasing.net

Reboot Communications Limited814, 41 Dallas Rd.Victoria BC V8V 4Z9250-388-6060www.rebootconference.com

Rigstar Communications Inc.3567 - 52 St. S.E.Calgary AB T2B 3R3403-243-0600www.rigstar.ca

Rigwatch InstrumentationBay 22, 5025 - 51 St. S.E.Calgary AB T2B 3S7403-263-6777

Rinax Systems Ltd.5542 - 1A St. S.W.Calgary AB T2H 0E7403-243-4074www.rinax.com

Rittal Systems Ltd.7320 Pacifi c CircleMississauga ON L5T 1V1905-795-0777www.rittal.ca

Sigit Group Inc.540, 734 - 7 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 3P8403-723-4256www.sigitgroup.com

T1 Services Inc.204, 4216 - 10 St. N.E.Calgary AB T2E 6K3888-522-7180www.t1telcom.ca

Telesat Canada1601 Telesat CourtGloucester ON K1B 5P4613-748-0123www.telesat.com

Trinity Electronics Systems Ltd.10708 - 181 St.Edmonton AB T5S 1K8780-489-3199www.trinity-electronics.com

Westcan Wireless12540 - 129 St.Edmonton AB T5L 4R4780-451-2355www.westcanwireless.com

Western Midland Communications Ltd.8, 3601 - 19 St. N.E.Calgary AB T2E 6S8403-250-9433www.westernmidland.com

communications directory

HEalTHSaFETy &EnvironMEnT

65tech guideHEalTH, SaFETy & EnvironMEnT

enviro vault

When envirO vault officially began in 1997, founder and president Russ Hebblethwaite patented what he calls the “internal chamber concept in storage tanks.” It wasn’t by chance, however, that he raised the bar set by previous incarnations of tank design, as he had for many years worked closely with tanks used in the oil and gas sector, an experience that highlighted the operational and safety issues relative to tanks and formed the basis for the Enviro Vault design features.

Hebblethwaite is firm in his belief that the Enviro Vault concept is the most significant modification to the design of above ground storage tanks in recent history. The company provides a variety of products that include or build upon this patented concept whereby a recessed chamber is installed inside the tank with an access door through the tank wall, and where all valves, sample taps, electronic controls and heater (if required) are also mounted within this internal chamber.

These products address environmental concerns posed by leaking valves and piping. They also address the high service costs associated with spill cleanup, frozen valves and high level switches and, most importantly, Hebblethwaite notes, they address “serious safety con-cerns for those working with the tanks as it provides operators with ground level” access to valves and instrumentation.

“The use of the Enviro Vault keeps operators off ladders and out of confined spaces such as traditional external tank shacks,” he says.

Enviro Vaults can be installed in any size or shape of new tank or in-service tank. To date, it is primarily used in the upstream petroleum industry for heavy oil, production tanks, produced water, rental tanks and separator packages. However, this concept offers many benefits for other applications outside the oil and gas industry where a tank is required.

The first Enviro Vaults were manufactured to address valve-related concerns associated with larger heavy oil tanks, those capable of stor-ing between 750 and 1,000 barrels of the thick crude. A novel concept at the time, industry began to integrate the new technology into other storage applications. Today the vaults have attained widespread popularity. Typical new and retrofit tank sizes to date range from 25 to 5,000 barrels.

While “tradition” proved to be their biggest nemesis, some 14 years and over 16,000 tanks later, the Enviro Vault is enjoying a steadily increasing market share of the tank valve and piping containment market across Canada and the United States.

In the years since first entering the marketplace, Enviro Vault has gained a place of prominence within the Western Canadian oilpatch. With the company’s market share in new heavy oil tank manufactur-ing now in the 90% range, Enviro Vault is set to unveil some recently announced technologies that Hebblethwaite says will “open up vast new opportunities” for the internal chamber concept.

vaulting aheadenvirO vAuLT STriveS TO Be

The CurrenT — AnD fuTure — STAnDArD in TAnk DeSiGn

By Paul Wells

↖outside in

EnviroVaultisthepatentedconceptofinstallinganinternalchamberinsidethetanktohousevalves,heaters,levelcontrolsandspillcontainment.

66 tech guideHEalTH, SaFETy & EnvironMEnTenviro vault

↗poor practices

EnviroVault’sproductlineaddressesenviron-mentalconcernsposed

byleakingvalvesandpiping

As the industry continues to evolve and focus more attention in the regulation of environmental and safety issues, Alberta’s Energy Resources Conservation Board updated Directive 055 to provide better storage practices for the upstream petro-leum industry in January 2008. This renewed emphasis has spurred a series of Enviro Vault solutions to meet these new challenges.

At a recent Petroleum Technology Alliance Canada event, Enviro Vault introduced three new designs that will further enhance the operational efficiencies and environmental performance of tanks — the DuoVault, FloVault and ThermoVault.

