Today, Liberty Oil Services announced it entered a partnership with Luna Innovation, a global leader in advanced optical technology. Moreover, the association, according to the companies, could potentially lead to optimized hydrocarbon production.
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Liberty Oil Services on harnessing fiber-optic
Thus, through this agreement, Luna Innovation’s OptaSense business will introduce FracSense, a diagnostic service to help engineering professionals acquire more accurate diagnostic information in oil and gas fields.
Therefore, the FracSense technology, launched in partnership with Liberty, utilizes real-time fiber optic measurements to monitor the fracture treatment process in wells.
Besides, it captures high resolution, and real-time data allows operators to course correct. Moreover, the FracSense improves fracture length and fracture-height model calibration and evaluates adequate well spacing.
According to OptaSense, the fiber can be deployed into new or existing wells, which allows it to be later used to profile production.
Why the interest in optical sensors in E&P
In fact, the strong E&P industry interest in optical sensors derives mainly from the expectation of higher reliability than conventional gauges. Especially, this comes from the absence of active electronics in the downhole device.
Indeed, the technology that these devices exploit has a long history of success in the telecommunications industry; particularly, during the past 35 years. Thus, optical fibers are a well-developed, high-bandwidth, low-loss transmission medium.
Furthermore, a conventional optical fiber consists of a central core (typical diameter of5 to 50 µm) surrounded by a slightly lower refractive index cladding. A coating is applied to the fiber to protect the surface from scratches; thus, this will weaken the fiber and buffer it from micro bending that would cause light to be lost.
For oilfield use, higher levels of fiber protection for temperature, chemical attack, and mechanical abrasion and crushing are required. Moreover, for pressure purposes, there are several ways in which an optical fiber can be turned into a pressure sensor.
Reception
In this sense, Scott Graeff, Luna Innovations CEO, said; “The formation of this alliance with Liberty is an important step in capturing a significant opportunity in the oil and gas market. ”
Moreover, “fiber-optic sensing technology provides operators the ability to gather key data while improving their overall asset economics. We are excited to work with our partners and customers to deliver this cutting-edge technology.”
Similarly, James Pollard, managing director of OptaSense, a Luna company, said; In fact, “the ability to optimize the frac design based on reservoir and production response will deliver considerable value. Thus, OptaSense’s fiber-optic measurements, delivering real-time data and visualization; particularly, along with Liberty’s hydraulic fracturing stimulation and completion design expertise, will help operators maximize resource recovery in their reservoirs.”
