A look at how our approach of becoming a technology partner differs from product vendors or service providers.
Here at GEO PSI we strive to develop fit-for-purpose, robust, and cost-effective downhole monitoring technologies that provide immense value to our customers.
Our Vision
“To provide digital oilfield solutions to energy producers for environmentally responsible full field development, increasing production efficiency, sustainability, and the safety of wellsite operations through integration of reliable downhole pressure and temperature data.”
It’s one thing to set this as our goal, but to act on it and implement a process of continual improvement to provide reliable fit-for-purpose solutions is no small task.
In order to drive customer value and ensure our systems are not only reliable but address the exact needs of our customers, we have taken the approach of becoming a technology partner. Rather than just simply providing equipment, we work intimately with our customers to develop innovative purpose-built solutions.
What Makes a Good Technology Partner?
To be a good technology partner, a company has to instill a work culture that puts the customer’s requirements first.
The following traits are the ones that we emphasize as we work to develop a culture that enables strong partnerships and effective technology development.
1. Communication
Like all good relationships, communication is key.
Here are a few things to look for when looking for a strong technology partner:
- Do they listen to & understand your technical, commercial, and administrative standings?
- Do they enquire about any other external factors which might affect the project from a techno-commercial viewpoint?
- Do they talk about money first or ensure technical feasibility and implementation?
- Do they understand your priorities?
- Do they seem to overcommit without gauging the depth of the situation? Or make sure they avoid biting off more than they can chew and know when to say no?
Here at GEO PSI we spend considerable time to ensure we holistically understand our client’s needs. This is the reason we have been able to successfully do business in all significant continents, with companies ranging from small local players to national oil companies.
Through the use of tools such as our exhaustive customer intake form, and extensive consultation with not just sales and engineering, but also our internal service and installation experts, we make sure we accurately assess the scope of each job and its feasibility before commencing work. This structured approach to partnerships and new projects enables us to ensure a focused and timely effort to developing solutions that not only meet the needs of our clients but also uphold our high standard of reliability.
Figure 1: GEO PSI Customer Intake Form
2. Expertise
Expertise matters. And more than just having an abundance of available knowledge, there is immense value in being able to effectively apply that knowledge.
Here are a few things in the area of expertise to look for when looking for a strong technology partner:
- Do they explain why a particular technology is best for your project? Or instead, suggest an off-the-shelf product line without a clear justification?
- When challenges arise, are they able to think outside of the box? Are they willing to develop custom solutions at the micro-level & understand that every project is unique and requires a custom approach?
- Do they have a track record of success and testimonials proving that they can be flexible & deliver custom solutions? Do they have the experience needed to take raw material to a reliable finished product?
What differentiates the right development team from just a good one? In many ways, it’s the ability to guide you all the way through a project offering regular consultation and suggestions of innovative solutions.
Expertise is the key to making sure things get done right.
The fine-looking bunch below represents just some of our in-house experts with decades of experience developing custom solutions.
Cedric Doerksen – CEO / President
Fred Zillinger – CTO
Kyle McAllister – Operations Manager
3. Knowing The Difference Between Cheap & Cost-Effective
It is critical for technology partners to understand the difference between cheap and cost-effective. On a number of occasions, we have seen clients simply opting for the lowest priced option first, only to see that system end up being more costly in the long run. This extra cost associated with maintenance, excessive downtime, or replacement often makes the lifetime cost of the ‘cheapest’ system 2-3x higher (or more) than the initial purchase price.
This by no way means that cost is always a trade-off with quality, however.
Sometimes the cheapest option ends up being costly in the long-run, but you can still achieve a high NPV (Net Present Value) with a cost-effective option. Picking a technology partner with the ability to fully understand what you need, and what you don’t, can help you achieve a reliable & value-driven solution.
One key example of a success story of our own related to this idea is the development of our innovative GEO4-20 Gauges designed to provide cost-effective results for CBM (Coalbed Methane) and PCP (Progressive Cavity Pump) applications.
Figure 2: Cost Savings vs. Smart investment Meme courtesy of: https://www.procurious.com/procurement-news/procurement-in-7-memes
4. Commitment
It is critical for your technology partner to remain committed to delivering solutions and services long-term.
A good technology partner should understand your long-term goals and priorities, develop a scalable method of KPIs, & provide comprehensive support throughout all stages of your project.
A client-oriented partner will ensure that you get the technology solution that works for your specific needs and supports not only your immediate goals but your future goals as well.
While there are countless examples of us working with clients to conceptualize, develop & implement customized solutions, we have also provided support to various clients well beyond what would be commonly expected in the industry. Below is just one example of this:
A client faced issues with their GEO PSI systems bought indirectly via a major service provider seven years ago. Despite not having any direct liability in the case, we took the initiative to deal with the customer’s issues. We sent support onsite for TapRoot analysis and found issues in SOP and flaws in previous service. We took time to educate the client and kept them in the loop with future publishment and related news. Beyond finding pride in standing behind our equipment, this particular example resulted in us winning a later contract for a new technology pilot.
Examples Of Successful Technology Partnerships
Our continual contribution as a technology partner has led to various successful R&D projects being implemented with clients around the world.
