PTRCs Microsensor Research and

Potential Application to the Bakken

Formation
Dr.MalcolmWilson
CEOPTRC
PresentedattheWillistonBasinPetroleumConference
May1,2013

PetroleumTechnologyResearchCentre
NonProfitResearch&Development
Collaborativepartnershipwith
Industry,GovernmentandResearch
Organizations
Committedtoreducingenvironmental
impactsofoilproduction
EnhancedOilRecoveryProgram
JIVE
Phanerozoic FluidsProject

ResearchassociatedwithCO2
management
IEAGHGWeyburnMidale CO2 Storage&
MonitoringProject
Aquistore

PTRCINCAS3 InnovationCentre
Foundedin2011to
promotetheunique
adaptationofmicrosensor
technologiesfortheoil
andgasindustry

Visit

http://pi-innovation-centre.ca

Toadvancetheuseof
microsensorsinother
naturalresources
industries,particularlyin
Canada

Challenge:CHOPS/PrimaryProduction
Current in
Research
Wormholes
primary production prove to be a challenge for producers.
Effective wormhole modeling of reservoirs will help improve production
z
Well
0

ra

x
Wormholes

rm

UnderstandingReservoirsBetter:Wormhole
MappingUsingMicrosensorTechnology
PTRC/INCAS3 Innovation Centre:
Development of sensor field trials

Early success November 2012

microsensors travel from an injection to a
production well in a field test
Research program with U of R leadership

Attempt to use sensor technologies to help

optimize existing recovery methods during
primary heavy oil production

Other applications such as downhole

monitoring at low cost

Visit

http://pi-innovation-centre.ca

Challenge:PipelineFlowandMonitoring
Anumberofongoing
issueswithpipelines:
Spotsofpotential
weaknessor
corrosion.
Locationsofflow
disruptions.
Pressuredropsor
increases

Solutions:Pipelines
Selfpositioningmodules
forchecking,predicting
leaks
Measurementofother
compoundslikeclaysand
asphaltenes
Sensorsthatcommunicate
withthecentralcontrol
computerstoallowmore
immediateresponseto
problems

Challenge:HydraulicFracturing

How far do the fractures

extend?
Why are some fractures
more successful than
others?
Are there ways of better
assuring environmental
protection and economic
benefit?
http://ny.water.usgs.gov/projectsummaries/CP30/Marcellus_Presentation_Williams.pdf

Solution:Microsensors

Injectionofsensorsinwith
proppant,toreportbackto
surface
Measureandmonitorsize
andlocationoffractures,for
bothenvironmental
maintenanceandoilrecovery
optimization
Monitoringofwellboreand
surfacecasingtodetect
potentialfluidleaks

Courtesy FracFocus.org

AdditionalKeyDevelopmentAreas

Wastewatersensing
Tailingsponds
Pumpsensors
Inreservoirsensing
Pipeintegritymonitoring
Downholesensing
Interwellcontrols

Thank You