Software Technology Briefs

Eka names Singla gM, CTRM Software

Eka Software Solutions, a global provider of Smart Commodity Management software solutions, has appointed Sanjay Singla as general manager, CTRM Software. Singla is responsible for driving the ongoing development and services of Eka's next-generation commodity trading and risk management (CTRM) software. Singla has more than 20 years of global experience in the commodities, financial services, and banking space. Prior to this promotion, he was VP global professional services at Eka. He has a B.Tech in Computer Science from the National Institute of Technology, Kurukshetra. Eka's CTRM software, InSight CM, is an advanced transaction management platform, suitable for a wide range of commodities in the agriculture, manufacturing, metals, and energy industries. Commodity market participants use Eka's solution to manage commodity trading, raw material procurement, risk & compliance, and supply chain & operations. The company's best-of-breed solutions manage commodity trading, enterprise risk, compliance, procurement, supply chain, operations, logistics, bulk handling, processing, and decision support.

CGG: GeoSoftware Integrates Geoscience Disciplines

CGG GeoSoftware has completed the launch of a series of new releases from across its reservoir characterization product portfolio. The delivery of Jason 9.5, HampsonRussell 10.1, InsightEarth 3.0.2, PowerLog 9.5, EarthModel FT 9.5 and VelPro 9.5. marks the next stage in GeoSoftware's strategy to offer a full suite of powerful and complementary software solutions that integrate multi-disciplinary workflows to overcome complex subsurface challenges in all types of reservoirs. New capabilities cover the geoscience spectrum, including geophysics, geology, petrophysics, geomechanics and reservoir engineering, providing E&P companies with insights on assets to help them reduce drilling risks and boost production results. GeoSoftware applications offer workflows that can be tailored to fit specific project needs, offering flexibility and driving collaboration for the best possible results. With the combination of these latest versions of Jason, HampsonRussell, InsightEarth, PowerLog, EarthModel FT and VelPro, clients will find a full suite of integrated and advanced technology to enhance their seismic-to-simulation workflow that they can plug into their own preferred petrotechnical platform and processes.

Flow-Cal President appointed chairman of UHCL Advisory Board

Flow-Cal Inc. president Mike Squyres has been appointed to serve as the inaugural chairman for University of Houston-Clear Lake's (UHCL) School of Science and Computer Engineering (SCE) Advisory Board. The SCE Advisory Board is comprised of professionals from science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) related industries. Board members are invited to serve three-year terms by Dr. Zbigniew J. Czajkiewicz, Dean of the School of Science and Computer Engineering. The purpose of the newly-formed SCE Advisory Board is to ensure that the school continues to grow and remain relevant. As chairman, Squyres will work with 15 other members to oversee an effective course of action for the school by evaluating and developing the curriculum, developing new programs and labs, and advising on the strategic direction. Additionally, the SCE Advisory Board will assist in promoting the school and its subsequent programs, recruiting new students and fund raising for scholarships and equipment. Over the next three years, the primary initiatives for the SCE Advisory Board will be to increase graduate student enrollment, support the proposal for the addition of a Mechanical Engineering program, and oversee facilities expansion with the construction of a new STEM classroom building - a $65.7 million project scheduled to be completed in the fall of 2018. Flow-Cal, Inc., a Houston-based software developer, provides measurement data management for natural gas and petroleum liquids.

