Our eSlicklineTM cable has revolutionized how oil & gas operators plan and execute their wireline based well interventions.
History Of Wireline
Wireline logging started with Conrad Schlumberger in 1910. While teaching physics at the École des Mines in France, he began inventing the wireline platform that we are familiar with today.
In 1912, utilizing primitive equipment, he logged the first equipotential curves from Iron Mines located around Normandy.
Figure 1: Conrad Schlumberger (source: https://wiki.seg.org/wiki/Conrad_Schlumberger)
One of the earliest Schlumberger electric resistivity logs was obtained on the Diefenbach 2905 well, Rig.No. 7, at Pechelbronn, Alsace, France.
Figure 2: The first electric log for oil & gas was obtained on the Diefenbach 2905 well, Rig.No. 7, at Pechelbronn, Alsace, France. The resistivity curve was created by plotting successive readings (source: https://www.spwla.org/SPWLA/About/History/Logging_history_rich_with_innovation__Hart_s_E_P_Magazine_.aspx)
In 1923, Schlumberger electrically logged its first oil salt dome in Romania, continuing to log oil and gas wells in Serbia, Canada, Union of South Africa, Belgian Congo, and the US.
Figure 3: Early Schlumberger Wireline Logging Unit (source: https://twitter.com/Delta_Geo/status/806913646651547649?s=20)
Wireline In 2020
In 2020 well interventions using wireline-based platforms are commonplace, where cutting edge technologies deliver all types of actionable data for client workflows.
Up until recent times, there have been two cable-based deployment methods for wireline tools, Slickline and Wireline (E-Line). In a traditional sense, and by no means exhaustive in definition, Wireline is used for “electronic” based services, while Slickline is used for “mechanical” based ones. With the development of memory-based tools, it is important to recognize that crossover capabilities do exist between the deployment platforms.
Slickline Or Wireline (E-Line)?
For oil & gas operators the conundrum exists around platform choice, and what they can live with in terms of capabilities and opportunity cost.
Wireline has the apparent benefit of being able to acquire real-time well logs, leading to immediately actionable information. The downside is generally associated with its limited mechanical capability, the comparatively large equipment spread, and increased operational costs.
Typically, Slickline has smaller equipment spreads, lower operational costs, yet experiences limitations around the access to real-time data.
In reality, the choice for operators is often predetermined, whereby the scope of work requires two spreads for both mechanical (Slickline) and real-time logging (Wireline) capabilities.
That’s where our innovative 4mm eSlicklineTM comes in. The mobilization of an eSlicklineTM intervention package enables light mechanical Slickline work, and real-time wireline logging with a traditional Slickline equipment spread.
Figure 4: GEO PSI 4mm eSlicklineTM Cable
The recent development of new cable manufacturing techniques has delivered hybrid type wireline cables. The industry uses branding nomenclature such as eSlicklineTM, Digital Slickline, and Slick E-Line to describe these new hybrid cable wireline platforms. These hybrid platforms are enablers for traditional light mechanical Slickline interventions and real-time electronic-based services.
eSlicklineTM Platform Comparison
Intervention Needed
Slickline
Wireline (E-Line)
eSlicklineTM
Dual Capability
Small Footprint
Personnel Reduction
Memory Logging
Real-Time Logging
Real-Time Depth Control
Why eSlicklineTM?
At GEO PSI we are a leader in manufacturing downhole monitoring solutions, including the industry’s best downhole monitoring cables.
We were the first company in the world to think outside the traditional cable formats and move toward 4mm, which forms the basis for our eSlicklineTM platform.
Our successful partnership with Accu-Line Wireline Services has been focused on successfully introducing and developing eSlicklineTM capabilities to the oil and gas market. The interventions with Accu-Line occurred Offshore Gulf of Mexico, with more than 500 successful eSlicklineTM runs completed to date.
The types of interventions outlined in the table below illustrate the achievable application envelope for the platform.
eSlicklineTM Operations Capability
Mechanical Slickline
eSlicklineTM Explosive
eSlicklineTM Non-Explosive
Pack Off Pulling & Setting
Perforating
Correlation Logs
Plug (DX DS CS) Pulling & Setting
Cement Dump Runs
Pressure & Temperature Surveys
Dummy Drift Runs
Bridge Plugs (MRBP)
Production Logging
Memory Gauges
Straddle Packers
Acoustic Imaging Surveys
Paraffin Clean Outs
Jet Cuts
Multi-Finger Caliper Logs
GLV Change Outs
Tubing Punch
Downhole Video Surveys
Other Light Slickline Interventions
Other Light Slickline Explosive Interventions
Other Light Slickline Non-Explosive Interventions
Unique eSlicklineTM Capabilities
Our eSlicklineTM cable has some unique capabilities that don’t exist with other digital slickline cables.
Firstly, our eSlicklineTM cable utilities a metal armor, compared to other cables that use coated conductors. This metal armor delivers maximum durability and allows operations in high pressure and temperature wells.
Another benefit of our eSlicklineTM cable is that it is a traditional style cable where the conductor and cable armor form the pathway for power and communications. This conventional route is beneficial because it removes the requirement for battery-powered specialty tools. It can utilize 3rd party logging tools from BHGE (Sondex), Probe, Spartek, EVCam, and many others. This open platform architecture gives both operators and service company’s significant levels of operational flexibility.
Lastly, because this open architecture exists, 3rd party data acquisition systems like Warrior from Scientific Data Systems are easily deployed.
Conclusion
To conclude, not every operational situation will fit the eSlicklineTM profile. Where the platform does fit, it means that the equipment and personnel footprint be decreased, and costs optimized.
The eSlicklineTM platform has been thoroughly tested and proven in extremely challenging wells, including high profile interventions offshore in the Gulf of Mexico. Combining Slickline and Wireline capabilities into an eSlicklineTM intervention platform has some obvious benefits, especially when integrated with 3rd party tools.
Consider whether eSlickline is right for your next intervention, and where it can increase safety, decrease the operational risk profile, and optimize cost.
Please reach out if you are interested in hearing more about this exciting platform.
This Post Has One Comment
We’ll like to go into technical partnership with your Company, to enable the delivery of your range of services to clients in the Gulf of Guinea. Please respond with information on how this can be actualized.
Thanks, Syl Anyanti
Prophase Energy Services Ltd