The issue of secondary containment in the event of a major failure is the principal design behind Enviro Vault introducing its DuoVault product to the market. The DuoVault is essentially a “tank-in-a-tank” concept intended to enable producers to meet the issues of secondary containment while still enjoying all the benefits of the original Enviro Vault and the flexibility of “no dikes.” The DuoVault runs vertically from the tank floor to its roof, providing continuous, uninterrupted interstitial space around the primary tank with available 110% containment. The DuoVault also has all the benefits of the original model, such as spill containment, heated and protected

instrumentation including site glass, and high level shutdown switches.

Enviro Vault’s new FloVault was launched in June. It is a separator package located inside the Enviro Vault that offers a smaller footprint on the lease. It also offers heater efficiency using a single heater for tank con-tents and equipment as well as ease of transport.

The ThermoVault will be the third new product to launch as it will be transitioning to the testing phase of Enviro Vault’s research and development process mid-year. Essen-tially an Enviro Vault with multiple catalytic or electric heaters, this unit is intended to offer a cleaner, safer alternative to fire tubes for smaller BTU heat requirements. Upcom-ing ThermoVault testing will compare energy requirements, fuel gas savings and reduction in air emissions to conventional fire tube

applications for potential carbon tax credits for producers. Enviro Vault is working with Alberta Innovates Technology Futures and the National Research Council’s Industrial Research Assistance Program in conducting an extensive research and development pro-gram for the ThermoVault that is expected to be complete by early 2011.

“Listening to the concerns of the industry from regulatory boards to operators in the field and investing heavily in research and development of innovative new tank design technologies, Enviro Vault has become a leader in the above ground storage tank industry,” Hebblethwaite says. “With a proven track record of existing designs and new products in the queue, one can expect Enviro Vault to continue providing the next genera-tion solutions for tank safety and environ-mental stewardship going forward.”

There has been a steadily increasing inter-est from United States-based producers for technologies that address environmental solutions, particularly emissions, which has prompted Enviro Vault to start a U.S. corpo-ration headquartered in Denver. ■

Contact for more informationRuss Hebblethwaite, Enviro Vault, Tel: (250) 703-1995, Email: russ@envirovault.com

“ Listening to the concerns of the industry from regulatory boards to operators in the field and investing heavily in research and develop-ment of innovative new tank design technolo-gies, Enviro Vault has become a leader in the above ground storage tank industry.”

67tech guideHEalTH, SaFETy & EnvironMEnT

hifi engineering

With the mOdest natural gas prices of recent months, cost-conscious producers are taking a closer look at the bottom line. As part of those eff orts, many are reviewing maintenance costs. In that category, the need to repair downhole leaks that allow gas to reach surface is common enough.

Leaks fall into two groups: gas migration, where gas works its way to surface, often outside the wellbore, and surface casing vent fl ow, where gas moves up the wellbore, often between production and surface casing. Gas migration is considered less serious than surface casing vent fl ow.

For Alberta’s oil and gas regulator, whether casing vent fl ow or gas migration, downhole leaks are a problem that needs attention. Under Energy Resources Conservation Board (ERCB) rules, leaks need to be reported. Depending on severity, casing vent fl ows may be classed as serious or non-serious. Th e ERCB gauges seriousness through a formula that considers well depth, gas pressure and fl ow rate.

Repairing leaks can be costly, and production is usually stopped during repairs. According to Lance Gosselin, a production and completions engineer for Cenovus Energy Inc., $150,000 per well is not out of line with the costs of repair-ing a casing vent fl ow. Th at would include two runs at plugging the leak, usually by perforating the casing and doing a cement squeeze.

“It’s pretty rare that we’d get it on the fi rst try,” he says. “We go in, hit it, and if it’s still there, we go back in for a second remediation and hopefully get it then.” At times, though, before the well is fi nally abandoned, a company could spend up to $1 million on the necessary remediation.

But before remediation, the leak must be found. “Th at’s the biggest challenge,” says Gos-selin. Until now, the tools for the job were a microphone on a wireline. Sounds from the well were recorded, interval by interval, much like any other well-logging. Th e sound of hissing gas has its own signature and recordings would be interpreted to locate the source of the vent fl ow.

Now, a small Alberta company has found another way. According to John Hull, founder of HiFi Engineering Inc., fi bre optics provides a faster, more accurate way of fi nding down-hole gas leaks.

An electrical engineer, Hull explains that, while a fi bre optic line can serve as a conduit for data travelling as pulses of light, the untreated fi bre is not acoustically sensitive and could not normally detect diff erences in sound or pressure.

However, Hull has developed a method of treating the fi bre that transforms it into an acoustic sensor. After treatment, the fi bre itself becomes the “microphone” and is “extremely sensitive to acoustics, much more so than the human ear, with equally high fi delity,” Hull says.

Apart from being able to move data at the speed of light, the fi bre can sense even faint sounds in the wellbore, hence its usefulness for tracing casing vent fl ows or gas migration through the noise produced.

“It’s important to note we’re using fi bre optics [both] as a sensor and as a transmission medium,” says Hull. “Not only are fi bre optic sensors very sensitive, but we’re sending huge amounts of data: that’s how we get the fi delity and quality of measurement.”