Acceleware files patent and Announces Partnership with GE

Acceleware Ltd. plans to test and commercialize its patent-pending "RF XL" heating technology aimed at saving on oil sands production costs while reducing GHG emissions and water use. Calgary-based Acceleware will partner with GE to develop critical power components and complete a pilot test of the new heavy oil production technology. Acceleware's technology uses radio waves instead of steam, driving down the cost of oil sands production and lowering its environmental impact comparable to that of other global sources of crude oil. While RF XL provides a low-cost, low-carbon method to produce heavy oil and oil sands bitumen on its own, it can also improve production from existing and future SAGD projects. A key to achieving the operating and capital cost reductions from the Acceleware solution is the integration of GE's proprietary high-efficiency SiC power electronics. Acceleware expects pilot testing will draw on the expertise of a consortium of oil producers, with technology deployment on a typical oil sands well pair slated for 2017. The company believes it can be tested, commercialized, and ready for wide-scale deployment in three to five years. "We believe RF XL has the potential to deliver operating cost savings of up to 50%, which is significant when compared to the current industry average operating cost of $14.39 for SAGD1," said Mike Tourigny, VP Commercialization of RF Heating for Acceleware. "We also see potential for capital cost reductions on the order of 66% when compared to the industry average for SAGD. In addition to compelling economic benefits, this technology requires no external water, uses no solvents or chemicals, and should reduce GHG emissions by 50% or more." Acceleware develops high performance seismic imaging and modeling software products and provides technology for radio frequency heating, an emerging thermal enhanced oil recovery method.

Drillinginfo adds additional analytics tools

Drillinginfo, an oil and gas analytics company, has added functionality to its existing suite of exploration and production intelligence and decision support tools. The goal of the enhancements is to help users minimize risk and maximize accuracy in production predictions while accessing subsurface data in a single source. Since April, Drillinginfo customers have had access to the new Probabilistic Decline Curve Analysis tool. This functionality enables subscribers to manage risk by understanding the range of possible EURs with automatic curve fitting in a single platform. Traditional methods require both data sourcing and loading, and manual model development. With the DI Transform 5.1 release, licensees are now able to analyze the contribution of engineering variables to production within a geologic context, and understand well bore placement and characteristics, as well as positive or negative well interference. With legacy tools, isolating engineering variables from rock properties is difficult, as is the understanding of where the well bore lands with precision, or if production will be affected by neighboring wells.

Quorum notes General Availability of First Persona-Based Transaction Management Software for Pipeline Industry

Quorum, a provider of software for hydrocarbon and energy business management, recently noted the general availability of myQuorum Pipeline Management to help pipeline companies maximize capacity utilization, improve customer satisfaction and maintain regulatory compliance. myQuorum is the energy industry's first persona-based user experience platform. With a focus on improving operational efficiency for pipeline companies and their customers, myQuorum Pipeline Management brings disparate workflows together and automates key business processes for users. This user-centric approach addresses the specific needs of operators and external schedulers with role-based dashboards, widgets and dynamic workflows. TransGas Ltd., a Canadian natural gas transportation and storage company, went into production with myQuorum Pipeline Management on June 1, 2016 as part of an overall strategy to enhance usability, ensure compliance and improve customer satisfaction. The new release of myQuorum Pipeline Management features the first in a series of planned add-ins, starting with Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Outlook. Utilizing these tools, internal and external users are able to streamline analysis with direct access to myQuorum Pipeline Management transaction data in Excel and make decisions quickly with Outlook notifications from myQuorum Pipeline Management. Quorum manages over 50,000 miles of interstate and intrastate pipeline and has been delivering innovative software that provides business benefits to pipeline companies for almost 20 years.

Energy Navigator unveils Val Nav 2016 engineering and reserves software

Oil and gas software maker Energy Navigator has released Val Nav 2016. Enhanced data management capabilities in Val Nav 2016 deliver efficiency and productivity gains aimed at helping E&P companies to bridge the personnel gap caused by industry downsizing. New data editing and auditing features help provide insight into reserves and add to data confidence. The release includes more than 60 user-requested enhancements, plus new features like a Spreadsheet Import tool and comprehensive Data View grid. Energy Navigator's software is used by over 400 E&P companies worldwide. Value Navigator® delivers speed and reliability in oil and gas forecasting, economic evaluations and reserves management. AFE Navigator® is a secure, electronic AFE system that works on any web-enabled device to optimize AFE workflow and control capital. The company has offices in Calgary, Houston, Denver, and Brisbane.

