New sand control technology developed
The newly developed SandTrap service uses a formation stabilization system to assist operators with economical recovery of bypassed hydrocarbons in friable or weakly consolidated reservoir sands.
To date, the service has been successfully deployed in reservoirs prone to sand production problems in the Gulf of Mexico, California, Indonesia, and Argentina, the company points out.
The service offers two new completion options that can help stabilize the formation surrounding the wellbore-as a standalone screenless sand control treatment or as a screenless frac pack in conjunction with consolidating proppant, such as this firm’s Expedite service-to provide sand control with stimulation for weakly consolidated oil and gas sands.
Along with providing operators a choice of completion options, the new service offers several alternative means of placement, including down production tubing, coiled tubing, and jointed pipe and service packer.
In its simplest form, the service technology combines near wellbore consolidation with the option for stimulation using a tip screen out fracture treatment, the firm notes. This technique combines good formation penetration and permeability retention through sure setting, good adhesion, and strength on sands with clay content. Plus, it remains viable even in conditions of greater than 350º F.
Source: Halliburton Production Optimization Div., Box 3, Houston, TX 77001.
New lockout device for valves
Here’s a US Occupational Safety & Health Administration-compliant lockout device designed to protect workers from accidents and injuries during servicing and maintenance of actuator-controlled valves.
Available in six sizes, the Apollo lockout unit features top and bottom ISO 5211-style tapping so it mounts easily between an actuator and valve. The unit locks an automated valve into a fully open or closed position and accommodates up to six different locks. Also, the device can be affixed with an OSHA-approved safety tag.
Source: Conbraco, Box 247, Matthews, NC 28106.
