Archer launches new acoustic listening platform

Archer has launched the VIVID acoustic listening platform - a patented, highly sensitive, acoustic technology that detects, investigates and locates leaks in real-time, verifies cement barrier seals and characterises downhole events with unparalleled precision.

The VIVID platform consists of full-spectrum acoustic sensors that accurately measure the broadest frequency bandwidth and amplitude of acoustic energy with industry-leading sensitivity and can even locate previously indiscernible low energy leaks. Developed by Archer’s Research and Development team and independently-tested, VIVID will play a key role in casing and completion evaluation, cement performance evaluation and turbulent flow analysis.

“Our VIVID acoustic listening platform represents a major turning point in the industry — detecting leaks that were previously undetectable and generating previously unavailable downhole information,” said Peter Kleinbichler, Wireline vice president Sales & Marketing at Archer.

He added: “With an increased industry focus on efficiencies, costs and safety, VIVID is the right technology for the right time — providing the clearest answers yet on downhole events, improving oil & gas performance, and providing documented evidence that operators are addressing safety and regulatory requirements during both the operational and P&A phases of the well lifecycle.”

Key applications for VIVID include:

• Casing and completion evaluation with the acoustic technology able to detect leaks while logging dynamically in the presence of road or surface noise; characterize leak responses in gas and liquid, and gas bubble flow; locate gas migration behind casing that was previously below detection thresholds and identify cross flow behind perforations;
• Cement performance evaluation with VIVID determining the sealing quality of the cement; evaluating flow in the presence of micro-annuli; and establishing minimum flow levels through a cement barrier; and
• Turbulence mapping where turbulent flow can be mapped in real-time with VIVID‘s full broadband spectrum and sensitivity supporting production flow characterization and mitigation of completion damage.

The testing of VIVID took place at IRIS AS (The International Research Institute of Stavanger) in partnership with DrillWell (The Drilling and Well Centre for Improved Recovery). DrillWell’s objective is to improve drilling and well technology and includes AkerBP, ConocoPhillips, Statoil and Wintershall as its’ industrial partners.