Pilot Technologies

Schlumberger reservoir engineers screen techniques to recommend the best solution for a field, propose and design a pilot project for proof of concept and provide injection, production and surveillance facilities and operation know-how for our customers. We can apply our global knowledge or EOR pilots to new areas of interest to accelerate operator’s projects.

Pilot projects allow the ability to act quickly, by starting small, and to gain confidence and then expand over time as results and cashflow allow. This type of modular approach is a significant factor in reducing the levels of operating risk for each project: moving towards large scale developments facilitates growth of experience and knowledge before major financial commitments need to be made. Schlumberger offers an innovative approach to pilot projects to further reduce the time to first oil—for example, a typical pilot can take anywhere from 5 to 10 years; Multiple MiniPilot Cells (comprising intelligent wells strategically positioned across the reservoir) can significantly reduce this time.

Multiple MiniPilot Cells

Our strategy is to use key technologies to create an initial model and optimized well design to create short spacing well patterns to optimize steam distribution over the reservoir. This is followed with a modular infrastructure to generate steam, and multi-well high resolution measurements to provide early production performance indicators and allow development decisions to be taken using the best available information.

• Reservoir Simulation 
  A variety of simulation options ensure accurate prediction in EOR and thermal activities. Multi-segmented well models enable better understanding and, ultimately, control of steam distribution and efficiency.
• Construction 
  Heavy oil drilling and well construction needs should be considered in relation to transport and facilities infrastructure requirements to ensure success.
• Caprock Integrity 
  Understanding the potential for changes in the geomechanics of the cap, bed, and reservoir rock for appropriate well engineering, and surface facilities design.
• Flow Assurance 
  Assessing the flow assurance of your reservoir and facilities over the long term contributes to the successful engineering and production design of a heavy oil project.
• Distributed-Temperature Sensors (DTS) 
  Fiber-based temperature measurements enable operators to understand steam conformance. This information can be used to adjust steam rates from nearby injection wells using sliding sleeves or other forms of injection control.