One of the functions of HiFi’s software is to provide a suite of sound signatures that allow operators to better recognize casing vent fl ow and distinguish it from other downhole noise.

leak Finder fiBre OpTiCS prOmiSeS weLL-OperATOrS A BeTTer ‘eAr’ fOr DOwnhOLe GAS LeAkSBy James Mahony

HiFi’s fi bre optic technology was exten-sively tested at the former Alberta Research Council’s lab in Edmonton, and the company has logged six commercial jobs, according to Hull. In addition, the system’s fi bre optic acoustic sensors were tested on four Cenovus natural gas wells in Alberta, including those handled by Gosselin.

For engineers like Gosselin, the signal-to-noise ratio is key to the usefulness of any sound-detection device. In a nutshell, the higher the ratio, the more sensitive the tool.

“If your ratio is fi ve-to-one, you wouldn’t hear the noise of the small bubbles causing the surface casing vent fl ow, but if you expand that to 350-to-one, then all of a sud-den you can grab the really low-amplitude stuff and hear it,” he says.

Th e phenomenon is not limited to older wells. Every time Cenovus sinks a new well, a crew member performs a 10-minute bubble test, checking the casing vent fl ow pipe at surface for signs of gas fl ow (the pipe exits from the surface casing). “If there’s any bubble fl ow, you’ve got to determine the severity of it,” Gosselin says.

Hull acknowledges Cenovus has a stake in HiFi’s success, since the producer invested in the company through a technology innovation fund created before Cenovus split from Encana Corporation. He believes the distributed acoustic sensor system will be road-ready by mid-2010. ■

Contact for more informationJohn Hull, HiFi Engineering, Tel: (403) 852-3454

↙listening ear

HiFi’stechnologyconsistsofadistributedfibreoptic-basedsensorarraythatcangatherprecisedataalongtheentirewellboreinafractionofthetimeofcurrentmethods.Thesystemconsistsof1)atransmissionlinetothehydrophonesand2)upto256tightly-woundacousticfibrehydrophones.

➋

➊

68 tech guideHEalTH, SaFETy & EnvironMEnThex-hut

Safe and SoundinvenTOr’S new SheLTer SySTem heLpS

LOwer riSkS fOr wOrkerSBy Jacqueline Louie

safetY, QualitY and productivity: these are the driving pas-sions of Mark Moroney, founder, inventor and principal shareholder of Calgary-based Hex-Hut Shelter Systems Ltd.

“It’s all about safety,” asserts the 51-year-old businessman, who designed the six-sided welding tent for use on any in-situ thermal heavy oil or oilsands construction project, “pretty much anywhere folks are building above-ground pipeline facilities.”

Hex-Hut’s simple, rapid and consistent deployment means that workers can perform their jobs more effi ciently, eff ectively and safely, says Moroney, who founded Hex-Hut Shelter Systems in 2003 and serves as the company’s operations vice-president. Th e Edmonton-born entrepreneur, who grew up in Calgary, co-owns the company with brothers William and Paul.

An independent rig welder who worked in the oil and gas con-struction industry for 25 years — primarily in Western Canada as well as a three-year stint in Russia — Moroney also spent four years as a construction site representative for a major oil and gas producer. Moroney came up with his idea for the multi-purpose shelter system as a direct result of his on-the-job experiences trying to weld in extremely challenging conditions.

Made from rubberized fi re retardant polyvinyl chloride canvas, the patent-protected, umbrella-shaped Hex-Hut off ers a unique alterna-tive to the non-engineered, jury-rigged shelters that have traditionally been used in the welding business. Each unit’s lightweight aluminum frame, which folds out like an umbrella, attaches to the pipeline or structural steel being welded. Since there is no conventional square frame that requires the ground for support, Hex-Huts can be used on almost any part of a job.

Each of the six-walled (hexagonal), 44-kilogram units always has the same configuration, interior room and overhead clearance, regardless of the elevation or slope of the pipeline, steel or terrain. The shelters, which provide a comfortable environment with natural light and ventilation, are suitable for all welding processes and allow the people working inside them to manipulate their work environment to suit their needs and the requirements of the welding process.

Th e system set-up, which minimizes the need for skilled workers, has no environmental concerns and requires no reclamation, as it eliminates the one-use hoarding material used in traditional shelters.

↖give me shelter

TheHex-Hutismadefromrubberizedfire-retardantcanvasandoffersanalternativetothejury-riggedsheltersthathavetraditionallybeenusedintheweldingbusiness.

→

←↙

69tech guideHEalTH, SaFETy & EnvironMEnT

hex-hut

↑to weld and protect

TheHex-Hutislightweight,portableandeasytoerect.

→ → → ↓

←←←

Enviro Vault™ benefits include:Reduced Service CostsSuperior Environmental StewardshipImproved Operational Safety & EfficiencyImproved SecurityEasy Installation and Delivery

12345

Innovative Storage Tank DesignsInnovative Storage Tank Designs

Two workers can set up or take down a Hex-Hut unit in under 10 minutes and under ideal conditions it takes just one person to set up in the same short period of time.

