IntelliServ

Last updated
IntelliServ
Product typeBroadband network drill string system
Introduced2009
Website https://www.nov.com/about/our-business-units/intelliserv

IntelliServ is a National Oilwell Varco brand that manufactures and sells a broadband networked drilling string system used to transmit downhole information to the surface in a drilling operation.

Contents

Background

This series of photographs shows the coax cable and coil as the connection is made. IntelliServ coax cable and coil.jpg
This series of photographs shows the coax cable and coil as the connection is made.

The IntelliServ network is a broadband telemetry system that allows instant transmission of data between the surface and the measurement tools positioned in the drill string bottom-hole assembly near the drill bit. [1] IntelliServ originated in a 1997 project on hydraulic mud hammers sponsored by the company Novatek and the United States Department of Energy. [2] The project addressed the need for instant transmission of downhole data (data acquired within the wellhole) through drill pipe, leading to Novatek’s beginning on a networked drill pipe development project. In 2001, the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) began providing funding for the drill pipe project and an additional drill pipe data transmission project. [3]

in 2006, research resulted in the IntelliServ network and Intellipipe, a drill pipe with an embedded data cable. [4] In 2005, Grant Prideco bought the IntelliServ technology [3] and launched the first IntelliServ network. [5] Grant Prideco was purchased by National Oilwell Varco (NOV) in 2008, and the NOV-IntelliServ joint venture was formed in 2009 with 55% National Oilwell Varco and 45% Schlumberger ownership. [3]

The first commercial deployment of a drill string telemetry network occurred using IntelliServ’s product in Myanmar in December 2006. [6]

Technology

The IntelliServ network components are embedded in drill string components, known as IntelliPipe, which transmit subsurface data at 57,000 bits per second. [2] The IntelliServ network upgrade raised the speed to one million bits per second. [4] The two-way data communication between downhole Measurement while drilling (MWD) and Logging while drilling (LWD) measurement tools and the operators at the surface [7] allow the operators to command rotary-steering tools, or configure downhole tools such as the formation pressure testing tool or sonic tools. [8]

This image represents the driller's view of downhole information provided by the IntelliServ Broadband Network. The top right section shows the real-time pressure change as a weighted fluid sweeps the annulus and quantifies hole cleaning efficiency. The bottom image helps detect cutting pack-off. IntelliServ Broadband Network screenshot.jpg
This image represents the driller’s view of downhole information provided by the IntelliServ Broadband Network. The top right section shows the real-time pressure change as a weighted fluid sweeps the annulus and quantifies hole cleaning efficiency. The bottom image helps detect cutting pack-off.

The IntelliServ network includes measurement nodes along the full length of the drill string that allow operators to acquire data along the wellbore. [2] The measurement nodes measure and transmit temperature and pressure data acquired along the drill string, [3] which can improve well site efficiency and reduce risks associated with hole cleaning, such as pack offs. [8] [9] The transmission of information is not affected by the depth, formation resistivity, drilling fluid properties, or required flow of the well. Surface operating parameters can control items detected by the sensors, such as shock and vibration.

The networked drill pipe can transmit data acquired by most large service companies. As of March 2012, the system has been deployed on 90 wells totaling more than 1 million feet of drilling. [10]

Inside of the IntelliServ facility in Provo, Utah. IntelliServ facility in Provo, Utah.jpg
Inside of the IntelliServ facility in Provo, Utah.

Notable Partners

IntelliServ partners with the following companies and organizations:

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Telemetry</span> Data and measurements transferred from a remote location to receiving equipment for monitoring

Telemetry is the in situ collection of measurements or other data at remote points and their automatic transmission to receiving equipment (telecommunication) for monitoring. The word is derived from the Greek roots tele, 'remote', and metron, 'measure'. Systems that need external instructions and data to operate require the counterpart of telemetry: telecommand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wireline (cabling)</span> Technology used in oil and gas wells

In the oil and gas industry, the term wireline usually refers to the use of multi-conductor, single conductor or slickline cable, or "wireline", as a conveyance for the acquisition of subsurface petrophysical and geophysical data and the delivery of well construction services such as pipe recovery, perforating, plug setting and well cleaning and fishing. The subsurface geophysical and petrophysical information results in the description and analysis of subsurface geology, reservoir properties and production characteristics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drill string</span> Drill pipe that transmits drilling fluid

A drill string on a drilling rig is a column, or string, of drill pipe that transmits drilling fluid and torque to the drill bit. The term is loosely applied to the assembled collection of the smuggler pool, drill collars, tools and drill bit. The drill string is hollow so that drilling fluid can be pumped down through it and circulated back up the annulus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baker Hughes</span> American oil field services company

Baker Hughes Company is an American energy company based in Houston, Texas. As one of the world's largest oil field services companies, it provides products and services for oil well drilling, formation evaluation, completion, production, reservoir consulting, and tubular running services. It operates in over 120 countries, with research and manufacturing facilities in Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, India, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Germany, Norway, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Missouri. From 2017 to 2020, the company was majority owned by General Electric (GE); however, GE no longer owns an economic stake in the company. The company is incorporated in Delaware.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Directional drilling</span> Practice of drilling non-vertical bores

Directional drilling is the practice of drilling non-vertical bores. It can be broken down into four main groups: oilfield directional drilling, utility installation directional drilling, directional boring, and surface in seam (SIS), which horizontally intersects a vertical bore target to extract coal bed methane.