Mark Cuban Invests in BetaZi LLC

BetaZi has opened the door to its first external investor with the recent initial tranche of funding from businessman and entrepreneur Mark Cuban through his VC entity Radical Investments. "BetaZi is the definition of disruptive innovation for oil and gas production forecasting. Its new model has physics, big data statistics, and machine learning combined for the first time to automatically produce the most accurate forecasts available, and that's why I've invested in them. It's a step change in the standards of analysis for oil and gas wells by E&P companies and Wall Street firms," said Cuban. BetaZi has made inroads into the finance, insurance, production, banking, and engineering sectors of the oil and gas industry, as well as successfully petitioning to provide services to federal agencies. The company plans to launch new products in Q4 this year. BetaZi provides production oil and gas forecasting solutions based on Physics-Based Predictive Analytics. Since 2012, the company has modeled over a million wells.

Systran uses virtual reality for training

Systran developers are tapping into virtual reality and gaming technology, using it to create a new-age training platform to change the way operators learn to work safely in plants. Systran's newest technology, the LOTO EXP Virtual Experience Trainer, is a PC-based platform that allows learners to practice the Lock-Out-Tag-Out protocol in a safe and controlled environment. Controlled with an Xbox game controller, the LOTO EXP Virtual Experience Trainer teaches personnel to safely isolate, drain and safely LOTO a control valve, a centrifugal pump, and a shell and tube heat exchanger in a realistic, virtual plant setting. Systran is able to customize the platform to match any given client's parameters, down to the plant layout and procedure. Instead of watching videos or sitting in a classroom lecture, trainees go through the motions of interacting with the equipment and valves while coordinating with a console operator in the virtual world. Houston-based Systran Inc. provides operations and maintenance manuals, procedures and training materials to the energy and hydrocarbon processing industries.

eLynx Technologies highlighted in keynote at Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference

eLynx Technologies was highlighted at Microsoft's annual Worldwide Partner Conference during the keynote speech delivered by Judson Althoff, executive vice president, worldwide commercial business for Microsoft. eLynx showcased its SCADALynx software and its features available to oil and gas producers. SCADA is an industry term for supervisory control and data acquisition. The eLynx software allows customers to monitor production equipment, including gauges, meters, pumps, and tanks in real-time, leveraging the 24/7 global delivery of Microsoft's Azure IoT Technology. In Azure, the data can undergo continual analysis for patterns that can improve well production or prevent equipment failure. eLynx is able to gather clients' well production data within Azure, where Microsoft's Cortana Intelligence Suite helps eLynx and its customers identify and predict equipment and production issues before they surface. SCADALynx software then provides views and alerts to notify operators about potential issues before they become problems.

IKON Science runs program for geoscientists betweeen jobs during downturn

Ikon Science, a software and service provider to the oil and gas industry, is running various initiatives under a 'Geo's between Jobs' program aimed to support industry professionals affected during the downturn. In late June 2016, Ikon Science Americas invited the first group of 12 winners into the Ikon office for RokDoc training. Following the class, the group will have free use of a three-month license, with data and support. Ikon Science has set August dates for the next courses in Houston (now full), London, and Malaysia. The company hopes the initiative will make it to the Middle East, Australia, Asia and beyond: Ikon Science is open to hear from organizations that would be able to donate training facilities (room with computers) to the cause. A further part of the 'Geos between Jobs' program includes an open invitation for job seekers to in-house Ikon Science client events. Ikon Science staff share expertise and showcase technology, workflows or ideas. Geo's between Jobs can use the opportunity to network, learn new things and of course enjoy ikon's famous hospitality. The final offering is to ensure that no seats are left empty on the company's public software or theory courses. Once running a course is economically viable, spare places are to be donated to the 'Geo's between Jobs' program. Availability and application information will be posted on Ikon Science's LinkedIn page as they arise.