Technology

The wireless steam trap monitoring device. (Image source: Yokogawa)

Yokogawa Electric Corporation has launched a new ATEX-compliant wireless steam trap monitoring device for steam trap status monitoring in steam piping equipment

Developed with thermal utility engineering firm Armstrong International, the new product is part of Yokogawa's Sushi Sensor range in the OpreX Asset Management and Integrity family.

Steam traps are installed on steam distribution pipes, heat exchangers, humidifiers, sterilisers, tracers, and other equipment to remove condensate and ensure efficient heat transfer. Losses from failures in steam traps can reach tens of thousands to millions of US dollars annually. Currently, in most instances, workers are responsible for inspecting and monitoring steam traps wherever they have been installed. While the installation of an automatic monitoring system is an effective way to reduce this inspection workload, the cost of installing such systems has been cost prohibitive. In addition, there is the need to monitor not only the status of steam traps, but also a wide range of related equipment.

By facilitating the timely detection of failures in steam traps, the new product can significantly reduce energy loss. When used in combination with the other wireless pressure sensors, wireless temperature sensors, and wireless vibration sensors in the Sushi Sensor lineup, this device enables the monitoring of a wide range of equipment. Features include:

1. Automatic detection of steam trap status

This device utilises a high-quality temperature sensor and an acoustic sensor to detect the status of steam traps. It can be used in environments with a maximum steam temperature of 440°C.

2. Lower wireless network construction costs

The use of long-range wireless LoRaWAN communication gives this device the ability to communicate at distances of up to around 1km, enabling the monitoring of equipment over a wide area. These monitoring devices can thus be easily installed wherever steam traps are located, and can be connected to a single gateway, thereby holding down network construction costs.

3. Better consistency in inspection quality and less time spent on on-site inspections

The use of Yokogawa’s on-premise GA10 data logging software or other similar cloud-based software will enable the centralised monitoring of steam traps and other equipment wherever they are installed around a plant. Not only will this make for greater consistency in inspection quality, it will mean that on-site inspections do not need to be carried out as frequently.

Hiroshi Tanoguchi, a Yokogawa Electric vice president and executive officer, and head of the Yokogawa Products Headquarters, said, “With this release, we have enriched the Sushi Sensor family of solutions and made it possible to construct networks efficiently and at a lower cost. In the future, we intend to provide this as an energy monitoring solution. Based on steam trap status, this will enable the calculation of projected energy losses in monetary terms and facilitate the creation of maintenance plans, with the priority on high-risk equipment. Through the provision of such highly convenient solutions, Yokogawa is helping its customers reduce their emissions of greenhouse gases and hit their ESG management targets.”

This new product is available in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Saudi Arabia. It will be later released in the USA, Europe, and India in compliance with IECEx, FM, and other explosion-protected standards.

Octiv Auto Frac enables the fully autonomous execution of fracture design. (Image source: Halliburton)

Halliburton has launched the Octiv Auto Frac service, the latest addition to the Octiv Intelligent Fracturing Platform, which enables the fully autonomous execution of fracture design 

As core acreage diminishes and fracture operations grow more complex, real-time insight over what is taking place down hole and at the surface has never been more important. The Octiv platform is an intelligent fracturing ecosystem that uses intelligent automation to optimise fracture operations, digitising and automating workflows, information, and equipment across all aspects of fracture operations.

Execution variability is ever-present during fracturing operations. Even when completion designs are planned to be constant, execution decisions are made frequently on every job site. This can lead to inconsistent fracture execution and inefficient operations. The Octiv Auto Frac service improves operational consistency, enhances completion performance and gives customers autonomous control of their frac fleet. It automates thousands of decisions while pumping, based on customer job designs and pre-job control inputs, with constant response to dynamic stimulation conditions.

“The addition of Auto Frac to our existing Octiv platform enables customers to have fully autonomous execution of a frac job,” said Jeff Miller, Halliburton chairman, president and CEO.

