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Forewarned is forearmed, an adage that is particularly true when it comes to deepwater drilling. Offshore drillers are increasingly relying on existing and new downhole data technologies to make real-time decisions and keep operations safe, writes Jennifer Pallanich.

ulti-trip completions in offshore wells have long left operators in the dark about what was happening in the pay zone. Modular technol-

M ogy that connects hydraulics, electric and ? - ber optics between the upper and lower completions deliv- ers reservoir performance data in real-time.

Complex offshore and subsea wells often rely on multi- trip completion designs to ensure the completion assembly reaches depth without damaging the reservoir. The draw- back of this approach is that it has, until recently, made it impossible to run ? ber, electric and hydraulic lines that reach the lower completion, which is the part that is in contact with the reservoir.

Thomas Scott, global product line director for intel- ligent production systems and reservoir information at

Baker Hughes, says the industry has been operating with insuf? cient data since the 1970s, leaving operators unable

Source: Baker Hughes to tell how ef? ciently they were draining an asset.

In answer to this problem, Baker Hughes developed a “WE MODELED THESE THINGS downhole intelligent wet-mate system that enables real-

IN THE PAST, AND NOW WE’RE time production monitoring and control of the comple-

ACTUALLY MEASURING THESE tion system across the entire wellbore in multi-trip com-

THINGS. IT TAKES THE GUESS pletions. The SureCONNECT enables connection and

WORK OUT OF THIS.” re-connection of the upper completion components with the lower completion. The system uses a modular ap- – THOMAS SCOTT, proach to connect the hydraulics, the electrics that power

GLOBAL PRODUCT LINE DIRECTOR FOR traditional monitoring systems such as quartz-based pres-

INTELLIGENT PRODUCTION SYSTEMS sure temperature gauges and in-well ? ow control valves,

AND RESERVOIR INFORMATION AT along with ? ber optics with one system design.

BAKER HUGHES “The SureCONNECT system as a whole is a tool that allows us to run multiple trips in the completion,” Scott says. “This system allows operators to complete wells in Because the installation is permanent, it provides in- ways they never thought possible.” formation about changing reservoir conditions over the

The system makes available “real-time data that we un- life of the well. The SureCONNECT system also allows derstand and makes it actionable. It’s not just feeding out workover operations to be completed without retrieving data, but what does it mean from a reservoir perspective? the lower completion, such as installation or retrieval of

What can I do to get more value?” Scott says the system an electrical submersible pump or repairing a safety valve, “enables monitoring and control in the lower completion. which decreases rig time, safety risks and equipment costs.

For the ? rst time in the industry, we’ve enabled every well At its heart, Scott says, the system is intended to help op- to have this level of monitoring.” erators derive more value out of their assets while enabling

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