Well logging, also known as borehole logging is the practice of making a detailed record of the geologic formations penetrated by a borehole. The log may be based either on visual inspection of samples brought to the surface or on physical measurements made by instruments lowered into the hole. Some types of geophysical well logs can be done during any phase of a well's history: drilling, completing, producing, or abandoning. Well logging is performed in boreholes drilled for the oil and gas, groundwater, mineral and geothermal exploration, as well as part of environmental and geotechnical studies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NOV Inc.</span> U.S. energy company

NOV Inc., formerly National Oilwell Varco, is an American multinational corporation based in Houston, Texas. It is a worldwide provider of equipment and components used in oil and gas drilling and production operations, oilfield services, and supply chain integration services to the upstream oil and gas industry. The company conducts operations in more than 500 locations across six continents, operating through three reporting segments: Rig Technologies, Wellbore Technologies, and Completion & Production Solutions.

Logging while drilling (LWD) is a technique of conveying well logging tools into the well borehole downhole as part of the bottom hole assembly (BHA).

A drilling rig is used to create a borehole or well in the earth's sub-surface, for example in order to extract natural resources such as gas or oil. During such drilling, data is acquired from the drilling rig sensors for a range of purposes such as: decision-support to monitor and manage the smooth operation of drilling; to make detailed records of the geologic formations penetrated by a borehole; to generate operations statistics and performance benchmarks such that improvements can be identified, and to provide well planners with accurate historical operations-performance data with which to perform statistical risk analysis for future well operations. The terms measurement while drilling (MWD), and logging while drilling (LWD) are not used consistently throughout the industry. Although these terms are related, within the context of this section, the term measurement while drilling refers to directional-drilling measurements, e.g. for decision support for the wellbore path, while LWD refers to measurements concerning the geological formations penetrated while drilling.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blowout preventer</span> Specialized valve

A blowout preventer (BOP) is a specialized valve or similar mechanical device, used to seal, control and monitor oil and gas wells to prevent blowouts, the uncontrolled release of crude oil or natural gas from a well. They are usually installed in stacks of other valves.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drill stem test</span>

A drill stem test (DST) is a procedure for isolating and testing the pressure, permeability and productive capacity of a geological formation during the drilling of a well. The test is an important measurement of pressure behaviour at the drill stem and is a valuable way of obtaining information on the formation fluid and establishing whether a well has found a commercial hydrocarbon reservoir.

Geosteering is the optimal placement of a wellbore based on the results of realtime downhole geological and geophysical logging measurements rather than three-dimensional targets in space. The objective is usually to keep a directional wellbore within a hydrocarbon pay zone defined in terms of its resistivity, density or even biostratigraphy. In mature areas, geosteering may be used to keep a wellbore in a particular reservoir section to minimize gas or water breakthrough and maximize economic production from the well. In the process of drilling a borehole, geosteering is the act of adjusting the borehole position on the fly to reach one or more geological targets. These changes are based on geological information gathered while drilling.

Underbalanced drilling, or UBD, is a procedure used to drill oil and gas wells where the pressure in the wellbore is kept lower than the static pressure of the formation being drilled. As the well is being drilled, formation fluid flows into the wellbore and up to the surface. This is the opposite of the usual situation, where the wellbore is kept at a pressure above the formation to prevent formation fluid entering the well. In such a conventional "overbalanced" well, the invasion of fluid is considered a kick, and if the well is not shut-in it can lead to a blowout, a dangerous situation. In underbalanced drilling, however, there is a "rotating head" at the surface - essentially a seal that diverts produced fluids to a separator while allowing the drill string to continue rotating.