Moroney built the fi rst prototype in his garage in 2001, then spent the next three years welding prototypes trying to perfect the design. Once he was sure the system worked well mechanically, he began the patent process. Th ree years ago, Hex-Hut asked Calgary-based Tan-gent Design Engineering to streamline the design for manufacturing, as well as conduct virtual testing for snow and wind loading.

Not surprisingly, Hex-Hut has caught on quickly with customers. “Th ose tents are above and beyond anything else in regards to safety,” says Dave Szatowski, operations manager and owner of Revcon Oil-fi eld Constructors Inc., a St. Albert, Alberta-headquartered company that has been using the Hex-Hut system for more than a year. “And as far as ease of use and quality, there is nothing that touches them.”

Hex-Hut Shelter Systems, which has been profi table every year since it began, rents out its 100-unit-fl eet to ensure it is maintained in top-notch shape. While the units are in use across North America, the company’s primary focus remains the Athabasca oilsands. Currently, Moroney is developing two new products to add to Hex-Hut’s oilfi eld construction equipment line.

In addition to his work at Hex-Hut, the Calgary entrepreneur does

safety consulting through his other company, C-Mark Inc., helping corporations and individuals better understand the value of work-place safety.

While safety has been a priority throughout Moroney’s entire career, it has become an even more urgent concern since the death of his eldest son Jason in late 2007. A pipefi tter with 10 years experience, Jason, 28, was killed instantly while on the job at a major heavy oil construction project in northeastern Alberta. Moroney now gives keynote presentations and seminars aimed at raising awareness of how companies can improve their safety programs and move closer to a zero-injury workplace.

Looking forward, the Hex-Hut inventor would like to see his shelter system out in the fi eld in every oilsands development, pipeline and facility project in Western Canada.

“I believe the heavy oil thermal industries, especially SAGD [steam-assisted gravity drainage] and in-situ, will make a major contribution to the Alberta and Canadian economies in the coming decades,” Moroney says. “My hope is that Hex-Hut will be there to help out.” ■

Contact for more informationMark Moroney, Hex-Hut Shelter Systems, Tel: (403) 293-7333 ext 223, Email: mark@hex-hut.com

70 tech guidedirEcToryhealth, Safety & environment

A.F.M. Resources Ltd.R.R. 2, Okotoks AB T1S 1A2403-938-2158

Abandonrite2800, 500 - 4 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 2V6403-263-6777www.nabors.com

Accurata Inc.120 MacEwan Park Rise N.W.Calgary AB T3K 4A1403-295-1637

Altus Geomatics17327 - 106A Ave.Edmonton AB T5S 1M7780-481-3399www.altusgeomatics.com

Altus Group Limited, Environmental & Forestry17327 - 106A Ave.Edmonton AB T5S 1M7780-489-7883www.altusgroup.com

AMEC Earth & Environmental140 Quarry Park Blvd. S.E.Calgary AB T2C 3G3403-248-4331www.amec.com

Ark Envirotech Inc.102, 1439 - 17 Ave. S.E.Calgary AB T2G 1J9403-355-3655www.arkenvirotech.ca

Banner Consulting Services, Inc.269 Valley Springs Terrace NWCalgary AB T3B 5P8403-510-5351

Bennett Jones LLP4500, 855 - 2 St. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 4K7403-298-3100www.bennettjones.com

Black Gold® Projects - Inspection3809 South Island Hwy.Campbell River BC V9H 1M4403-262-4653www.black-gold.ca

Boundary Technical Group Inc.8, 421 East Lake Road N.E.Airdrie AB T4A 2J7403-948-2198www.btgi.ca

Calvin Consulting Group Ltd.1A, 3850 - 19 St. N.E.Calgary AB T2E 6V2403-547-7557www.calvinconsulting.ca

CEDA-REACTOR LTD.500, 11012 Macleod Tr. SouthCalgary AB T2J 6A5403-253-3233www.cedagroup.com

Clear Environmental Solutions440, 840 - 6 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 3E5403-263-5953www.clearenv.com

DANA Technical Services Ltd.208, 3016 - 19 St. N.E.Calgary AB T2E 6Y9403-571-0390www.danats.com

Diagnostic Engineering Inc.111, 616 - 71 Ave. S.E.Calgary AB T2H 2R1403-253-4856www.diagnosticgroup.ca

Energy Insurance Group1500, 727 - 7 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 0Z5403-261-6061www.cpix.com

Enviro-Guard Reclamation Inc.252 Sienna Hills Dr. S.W.Calgary AB T3H 2Y8403-540-9312

Envirosoft Corporation10-B, 1235 - 64 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2H 2J7403-225-8760www.envirosoft.ca

Enviro Vault105, 7370 Sierra Morena Blvd. S.W.Calgary AB T3H 4H9403-263-4433www.envirovault.com

Epic Environmental Technologies Inc.48 Carlton St., Box 700Redvers SK S0C 2H0306-452-3200www.epicenvirotech.com

FDI Acoustics Inc.250, 600 Crowfoot Cres. N.W.Calgary AB T3B 0B4403-547-9511www.fdiacoustics.com

