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SANDtrax Field Services
The SANDtrax instrument is a non-intrusive measurement device that records acoustical energy created when fluids and particles impinge the inside wall of the pipe. The instrument then filters the frequencies with a digital signal processor to display only the signals created by the particles in the fluid stream.
Essential for measuring mass flow and concentrations of sand concentrations in fluids, this system brings numerous benefits to the customer depending upon how the application is used. When sand production is recorded in conjunction with pressures and/or flow rates, the information is invaluable in optimizing operations and reducing costs. The patented SANDtrax sand monitoring system is ideal for well cleanout applications, underbalanced drilling, fracture treatments and flow back measurements, coiled tubing clean outs and plug drillouts, production optimization, corrosion control and pipeline pig detection.
The SANDtrax system utilizes an acoustic type sensor and can be used as a stand alone unit or in conjunction with the battery powered ILI Pressure Trax portable surface pressure recording system with onboard memory.
Underbalanced Drilling
Fluid circulation is done in a closed system where fluid and gas returns can bemeasured, but only samples of particle production can be gathered. Even sample catching is difficult as the high velocities encountered make the particle size very small.
The SANDtrax gives the operator real time information on particle production so that he can make decisions on flow rates and penetration rates to optimize the process.
The PRESSUREtrax™ can be used for recording pressures and flow rates so the complete system is monitored.
Benefits of using the PRESSUREtrax™ and SANDtrax system for underbalanced drilling include the ability to optimize fluid and gas injections real time. In most underbalanced drilling jobs the cost of gas injectio n is the highest variable to ensure cuttings returns.
The cost of nitrogen used to keep the operation in underbalanced conditions is usually in the $1.00 /m3 gas area. In a minimum case where it would be possible to optimize by 2 m3/min that would constitute $120 cost per hour. Depending on the depth to be drilled this could add up to quite a bit.
Fracture Treatments
Conventionally fracture treatments use a radioactive densitometer to measure the absolute density of a pumped slurry. In some areas the cost of managing the radioactive source makes it prohibitive.
The SANDtrax has been shown to work similar to a radioactive densitometer in pumping applications. The high resolution of the PRESSUREtrax™ is used for pressure decline analysis.
The benefits of using the PRESSUREtrax™ and SANDtrax system for Fracturing Treatments include reduced instrument costs, higher resolution data for post job analysis and no radioactive related management costs.
This is not meant to replace already installed instrumentation, but could be used where shipping of radioactive material is prohibitive, cost or other reason. This system can also be used in a quality control application to double check currently installed equipment.
Fracture Flow Backs
The flow back operation may include fluids, gases and solids, and all will vary with time. The main purpose of this operation is to recover the treatment fluids and clean the wellbore of fracture proppants prior to putting the well on production. The flow back may also be used to perform production tests on the well. Particulate production from a well bore comes in slugs, and sample catching does not properly represent this effect.
PRESSUREtrax™ and SANDtrax have been used to monitor production during flow back, giving the operator information on amounts of proppants left in the wellbore and potential problems of proppant being produced out of the fracture. This becomes especially important on wells that have been fractured with a fluid and an energizing gas (CO2 or Nitrogen). The operator wants to flow the well back as soon and as fast as possible, without pulling the sand out of the fracture.
The main benefit of using the PRESSUREtrax™ and SANDtrax system for Fracture Flow Back operations is the low cost informa tion used to optimize operations. Optimizing operations involves utilizing the maximum flow rate, without bring extra sand back from the formation. Cost savings can also be achieved by ensuring that the well is completely clean of particles, thus prevent ing return trips of flow back and coiled tubing equipment.
Coiled Tubing Clean Outs
Coiled tubing clean outs can be done after a stimulation treatment or to remove formation produced particulates. This is usually done in an underbalanced condition that makes it difficult to know exactly what is being produced.
PRESSUREtrax™ and SANDtrax monitor the production and gives the operator information required to change flow rates and penetration rates to optimize the clean out. The system also allows the operators to know when the well bore is completely clean.
The PRESSUREtrax™ and SANDtrax system helps reduce operational costs and prevent costly equipment damages when sand particles are left in the well bore. Coiled tubing clean outs utilize gases, usually nitrogen, to create an underbalanced condition that aids in the removal of particulates. Optimizing the amount of nitrogen pumped can significantly affect the cost of the operation. As well, since the current methods of particulate detection are non quantitative, most operators try to compensate by pumping more that is actually required for the clean out.
Production Optimization
Wells that produce formation particulates may not produce linearly with fluid production. PRESSUREtrax™ and SANDtrax can be used to optimize production on these wells, by monitoring pressures combined with fluid and sand rates.
The use of the PRESSUREtrax™ and SANDtrax system can optimize production and reduce maintenance costs for sand producing wells.
Click here for PRESSUREtrax™ Field Services.
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