Some of our more noteworthy projects are listed below:
Success In CBM & PCP Innovations
Our GEO4-20 line of gauges was initially developed out of a client’s need for a reliable and cost-effective solution that could enable them to put a gauge in every well. After our competitor’s cheapest offerings failed, we were tasked with developing a cost-effective alternative that could maintain data integrity and overall system reliability.
Because of our in-house expertise, we were able to remove redundancy in the sensors and greatly reduce cost without sacrificing quality. Because of our deep vertical integration, we were able to source quality raw materials and apply our high QC/QA controls to deliver a long-lasting solution our clients could be confident in. Then, as a result of our in-house manufacturing, we could not only oversee every step of system assembly but could also cut out third-party markups which enabled us to deliver a product with class-leading performance and industry-leading reliability at an incredibly affordable price.
Below is a look at the client’s timeline of development 2010-2021
Step 1
As a result of large multi-national corporations only providing the most expensive top of the line solution only 1 in 15 wells are monitored due to the high cost. Because of this, the clients desired solution has not been achieved, and there are many gaps in their field data.
Step 2
The large multi-national corporations begin to supply their cheap alternatives which immediately results in high rates of costly failures.
Step 3
We here at GEO PSI take initiative to develop a fit-for-purpose downhole monitoring solution at the desired price point which can deliver quality data and reliable results. As a result, the first generation of our GEO4-20 gauges are developed.
Step 4
Our client experiences tremendous success with our gauges. Due to established presence and continual success of our gauges they are implemented at a mass scale. Within the decade over 9,500 gauge systems are installed.
Figure 3: Current generation of GEO4-20 Downhole Gauge
Advanced PCP Health Monitoring
Our GEOPCP 150 Gauge was initially developed out of a client’s need to address their problem of frequent PCP breakdowns. As a result of these failures they experienced a high number of unplanned workovers which was resulting in deferred/lost production and excessive downtime.
As a result of our expertise and experience with innovative R&D projects we built off our existing downhole monitoring systems to develop a fit for purpose solution designed specifically for Progressive Cavity Pumps. By building off our existing downhole monitoring technology we were able to maintain our industry-leading reliability, while adding functionality which would enable operators to have optics on their pump well beyond the traditional pressure and temperature parameters.
When combined with optional surface equipment our GEOPCP 150 gauge would enable a monitoring system capable of capturing 12 points of measurement.
- Pump Intake Pressure
- Pump Intake Temperature
- Pump Discharge Pressure
- Pump Discharge Temperature
- x Vibration
- Z Vibration
- Downhole Rod Speed
- Optional Surface Rod Speed
- Rotor Stick & Slip
- Rotor Positioning
- Optional Surface Casing Pressure
- Accumulated Pump Rotation Count
These improved optics enabled our clients to better optimize PCP operation and more accurately predict system failure. This allowed them to reduce downtime and increase the overall profitability of their applications.
Figure 4: Current generation of GEOPCP 150 Downhole Gauge
Reliable High-Temperature Monitoring
Our groundbreaking line of GEOTRU Gauges were initially developed in conjunction with clients who needed reliable and accurate downhole monitoring for extremely abrasive high-temp environments. While the need for high-temp monitoring was not new, a creative approach was taken to develop a system with higher accuracy and reliability than any of the other substitutes on the market.
Again, with an emphasis on reliability, our talented engineering group was able to develop a downhole monitoring platform that built off our proven sensor technology yet incorporated some truly groundbreaking innovations. By removing all downhole electronics our team was able to provide our client with a system that could not only deliver high-temp performance in excess of 300°C but also maximized reliability and data quality.
With no electronics downhole there were many benefits beyond their desire for a high-temp solution. Now all troubleshooting and repairs could be performed on surface with zero downtime and no need for a pull and re-run. Through understanding our client’s needs, and the industry experience and foresight to see other potential opportunities to improve performance, we were able to develop a solution that could truly maximize client value.
Figure 5: GEOTRU 300 Downhole Gauge
Next-Gen Wireless Monitoring
Our new line of Wireless GEOEM Gauges were created out of a client’s desire to have a wireless monitoring solution that could limit downhole equipment exposure without compromising on reliability or data quality. Our R&D team worked hard to merge two existing pieces of tried-and-true technology to develop a wireless platform without the massive cost and risk of developing something from scratch.
Utilizing our existing digital gauge platform with industry-leading data quality & reliability combined with our highly successful open hole DTS system with a track record of over 9,400 successful deployments we created our GEOEM 125 Gauge. Not only did it meet our clients requirements of reliability, data quality, data frequency, and consistent performance across a number of applications, but we were also able to deliver the solution quickly with a relatively low overhead cost. This ensured that this wireless technology platform would be economical and feasible for widespread use across their fields.
Figure 6: GEOEM 125 Wireless Downhole Gauge
Conclusion
We are incredibly proud of the partnerships we have developed over the years and the innovative solutions that have been created as a result. When compared to product vendors and service providers our deep commitment to our clients is clear. We stand behind our solutions for the long term, and are willing to invest the time and resources required to ensure long term value for our clients.
If you would like to know more about our commitment to technology partnerships with our clients, or how our deep vertical integration has enabled the development of groundbreaking products please contact us.