Frac Rite Environmental Ltd.2, 4416 - 5 St. N.E.Calgary AB T2E 7C3403-265-5533www.fracrite.ca

Geo Webworks Inc.2020, 801 - 6 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 3W2403-301-4001www.geowebworks.com

Geophysics GPR International Inc.100, 2545 rue de LorimierLongueuil QC J4K 3P7450-679-2400www.geophysicsgpr.com

Ghostpine Environmental Services Ltd.111, 10699 - 46 St. S.E.Calgary AB T2C 5C2403-291-9238www.ghostpine.com

Golder Associates Ltd.2535 - 3 Ave. S.E.Calgary AB T2A 7W5403-299-5600www.golder.com

Hex-Hut Shelter Systems120, 2719 - 7 Ave. N.E.Calgary AB T2A 2L9403-293-7333www.hex-hut.com

HFP Acoustical Consultants Corp.1140, 10201 Southport Rd. S.W.Calgary AB T2W 4X9403-259-6600www.hfpacoustical.com

health, safety & environment directory

71tech guidedirEcTory

health, Safety & environment

HMA Land Services Ltd.100, 7710 - 5 St. S.E.Calgary AB T2H 2L9403-692-0850www.hmaland.com

Hunter and Associates/GISUnit 18, 2285 Dunwin Dr.Mississauga ON L5L 3S3905-607-4120www.hunter-gis.com

Hydrogeological Consultants Ltd.17740 - 118 Ave. N.W.Edmonton AB T5S 2W3780-483-7240www.hcl.ca

HydroQual Laboratories Ltd.4, 6125 - 12 St. S.E.Calgary AB T2H 2K1403-253-7121

Integrity Land Inc.9940 - 99 Ave.Fort Saskatchewan AB T8L 4G8780-992-1500www.integrityland.com

Intrinsik Environmental Sciences Inc.1060, 736 - 8 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 1H4403-237-0275www.intrinsikscience.com

J.K. Engineering Ltd.320, 7930 Bowness Rd. N.W.Calgary AB T3B 0H3403-247-1777www.jkeng.ca

Kaizen Environmental Services Inc.333 - 50 Ave. S.E.Calgary AB T2G 2B3403-297-0411www.kaizenenviro.com

Kanuka Thuringer LLP1400, 2500 Victoria Ave.Regina SK S4P 3X2306-525-7200www.kanukathuringer.com

KCM Engineering Ltd.84 Oakmount Way S.W.Calgary AB T2V 4Y1403-807-6576

Keneco Environmental Services (2000) Inc.3 Fl., 3333 - 8 St. S.E.Calgary AB T2G 3A4403-237-8137www.kenecoenviro.com

Levelton Consultants Ltd.500, 1110 Centre St. N.E.Calgary AB T2E 2R2403-269-4141www.levelton.com

Lorrnel Consultants400 - 6 St. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 1X2403-233-0900www.lorrnel.com

Marquis Alliance Energy Group Inc.1800, 800 - 6 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 3G3403-264-1588www.marquisalliance.com

McNally Land Services Ltd.215, 5718 - 1A St. S.W.Calgary AB T2H 0E8403-503-5263

Milepost ManufacturingR.R. 2 St. Albert AB T8N 1M9780-459-1030www.milepostmfg.com

Millennium EMS Solutions Ltd.208, 4207 - 98 St.Edmonton AB T6E 5R7780-496-9048www.mems.ca

Naft Canada Resources Ltd.251158 Welland WayCalgary AB T3R 1L3403-239-3003

New Paradigm Engineering Ltd.10444 - 20 Ave. N.W.Edmonton AB T6J 5A2780-448-9195www.newparadigm.ab.ca

Nichols Environmental (Canada) Ltd.17331 - 107 Ave. N.W.Edmonton AB T5S 1E5780-484-3377www.nicholsenvironmental.com

Nor-Alta Environmental Services Ltd.157, 9768 - 170 St.Edmonton AB T5T 5L4780-486-4931www.nor-alta.com

Normcan2400, 530 - 8 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 3S8403-233-7565www.normcan.com

Outcrop Communications Ltd.800, 4920 - 52 St.Yellowknife NT X1A 3T1867-766-6700www.outcrop.com

Panther Environmental Inc.Box 7793, Bonnyville AB T9N 2J1780-812-2702

PFL Inc. Offshore & Arctic Technology3387 Oakwood Dr. S.W.Calgary AB T2V 4V6403-265-3212

Pratum Resource Consulting Ltd.2320 - 41 Ave. N.E.Calgary AB T2E 6W8403-717-0493www.pratum.com

Remedx Remediation Services Inc.305, 1550 - 5 St. S.W.Calgary AB T2R 1K3403-209-0004www.remedx.net

Roy Northern Environmental Ltd.Box 847 Fairview AB T0H 1L0780-835-2682www.roynorthern.com

Scace Environmental Advisors Inc.2416 Sandhurst Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T3C 2M6403-246-8303

Seaway Energy Services Inc.810, 808 - 4 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 3E8403-235-4486www.seawayenergy.com

