Archer releases Point system for well integrity management

Oil services company and well integrity specialist Archer has launched the Point system, a well integrity resource that combines Archer’s experience and its proactive and systematic approach to integrity management. 

The Point system, deployed proactively and systematically at the surface and downhole, combines integrity measurements, expert assessment, and analysis to evaluate barrier performance and identify the precise location of leaks and flowpaths without pulling the completion string. Underpinned by the Point system’s integrity diagnostics and proprietary ultrasound technology, oil and gas operators can look forward to:

• Proactive and systematic integrity management that is designed to mitigate the risk of costly surprises with minimal interruptions to production. The Point system starts with a client consultation to develop a common understanding of the integrity challenge followed by an initial surface investigation and then—if required—downhole deployment.
• The complete integration of surface and downhole measurements, generating vital information on the well.
• The evaluation of barrier sealing performance rather than barrier condition and the ability to locate leaks and flowpaths beyond the tubing to improve integrity management. 

“The industry is at a tipping point. When it comes to maximizing well performance, we need to look beyond a focus on reservoir and production dynamics and embrace a third equally crucial pillar—integrity dynamics,” said Ken Feather, vice president, marketing and sales wireline at Archer. “Our Point system provides the most complete insight into integrity dynamics available in the industry today, enabling operators to locate barrier leaks and flowpaths throughout the well system efficiently, accurately and comprehensively. This means better decisions on remediation more quickly, improved well profitability, and most important of all—reduced integrity risk.” 

The Point system consists of seven powerful diagnostic programs underpinned by Archer’s proprietary ultrasound technology that enables a proactive and systematic approach to integrity management. The programs are designed to investigate or locate a range of failure types from the surface or downhole and are based on:

• CheckPoint—Deployed at surface routinely to validate integrity or investigate a known integrity issue, as an alternative to exposing the operator to the disruptions, costs, and risks associated with logging interventions. Three CheckPoint options are available to investigate integrity failures from the surface: CheckPoint/A10 for primary barrier leaks; CheckPoint/A50 for all barrier leaks and a single annular flowpath; and CheckPoint/A70 for all barrier leaks and multiple annular flow paths.
• LeakPoint—LeakPoint takes CheckPoint one step further—downhole to locate barrier leaks. LeakPoint is designed to expose leaks in the primary tubular, surrounding casings or completion equipment, and beyond the A-annulus—even while a well is flowing. Two LeakPoint options are available to locate integrity failures downhole: LeakPoint/A10 for primary barrier leaks; and LeakPoint/A30 for all barrier leaks.
• FlowPoint—FlowPoint builds on the capabilities of LeakPoint to locate barrier leaks and flowpaths throughout the well system, and is designed to diagnose complex failure scenarios. FlowPoint captures the ultrasound energy and temperature anomalies created by turbulent fluid flow through barrier leaks and annular flowpaths. From within the tubing, it is also designed to detect flow behind pipe—even through multiple casing strings. Two FlowPoint programs are available to locate integrity failures downhole: FlowPoint/A50 for all barrier leaks and a single annular flowpath; and FlowPoint/A70 for all barrier leaks and multiple annular flowpaths. 

Ultrasound energy can be generated by the turbulent flow of fluids through leaks and flowpaths in wells and can also pass through fluids, steel and cement, allowing for detection behind tubing and casing. The Point system’s sensitive ultrasound receivers, advanced digital signal processing, high-precision temperature sensors, proprietary detection algorithms, and flow modelling engine are designed to enable operators to reveal the exact location of barrier failures throughout the well system.

Image: The Point system/Archer