Photoacoustic Nanotracers for Subsurface Applications: Opportunities and Challenges

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jesus Manuel Felix Servin ◽  
Hala A. Al-Sadeg ◽  
Amr Abdel-Fattah

Abstract Tracers are practical tools to gather information about the subsurface fluid flow in hydrocarbon reservoirs. Typical interwell tracer tests involve injecting and producing tracers from multiple wells to evaluate important parameters such as connectivity, flow paths, fluid-fluid and fluid-rock interactions, and reservoir heterogeneity, among others. The upcoming of nanotechnology enables the development of novel nanoparticle-based tracers to overcome many of the challenges faced by conventional tracers. Among the advantages of nanoparticle-based tracers is the capability to functionalize their surface to yield stability and transportability through the subsurface. In addition, nanoparticles can be engineered to respond to a wide variety of stimuli, including light. The photoacoustic effect is the formation of sound waves following light absorption in a material sample. The medical community has successfully employed photoacoustic nanotracers as contrast agents for photoacoustic tomography imaging. We propose that properly engineered photoacoustic nanoparticles can be used as tracers in oil reservoirs. Our analysis begins by investigating the parameters controlling the conversion of light to acoustic waves, and strategies to optimize such parameters. Next, we analyze different kind of nanoparticles that we deem potential candidates for our subsurface operations. Then, we briefly discuss the excitation sources and make a comparison between continuous wave and pulsed sources. We finish by discussing the research gaps and challenges that must be addressed to incorporate these agents into our operations. At the time of this writing, no other study investigating the feasibility of using photoacoustic nanoparticles for tracer applications was found. Our work paves the way for a new class of passive tracers for oil reservoirs. Photoacoustic nanotracers are easy to detect and quantify and are therefore suitable for continuous in-line monitoring, contributing to the ongoing real-time data efforts in the oil and gas industry.

Author(s):  
Joseph Hlady ◽  
Somen Mondal

The use of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) has grown substantially in the past few years. Driven mostly by the retail supply chain management industry and by inventory control (loss prevention), RFID technology is finding more acceptance in the security and personal tracking sectors beyond simple pass cards. This growth has of course resulted in greater acceptance of RFID technology and more standardization of process and systems as well as decreased per unit costs. The oil and gas industry is being exposed to the potential use of RFID technology, mostly through the safety and equipment inspection portion of construction management. However, the application of RFID technology is expected to expand to the material tracking and asset management realms in the near future. Integrating the information provided by RFIDs with EPCM project and owner/operator Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a logical next step towards maximizing the value of RFID technology. By linking assets tracked in the field during movement, lay-down and construction to a GIS, projects will have accurate, real-time data on the location of materials as well as be able to query about those assets after commissioning. This same capability is being modified for post-commission use of RFID with facility GISs. This paper outlines how existing GISs used during the EPCM phases and those employed after commissioning can display, utilize and analyze information provided by RFID technology.


2020 ◽  
pp. 57-68
Author(s):  
М.М. Manukyan

The article is devoted to the study of various areas for the improvement of ultraviscous oil technologies in the Samara region. Promising technologies, as well as technologies that have already been applied in the oil and gas industry of the Samara region were considered. New technologies in the oil and gas industry in the region were identified. The analysis of methods used for the development of heavy crude oil in a sessile plate - the thermal production method (THDP or SAGD), as well as the method of dynamic stimulation of the formation with wave energy - was carried out.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 2582-2586

Automation and control systems are necessary throughout oil & gas industries, to production and processing plants, and distribution and retailing of petroleum products. Pipelines are the efficient mode of transportations of fuels for processing plants over long distances. At present Automation is achieved by using PLC’s that are communicated through SCADA. But it is complex and remote operation is not possible. With the introduction of IoT, the pipeline leak detection system is improved through real-time monitoring of the pipelines. Our Proposed system is designed to detect even small leakage that occurs within the pipeline. The implementation of IoT in oil and gas industries prevents accidents and to make quick decisions based on real-time data


Author(s):  
H. G. D. Goyder

Corrugated pipes are used in the oil and gas industry because they are flexible. Such pipes may generate large levels of noise when carrying a gas flow. The noise source is due to the cavities in the corrugations in which vortices form and interact with acoustic waves. The resulting flow-acoustic interaction may result in noise levels sufficient to cause structural vibration which may lead to pipework failure due to fatigue. The interaction between the vortex shedding and the acoustic wave is that of a self-sustained oscillation. The objective of the paper is to attempt to produce an analytical model of these oscillations starting from first principles. Although the model does require some experimental input much information is obtained concerning the details of the mechanism and factors controlling how it scales with the geometry, flow velocity and other relevant parameters. The model requires three constants to complete its formulation. These three constants describe the source strength at low acoustic amplitudes, the nonlinearity as the amplitude is increased and a delay term that relates the vortex shedding to the local acoustic velocity. It emerges that the nonlinear parameter is the most important for determining the maximum acoustic amplitude.