Seguin Construction (1979) Ltd.913 - 8 St. N.W., Bag 10Slave Lake AB T0G 2A0780-849-3091

Skypics10420 Maplemont Rd. S.E.Calgary AB T2J 1W4403-271-5094www.skypics.ca

SLR Consulting200, 1620 West 8 Ave.Vancouver BC V6J 1V4604-738-2500www.slrconsulting.com

Tansley Associates Environmental SciencesBay 3, 1470 - 28 St. N.E.Calgary AB T2A 7W6403-569-8566www.tansleyaes.com

TERA Environmental Consultants1100, 815 - 8 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 3P2403-265-2885www.teraenv.com

Trek Construction & Environmental Services Ltd.63A Skyline Cres. N.E.Calgary AB T2Y 2K4403-274-1000www.gettrekin.com

Visible Data Inc.1100, 640 - 8 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 1G7403-244-1288www.visibledata.com

Waterworks Technologies Inc.2024 - 12 Ave. N.W.Calgary AB T2N 1J7403-289-3198www.waterworks.ca

Whitland Consulting Inc.2320 McIntyre St.Regina SK S4P 2S2306-757-8511

WorleyParsons - Infrastructure & Environment100, 4500 - 16 Ave. N.W.Calgary AB T3B 0M6403-247-0200www.worleyparsons.com

Wotherspoon Environmental Inc.104, 429 - 14 St. N.W.Calgary AB T2N 2A3403-269-4351www.wenv.com

rESEarcH

73tech guiderESEarcH

Saskatchewan research Council

it WOuld seem OBviOus: If a waterflood can recover more oil than primary production, then you should start the waterflood as soon as possible, right? And shouldn’t every barrel of fluids produced from the reservoir be replaced by the same volume of injected water to maintain pressure?

In conventional light oil waterflooding, the answer in both cases is yes. But what about heavy oil? Some heavy oil waterfloods recover as much as 700% of the primary recovery while others have to be abandoned.

Finding out why is more than an academic exercise. Alberta and Saskatchewan have a combined total of more than 32 billion barrels of heavy oil in place. About 24% of this huge prize is under waterflood, and the secondary recovery for heavy oil waterfloods in Western Canada ranges from one per cent to 21% of the original oil in place, according to the Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC).

About five years ago the SRC began compiling data on waterfloods in heavy and medium-gravity oil pools in Alberta and Saskatchewan. Some of the waterfloods date back more than half a century. The project has looked at 120 reservoir and operating parameters for 80 heavy oil waterfloods and another 100 in medium-gravity oil — all in Alberta and Saskatchewan.

In creating the database the SRC wanted to find out whether the principles governing conventional waterfloods also apply to heavy oil, and to identify the factors that produce a successful heavy oil waterflood.

“What’s been learned is that the heavy oil waterfloods truly are different from the conventional oil waterfloods,” says Gay Renouf, the scientist in charge of the SRC’s heavy oil waterflood database project. “Conventionally you’d think that permeability and heterogeneity are the most important things. This was true for the medium oil waterfloods, but not for the heavy oil waterfloods. And we found — for both medium and heavy oil waterfloods — operating factors (such as water throughput rate and pressure maintenance) are more important than the reservoir properties.”

Meanwhile, BP plc — eager to optimize waterflooding strategies for its Alaskan heavy and medium-gravity oil pools — extensively analyzed the SRC’s large database to get an idea of what worked best in Western Canada. The results are published in a paper co-authored by Renouf and Bradley Brice of BP Alaska.

In conventional light oil waterflooding, two of the key recom-mended practices are to start waterflooding early and to maintain a voidage replacement ratio of one. Brice’s number crunching chal-lenged both assumptions. The BP-SRC study found it was beneficial to delay the start of waterflooding until a specific fraction of the original oil in place was recovered, Brice and Renouf wrote in their Society of Petroleum Engineers/Petroleum Society/Canadian Heavy Oil Associa-

geritol For aging waterfloodsAnALyZinG hALf CenTury Of weSTern CAnADiAn heAvy OiL wATerfLOODS yieLDS SurpriSeSBy Pat Roche

74 tech guiderESEarcHSaskatchewan research Council

tion paper published in 2008.Although the results varied with factors such as API gravity, the

study found the ultimate recovery on some waterfloods improved if there was some primary production (1.5% of the original oil in place, or more, depending on the API) before starting the waterflood.

Secondly, varying the voidage replacement ratio also correlated with increased ultimate recovery. This goes against the conventional practice of replacing every barrel of produced fluids with one barrel of water.

“In so many of the waterflood applications, the government response is you must maintain your voidage replacement ratio at one. And then Bradley’s number crunching actually showed that is not the best way of operating some of the waterfloods,” says Renouf.

Although the paper said a cumulative voidage replacement ratio of one should still be maintained, it recommended this be achieved through periods of under-injection and periods of over-injection.

Renouf has since focused on the different stages in the lifespan of a waterflood, and how operating strategies should change with each stage.