The original depth recorded while drilling an oil or gas well is known as the driller's depth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coiled tubing</span> Long metal pipe used in oil and gas wells

In the oil and gas industry, coiled tubing refers to a long metal pipe, normally 1 to 3.25 in in diameter which is supplied spooled on a large reel. It is used for interventions in oil and gas wells and sometimes as production tubing in depleted gas wells. Coiled tubing is often used to carry out operations similar to wirelining. The main benefits over wireline are the ability to pump chemicals through the coil and the ability to push it into the hole rather than relying on gravity. Pumping can be fairly self-contained, almost a closed system, since the tube is continuous instead of jointed pipe. For offshore operations, the 'footprint' for a coiled tubing operation is generally larger than a wireline spread, which can limit the number of installations where coiled tubing can be performed and make the operation more costly. A coiled tubing operation is normally performed through the drilling derrick on the oil platform, which is used to support the surface equipment, although on platforms with no drilling facilities a self-supporting tower can be used instead. For coiled tubing operations on sub-sea wells a mobile offshore drilling unit (MODU) e.g. semi-submersible, drillship etc. has to be utilized to support all the surface equipment and personnel, whereas wireline can be carried out from a smaller and cheaper intervention vessel. Onshore, they can be run using smaller service rigs, and for light operations a mobile self-contained coiled tubing rig can be used.

A rotary steerable system (RSS) is a form of drilling technology used in directional drilling. It employs the use of specialized downhole equipment to replace conventional directional tools such as mud motors. They are generally programmed by the measurement while drilling (MWD) engineer or directional driller who transmits commands using surface equipment which the tool responds to, and gradually steers into the desired direction. In other words, a tool designed to drill directionally with continuous rotation from the surface, eliminating the need to "slide" a mud motor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pipe recovery operations</span>

Pipe recovery is a specific wireline operation used in the oil and gas industry, when the drill string becomes stuck downhole. Stuck pipe prevents the drill rig from continuing operations. This results in costly downtime, ranging anywhere from $10,000-1,000,000 per day of downtime, therefore it is critical to resolve the problem as quickly as possible. Pipe recovery is the process by which the location of the stuck pipe is identified, and the free pipe is separated from the stuck pipe either by a backoff or a chemical cut. This allows fishing tools to subsequently be run down hole to latch onto and remove the stuck pipe.

Grant Prideco, Inc. is a supplier of drill pipe and drill stem accessories headquartered in Houston, Texas. Since 2008, it has been a subsidiary of energy services company NOV Inc. Grant Prideco was included on the Fortune magazine top 1000 largest corporations for several years in the mid-2000s and through the 1990s and early 2000s was the world's largest oilfield drill pipe supplier.

References

  1. "Along string pressure, temperature measurements hold revolutionary promise for downhole management.” Drilling Contractor Magazine. March 12, 2009
  2. 1 2 3 "Grant Prideco's IntelliServ poised to take the drilling industry from dial-up into the world of broadband." Hsieh, Linda. Drilling Contractor Magazine. March/April 2006.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 “The Evolution and Potential of Networked Pipe.” JPT. April 2010
  4. 1 2 “Revolutionary ‘smart pipe’ creates ‘downhole Internet.’” E&P Focus. Vol. 2 No. 1 2006
  5. "Grant Prideco Launches the IntelliServ Network." Rigzone. Feb 8, 2006
  6. Fredericks, Paul; Don Reitsma; Tom Runggai; Neil Hudson; Ralf Zaeper; Oliver Backhaus; Maximo Hernandez (March 2008). "Successful Implementation of First Closed Loop, Multiservice Control System for Automated Pressure Management in a Shallow Gas Well Offshore Myanmar". Society of Petroleum Engineers Conference Paper. Retrieved 11 September 2012.
  7. Veengingen, Daan. "Wired pipe delineates safer drilling margins.” Drilling Contractor Magazine. March/April 2012
  8. 1 2 “Novel High Speed Telemetry System with Measurements Along the String Mitigates Drilling Risk and Improves Drilling Efficiency.” Society of Petroleum Engineers. June 2011. ISBN   978-1-61399-123-7
  9. " “Along-String Pressure Evaluation Enabled by Broadband Networked Drillstring Provide Safety, Efficiency Gains.” Veeningen, Daan. Offshore Technology Conference. ISBN   978-1-61399-144-2.
  10. "Wired pipe telemetry provides step-change improvements.” Drilling Contractor Magazine. March 19, 2009
  11. "INTEQ Enters into Services Agreement for IntelliServ Wired Drill Pipe Telemetry System.” [ permanent dead link ] Baker Hughes press release. July 25, 2007
  12. “New Wired-Pipe Telemetry System Tested in Arkoma Basin.” Oil and Gas Journal. March 27, 2006
  13. Lawrence, Luke; Bruce Redmond; Rick Russell; Dave McNeill; Mike Reeves; Maximo Hernandez (May 2009). "Intelligent Wired Drill-Pipe System Provides Significant Improvements in Drilling Performance on Offshore Australia Development". Offshore Technology. doi:10.4043/20067-MS . Retrieved 11 September 2012.
  14. "Illuminating Innovations." [ permanent dead link ] North Sea Contact. December 2009