2021 ◽  
Vol 73 (05) ◽  
pp. 56-57
Author(s):  
Judy Feder

This article, written by JPT Technology Editor Judy Feder, contains highlights of paper SPE 203461, “Digitalization in the Oil and Gas Industry—A Case Study of a Fully Smart Field in the United Arab Emirates,” by Muhammad Arif and Abdulla Mohammed Al Senani, ADNOC, prepared for the 2020 Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference, Abu Dhabi, held virtually from 9–12 November. The paper has not been peer reviewed. One of the first oil fields in the UAE to be fully operated remotely is in the southeast region, 250 km from Abu Dhabi. The complete paper discusses the development and commissioning of the field, which is the first smart field for ADNOC Onshore. The designed and applied technology facilitated unmanned operation of the field from downhole to export. Introduction Oilfield digitalization encompasses gathering real-time and non-real-time data from wells, flow lines, manifolds, stations, and water injection facilities; analysis of the data using algorithms, flowcharts, plots, and reports; and user access to this data on user-friendly screens. This allows engineers to focus on interpretation of data vs. searching, organizing, and formatting the data. In the bigger picture, the data collected will lead to conclusions and set bases for important decisions for similar projects in the future, enabling a lesson-learning approach to design new oil fields. The accumulated theoretical and practical research results of smart-field implementation require analysis and synthesis to maintain perspective of the entire project. Both were applied in the Mender field, which is the subject of the complete paper. Problem Statement The Mender parent field has been producing since 2013 with minimal digitalization for wellheads. Wells are not fit-ted with remote sensors, and operators have been visiting the wells to collect data using analog gauges. Collected data are stored in computers or as hard copies. Some critical data is lost, which affects decision-making. The new Mender field is 50 km from the parent field and is in a sensitive area close to international borders. The field area is a wildlife reserve for various endangered animals. The nature of operations is highly critical because of concentrations of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) that could jeopardize employees’ health and safety.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Alousif ◽  
Saad Alali

Abstract Ultrasound is a versatile advanced technology that is utilized in the oil and gas industry for various mechanical and electrical applications such as bearing's faults detection, pump's cavitation, valve's leakage, steam traps, electrical faults, gearbox's issues, compressed air and gas leak's detection..etc. The technology allows the end-user to measure dynamic data using contact (Structure borne) and non-contact (air borne) sensors and converts the ultrasound waves to an audible range for humans to associate sounds with the measured signal. As a result, the sound of the machine can be heard and recorded as voice clip as well as time wave form, which in turn can be translated into frequency spectrum for analysis. The technology has recently evolved in the industry as an important condition monitoring tool, to increase the reliability of rotating equipment. Moreover, it used as a complementary tool to vibration analysis. As well, it can be used as a tool for troubleshooting and preventive maintenance inspection. Background Ultrasound is sound waves with frequencies that are higher than the upper audible limit of human hearing. The human hearing limit varies from person to another, and it is approximated to be around 20Hz to 20 kHz. This is in contrary to the ultrasound range, which is above 20,000 Hz, and hence, it is in audible to human. This range is used widely in various industrial processes, including: cleaning, cutting, forming, testing of materials, and welding. It is characterized by its directional waves, unlike normal sound waves that travel in all directions. This directional characteristic makes ultrasound useful for many applications. Furthermore, ultrasound technology is used in different fields: medical, automotive, etc. and recently in the oil and gas industry as non-destructive-testing tool (NDT). The ultrasound technology in the oil and gas industry is used primarily in the following area's, for example Leak detection. Steam traps inspection. Bearing condition monitoring. Bearing lubrication monitoring. Electrical Inspection. Valve condition monitoring. Pump cavitation. Gearbox issues.


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