Piloting novel sensor nodes to accurately monitor shallow injection wells

ANDEFJORD, Norway, June 6, 2011 - Sensor Developments will install the first LinX Online system at the Statoil operated Grane platform in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea. Two sensor nodes will be installed in an injection well for drill-cuttings, measuring pressure and temperature in the annulus and outside the casing in contact with the formation. The sensors will be positioned to monitor critical parameters in the injection zone as well as the long-term changes of the pore pressure of the overlaying cap-rock. Mobilization of equipment is expected in mid June 2011. The installation is a pilot for the consortium on Measurement of Pore Pressure in Shale (MESPOSH). Established in 2005, the MESPOSH consortium combines the strong expertise from the five participating partners: Sensor Development, Shell, Statoil, DONG E&P and the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute. The objective of the collaborative project is to develop in-well instrumentation for long-term monitoring of the pore pressure in shale formations. For Statoil operating the Grane field this novel approach of monitoring shallow injectors, aims to enhance the understanding of reservoir and wellbore integrity for injection wells in general. “It is always exciting when new technology goes through the rotary table for the first time” says Kjetil Borgersen, Sensor Developments’ President and CEO. “Together with our partners and the Grane team, we are making a bit of history by installing in-situ sensors with the LinX approach. We are looking forward to proving the technology and the added value of accurate data measurement in direct contact with the formation. This will have wider applicability, because, what is happening outside the casing, significantly influences integrity as well as productivity and recovery”. Photo by: Sensor Developments