The conventional wisdom is to keep the water/oil ratio as low as possible. But in studying Alberta and Saskatchewan heavy (less than 20 degrees API gravity) and medium-gravity (20-30 API) waterfloods, Renouf found some heavy oil waterfloods with extremely high water cuts were hugely successful.

(The SRC research focuses on oil recovery, not water recycling economics. High water-disposal costs can make projects uneconomic, though there are successful projects with water cuts exceeding 99%.)

Finally, the mechanism at work in heavy oil waterfloods is different from conventional waterfloods. In light oil waterfloods — where the oil and water have similar mobility — the injected water pushes the oil out of the pores.

But in the case of heavy or medium-gravity crude, the water’s abil-ity to push the oil is hindered by viscous fingering. Because the oil is thicker, the injected water tends to channel around it.

But while water isn’t very good at pushing heavy oil, another mechanism may be at work. According to a theory advanced in the 1980s and recently modified by Steven Vittoratos of BP Alaska, the injected water entrains clumps of oil and emulsions, pulling them along. Renouf believes this process — dubbed water dragging — is the active mechanism in heavy oil waterfloods. So the more water circulated, the greater the oil recovery.

Unlike light oil waterflooding, pressure maintenance isn’t the main driver. “Pressure maintenance is important, but it’s not nearly as important as putting a lot of water through,” Renouf says. ■

Contact for more informationGay Renouf, Saskatchewan Research Council, Tel: (306) 787-9389, Email: renouf@src.sk.ca

uncertaintY can keep geologists up at night as they try to decide which part of an untapped basin will yield optimal results.

Where should a well be drilled in a new play? Which part of the basin will provide the best production rates and what recovery pro-cess should be used? Seismic information and geological understand-ing help guide the companies away from this uncertainty. But more can be done to mitigate risk and measure uncertainty.

Geostatistical modelling — an evolving discipline that uses math-ematics, probability, computing science and numerical analysis to help analyze reservoirs — has grown over the past few decades from a curious novelty to a more accepted practice. Clayton Deutsch, a pro-fessor with the University of Alberta and a geostatistics expert who has authored books and papers on the subject, says the main focus of geostatistics is constructing high-resolution, three-dimensional mod-els of categorical variables, such as facies and continuous variables like porosity and permeability.

There are three specific cases where geostatistics can provide valu-able support for decision-making: calculating maps of uncertainty over large areas to support resource calculations and well placement; reconciling well and seismic data into high-resolution reservoir

Mapping uncertainty

uSinG GeOSTATiSTiCS TO AnALyZe reServOirS

By Richard Macedo

↙waterflood surprises

GayRenoufreachedsomeunexpectedconclusionsrecentlyafteradetailedanalysisofdozensofheavyoilwaterfloodsinSaskatchewanandAlberta.

75tech guiderESEarcH

university of Alberta

models; and constructing representative models of heterogeneity to provide input to flow simulation and support reservoir forecasting.

“Geostatistics provides those numerical models of what the res-ervoir could look like,” he says. “The two goals of geostatistics are to quantify heterogeneity and create plausible models, and the second being to provide a measure of uncertainty.”

The computer-based geological models are then scaled to an even coarser resolution for resource calculation or flow simulation. A common goal of geostatistics is the creation of detailed numerical 3D geologic models that simultaneously account for a wide range of relevant data of varying degrees of resolution, quality and certainty.

“Numerical tools are used to create numerical models that mimic the patterns of variability that we believe exist in the reservoir,” Deutsch says in one of his papers. He notes in an interview that geo-statistics has always sold itself as data integration.

“We try to integrate all the data,” he explains, which includes the geophysical, petrophysical, well data and geological understand-ing. The numerical information is punched into software that will take that data, calculate summary stats, measure patterns and then create models.

“Most of it is done on the computer,” he says. “Some people will use fairly sophisticated visualization tools.

“People that do geostatistics typically have a combination of backgrounds,” Deutsch adds. “They’re either engineers with a lot of geological training or geologists with a lot of numerical model computer training.”

Looking over the past 20 years, Deutsch says geostatistics is being used with more frequency. Decades ago, it was treated as an oddity, although it’s becoming a standard practice with many of the world’s major oil and gas companies.

“If they don’t have a geostatistical model and a quantification of uncertainty, a project will not be approved,” he says. “Some smaller companies are doing things on maps, so it’s not used across the board, but it’s used a lot.

“To some extent it’s a corporate culture thing. Bigger companies tend to use it more.”

Where it’s most effective is filling in the gaps in an “unsampled” region.“You get a lot of information from seismic but it doesn’t resolve

heterogeneity down to the decimetre level,” Deutsch says. “Seismic

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[also] is not a camera; it doesn’t tell you exactly what’s there. It gives you acoustic properties that are important.”

Well data provides precise information, but wells are so far apart that the geological variation over hundreds of metres can be huge.

“That heterogeneity is partially measured by wells and seismic and well testing and so forth,” he says. “But there’s a lot of uncertainty and variability between the wells because it just hasn’t been measured completely.”