“Combined with the ZEUS platform and the Sensori service, we provide consistency and remove variability from job execution to lower the total cost of ownership for customers. Halliburton’s frac automation technologies are the cornerstone of how we deliver well pad results with unmatched precision and efficiency. As our customers execute completions with ever-increasing size and intensity, Auto Frac provides better control and consistent completion execution.”

The ClearTrac tractor. (Image source: Halliburton)

Halliburton has launched the Clear portfolio of electromechanical well intervention technologies and services

This portfolio addresses challenges related to high-angle deployment and includes surface readout telemetry for communication and precise control to deliver differentiated performance. It includes the ClearTrac wireline tractor and ClearCut non-dangerous goods electromechanical pipe cutters. ClearShift high-expansion shifters will also soon be introduced to open and close downhole valves that include barrier isolation devices.

The ClearTrac wireline tractor is an advanced wireline conveyance technology for highly deviated or horizontal wells that require cased-hole logging diagnostics, perforating, and powered mechanical intervention services. It uses an innovative electromechanical drive and real-time telemetry for communication and precise control to deliver unmatched performance compared to pipe-conveyed solutions. ClearTrac wireline tractor achieves speeds from 5 to 125 ft per minute and carries payloads up to 1,000 lbs. with a single-drive section. It provides an economical conveyance solution that acquires data in up-and-down passes. This increases efficiency and reduces the potential for HSE incidents.

The ClearCut service portfolio offers a family of pipe severing tools for a machine shop quality cut without dangerous goods from 2⅜ to 9⅝ in. ClearCut can be deployed on eline or RELAY Digital Slickline and navigate through small restrictions. It cuts outer tubing encapsulated cables in intelligent completions.

With the elimination of explosives and chemicals, ClearCut service provides a safer alternative for complex wireline interventions.

“Our Clear suite of services delivers integrated formation evaluation and intervention solutions to improve production,” said Chris Tevis, vice president of Wireline and Perforating. “Today's launch of our power mechanical services will enable our customers to intervene in their completions in a more reliable, precise and powerful way.”

The new solution will help SLB customers accelerate AI adoption. (Image source: SLB)

SLB is helping its customers to accelerate AI adoption at scale with the launch of the Lumi data and AI platform

Unveiled at the SLB Digital Forum in Monaco, the open, secure and modular platform integrates advanced artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities — including generative AI — with workflows across the energy value chain, unlocking access to high-quality data across subsurface, surface, planning and operations, increasing cross-domain collaboration and releasing new intelligence and insights to improve the quality and speed of decision making at enterprise-level.

Accelerating AI adoption

The latest large language models (LLMs) as well as industry-optimised domain foundation models from SLB will be embedded in the platform, enabling customers to accelerate AI adoption at scale.

The Lumi platform is built on the latest industry standards and will be available on all major cloud service providers as well as on-premises, enabling SLB’s customers to train and deploy industry-specific traditional and generative AI models, including foundational models for exploration and production (E&P) by SLB. This will fundamentally transform data-driven decision-making, operations automation and real-time optimisations across the entire energy value chain.

SLB’s Delfi digital platform will be enhanced by leveraging the data foundations and machine learning capabilities of the Lumi platform, facilitating more powerful and agile reservoir modeling, seismic and wellbore interpretation, directional drilling and geosteering workflows. It also will enable new capabilities for automation and operational efficiencies so energy customers can drive high-value, low-carbon operations.

The Lumi platform integrates technologies from leading technology partners with SLB’s digital and domain expertise to facilitate access to data and AI capabilities across the energy production cycle.
“AI is fundamentally altering the dynamics of our industry, but its transformational potential is hindered by the complexity of our industry’s data ecosystems,” said Rakesh Jaggi, president, Digital and Integration, SLB. “Through the Lumi data and AI platform, we will liberate and contextualise data for our global customers across domains – enabling them to scale advanced AI workflows and accelerate their ongoing digital transformation.”