AUVs had only been used for a limited number of tasks dictated by the technology available until newer technologies were developed. With the development of more advanced processing capabilities and high yield power supplies, AUVs are now being used in Brazil for some new tasks, although its primary function is still seismic studies and environment analysis.

 

Petrobras and PGS (Petroleum Geo-Services) announced on June 14th, 2010 in Rio de Janeiro that they have signed an agreement for PGS to install a permanent seismic monitoring system in the Jubarte field in the North Campos Basin, Espirito Santo province, offshore Brazil.

PGS will install its OptoSeis fiber-optic system, as well as perform seismic acquisition and data processing for the project. This project is a significant step forward in the use of geophysics for reservoir surveillance, in particular 4D-4C seismic to map the flow of fluids in Brazil's deep water reservoirs. It is hoped that the system will improve the quality and timeliness of information that Petrobras' geophysics team provide their counterparts, reservoir and production engineers, that operate the fields.

The OptoSeis technology provides richer data than other commercially available optical systems. The OptoSeis system is certified for reliability for the life of the reservoir.

Higher channel counts with high quality sensors recover more seismic energy and help cancel noise. The improved resolution and imaging translate into better exploration decisions.

PGS currently offers Integrated Reservoir Services and full solutions based on the OptoSeis fiber-optical permanent reservoir monitoring systems that enable cost-effective time-lapse 4-component, ( 4D-4C), seismic to improve recovery from existing reservoirs. Synergies from this development effort will further enhance the competitive edge of PGS with its existing fiber-optic instrument offering to the seismic industry for permanent reservoir monitoring, or life-of-field seismic.

"Petrobras is recognized as a world leader regarding deep water technology. Hence PGS is very pleased to have been given the opportunity to help Petrobras moving the technology frontiers again," said Per Arild Reksnes, Executive Vice President New Ventures, PGS. "OptoSeis provides high quality seismic on demand for both new and mature fields. The data from the system will give the basis for improved decisions on well placements and IOR/EOR programs. This will increase the recovery factor, which is vital for the commercial success of expensive deepwater field developments."

PGS OptoSeis is a completely passive in-sea system with no in-sea electronics.  Operational down to 3000m water depths, this system offers a more cost-effective alternative to electrical systems. PGS was awarded the project after winning a commercial tender. The initial project covers a portion of the Jubarte field that is over 245 sq-km, in water depths of 1240 - 1350m. Depending on the results the project can grow to cover the entire field.

The introduction of a new fiber-optic seismic reservoir monitoring system is a very important accomplishment as is expected to enhance seismic data recovery and eventually help decrease seismic survey costs, which are vital for efficient field t development. With the huge amount of potential fields to be explored off the Brazilian coast, the efficiency of seismic survey systems is hugely important.

 

Claudio Paschoa

Illustratio courtesy of PGS (Petroleum Geo-Services)

 

This new technical cooperation agreement between Petrobras and CGGVeritas highlights the importance of geophysical studies to the future of O&G exploration in Brazil.

CGGVeritas  has announced that it has signed a Technology Cooperation Agreement (TCA) with the Brazilian O&G player, Petrobras, for the collaborative development and implementation of new technologies in Geophysics. The TCA sets the framework for collaborative research projects between Petrobras and CGGVeritas over a three-year time period in specific areas such as 4D seismic processing, imaging and reservoir geophysics.

These research projects will be conducted at a recently opened CGGVeritas Technology Center in Rio de Janeiro. The TCA was signed by Robert Brunck, Chairman and CEO of CGGVeritas, at the inauguration ceremony for the new Technology Center. The Rio Technology Center is designed to offer O&G players in Brazil direct access to geophysical technology developed or customized by a dedicated R&D team focused on solving local geophysical challenges.

The Rio Technology Center is also developing partnerships with top universities recognized in Brazil as leaders in advanced geophysical studies such as the State University of Campinas, the Federal University of Pará, and the State University of North Fluminense.

Robert Brunck, Chairman and CEO of CGGVeritas, said: "We are extremely honored to sign this Technology Cooperation Agreement with Petrobras, a leading energy provider to whom we have had the privilege of providing seismic acquisition and processing services since 1961. We look forward to building on this successful partnership and widening our technical cooperation through the joint pursuit of strategic R&D projects for the development of innovative, customized technologies that will improve the understanding of the geological challenges prevalent here in Brazil and the wider Latin America region.”

CGGVeritas is a leading international geophysical company delivering a wide range of technologies, services and equipment through its parent company, Sercel, to its broad base of customers mainly throughout the global O&G industry.

If we look at the massive amount of exploration that is currently taking place off the Brazilian coast in shallow and deepwater prospects, the importance of this agreement becomes obvious. Seismic R&D is growing by leaps and bounds as new technologies are tested and introduced.  4D seismic imaging and interpretation is normally used more for production than exploration, but is very important when deciding production parameters.

 The geophysical challenges posed by complex geological systems such as the pre-salt layers and their identification and understanding are massive and Petrobras and other players working the Brazilian fields are making major investments in these areas. At this point there are quite a few major laboratories dedicated to geophysical studies and seismic interpretation in operation in Rio de Janeiro, including labs run by SLB and Halliburton, and Petrobras, always seeking new knowledge, has its hand in each and every one of them.

Another important fact about these labs is that they raise the standard of geophysical studies in Brazil and open new doors for young geophysicists and subsea engineers to learn from the best researchers in the world and pave the way to consolidate Brazil´s position as one of the leading powers in geophysical studies in the world.

 

Claudio Paschoa

Image courtesy of CGGVeritas

PRAVAP (Advanced Oil Recovery Program) began in 1993, when there was a need to create technological projects for the company to increase the recovery factor of its fields, prolonging its production on an economic and environmentally correct basis.

PRAVAP main objectives are to provide and advance technological solutions that increase the recovery factor of oil fields, for optimum economy and permit exploration of fields considered under-commercial due to restrictions in existing technology. PRAVAP is organized in systemic projects, which are groups of research projects with a common objective.
Wells - Its focus is on various technologies applicable in the well-formation interface, and in the construction of wells, in order to produce low-cost petroleum in mature or middle-aged fields, on or offshore. It comprises the following lines of action: Hydraulic fracturing in horizontal wells; Assessment of mechanical damage of the hydrocarbon-bearing formations; Remote treatment of satellite wells in offshore fields; Alternative sand production control  techniques; Optimization of well-shooting.

Optimization of Raw Water Injection and Re-injection
Oil production requires handling of water volumes equivalent to the volume of oil produced, and which tend to increase as the field approaches its mature stage. This project looks to supply plant and software and develop procedures for the proper management of injection, treatment, reinjection and disposal of water produced, activities which affect the costs in the recovery factor and control of environmental pollution. Its lines of research include the following:

Application of a closed cycle in water management, with total reinjeciton of the water produced; Modeling of loss of injectivity in reservoirs; Injection modeling above fracture pressure; Optimization of raw water injection projects; Application of new raw water injection technologies.

Seismics Applied to Reservoirs
Its prime purposes are first to provide seismic technologies to characterize thin and heterogeneous reservoirs, with less than 15 meter thickness, carrying a considerable portion of the oil reserves in Brazil. It also looks to monitor the routes followed by the injected water in reservoirs undergoing secondary recovery using 4D seismics. This last strategy permits the search for remaining oil in the reservoir using infill drilling. The research lines are:

4-D seismics; Modeling of thin and heterogeneous reservoirs; Advanced reservoir-attribute extraction; Seismic imaging of thin and heterogeneous reservoirs; Seismic acquisition for reservoirs; Monitoring and viewing applied to reservoir characterization.