But geostatistics should not be considered when there’s too little time and expertise to effectively apply the techniques and validate the resulting models, Deutsch cautions. Geostatistical techniques are time consuming and finicky to apply and it takes time to establish a reservoir-specific workflow, choose reasonable modelling parameters, conduct reasonable sensitivity studies, verify the results and apply the models.

“It is to some extent still an emerging technology,” he says. “It prob-ably is not used to the level it could be. Then again, I think the slow staged implementation is the right thing. It would be wrong to jump on a bandwagon and start applying it before you built the expertise inside an organization.

“The adoption of it is as fast as is practical.”Geostatistics can be used to help reduce uncertainty for either oil

or natural gas reservoirs, although Deutsch says for gas, the heteroge-neity isn’t as important because it will flow through a wider range of permeable rocks.

“It is important for the size of the gas reservoir and thinking about water influx and pressure support,” he notes.

Deutsch says there are several schools of thought on the effective-ness of geostatistics. There are champions who believe the application of

geostatistics adds value in almost any reservoir modelling. Skeptics don’t think a geostatistical model will have a meaningful impact on reservoir management decisions. But he adds that a major-ity of engineers and geoscientists are seeing an increasing use of geostatistics, though they are not sure when it should be used and how the results affect reservoir decisions. ■

Contact for more informationClayton Deutsch, University of Alberta, Tel: (780) 492-9916, Email: cdeutsch@ualberta.ca

↓model behaviour

Left:Flow-basedtetrahedralgridgenerationbasedonsaturationfronttrackingfromaninjector(blue

arrow)toaproducer(redarrow).Elementsareshadedbyvolume.Right:Regionswherehighfluid

velocityisexpectedinasinglewellpairwater-injec-tionscenario.Theunderlyinggridistetrahedral.

↖reducing risks

Left:Watersaturationprofileonagridcharac-terizedbypermeabilityupscaledfromlayer77oftheSPE10dataset.Centre:Watersatura-tionprofileonatriangu-largridcharacterizedbypermeabilityfromlayer77oftheSPE10dataset.Right:Coarseunstructuredgridgen-eratedbasedonlayer77oftheSPE10perme-abilityfield,whichhasbeenre-sampledtoafinetriangulargrid.

76 tech guidedirEcToryresearch

Alberta Geological Survey402, 4999 - 98 Ave.Edmonton AB T6B 2X3780-422-1927www.ags.gov.ab.ca

Alberta Innovates-Technology Futures250 Karl Clark Rd.Edmonton AB T6N 1E4780-450-5111www.arc.ab.ca

Alberta Sulphur Research Ltd.6, 3535 Research Rd. N.W.Calgary AB T2L 2K8403-220-5346www.chem.ucalgary.ca/asr

The Arctic Institute of North America2500 University Dr. N.W.Calgary AB T2N 1N4403-220-7515www.arctic.ucalgary.ca

Canada School of Energy and Environment EDT 434, 2500 University Drive N.W.Calgary AB T2N 1N4403-210-6891www.canadaschoolofenergy.com

Canadian Energy Research Institute150, 3512 - 33 St. N.W.Calgary AB T2L 2A6403-282-1231www.ceri.ca

Canadian Heavy Oil Association400, 500 - 5 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 3L5403-453-0178www.choa.ab.ca

Canadian Society for Unconventional Gas420, 237 - 8 Ave. S.E.Calgary AB T2G 5C3403-233-9298www.csug.ca

Canadian Society of Exploration Geophysicists600, 640 - 8 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 1G7403-262-0015www.cseg.ca

C-FER Technologies200 Karl Clark Rd.Edmonton AB T6N 1H2780-450-3300www.cfertech.com

CREWES – Consortium for Re-search in Elastic Wave Exploration SeismologyDepartment of GeoscienceUniversity of CalgaryCalgary AB T2N 1N4403-220-8863www.crewes.org

Geological Survey of Canada (Calgary)3303 - 33 St. N.W.Calgary AB T2L 2A7403-292-7000www.nrcan.gc.ca

Institute for Sustainable Energy, Environment and Economy (ISEEE)Earth Sciences Building, Room 1040University of Calgary2500 University Drive N.W.Calgary AB T2N 1N4403-220-6100www.iseee.ca

National Research Council - Institute for Ocean TechnologyBox 12093 St. John's NL A1B 3T5709-772-2479www.http://iot-ito.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca

Petroleum Technology Alliance Canada400, 500 - 5 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 3L5403-218-7700www.ptac.org

Petroleum Technology Research Centre6 Research DriveRegina SK S4S 7J7306-787-7497www.ptrc.ca

Saskatchewan Research Council125 - 15 Innovation Blvd.Saskatoon SK S7N 2X8306-933-5400www.src.sk.ca

Society of Petroleum Engineers425, 500 - 5 Ave. S.W.Calgary AB T2P 3L5403-237-5112www.spe.org/Canada

University of AlbertaEdmonton AB T6G 2R3780-492-3111www.ualberta.ca

University of Calgary2500 University Dr. N.W.Calgary AB T2N 1N4www.ucalgary.ca

research directory

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