Equipment/Software/Literature

New metering system for tight gas reservoirs

The CARBONTRACKER gas metering system is a new development in reservoir characterization for tight gas, underbalanced drilling operations.

The meter is designed specifically for tight gas reservoirs and is accurate at flow velocities as low as 1 fps. Installed in the flare line between this firm's MUD/GAS SEPARATOR and the flare stack, the meter measures gas flow velocity, temperature, and pressure to determine actual and standard volumetric flow, as well as mass flow rates.

Rather than making decisions based only on log data to predict production, operators can find the location of productive gas zones while drilling underbalanced, the company points out.

The meter can be used on any rig, onshore or off. With no moving parts, it tolerates dirty or wet conditions and creates no obstructions in the flare line. The unit includes the flow cell that is installed in the flare line, a flow computer, and a housing to protect the electronic components.

Source: M-I SWACO Pressure Control Group, Box 42842, Houston, TX 77242-2842.

Solar option addds portability to skimmer

Here's the new Oil Grabber Model 8 with a solar option that makes the unit portable.

The unit provides a continuous belt and wiper to remove as much 40 gph of oil from the fluid surface—and lets you "run with the sun." A 12-v motor powers the compact, self-contained unit. That motor runs off a deep-cycle battery, which in turn is recharged by an adjustable solar panel. It takes only a couple of hours to recharge the battery, the company notes.