HIGH-ACCURACY MULTIPHASE WELL TESTING VX TECHNOLOGY EXTENDED
28 September 2004 - Schlumberger

Through the innovation of a new interpretation model, jointly developed by Schlumberger and Framo Engineering, the industry-recognized Vx technology brings the benefits of multiphase well testing, such as operational safety, improved accuracy and lower operating costs, to all phases of gas and gas-condensate field development. Vx technology is deployed via two service and product offerings: PhaseTester for mobile well testing and PhaseWatcher for permanent installations.

'Schlumberger provided the PhaseTester Vx meter equipped with the wet gas module to test a well for us in Algeria,' said Steve Beardsall, completion and testing supervisor, First Calgary Petroleum (FCP). 'The gas and condensate flow rates recorded on location by the Vx meter were of high quality and in good agreement with the test separator data, and the low pressure loss through the Vx meter was beneficial in preventing the flashing of condensate, which makes me believe the Vx results are even more accurate than the separator.'

The ability to operate in two modes pioneers the concept of a single meter able to measure both oil and gas well production multiphase. Switching between oil and gas measurement is achieved through normal communication lines to the system's flow computer, and requires no intervention or hardware reconfiguration.

'This capability is crucial in many applications where both oil and gas wells are produced or where the production character changes over time,' said Saad Bargach, president, Well Completions & Productivity, Schlumberger Oilfield Services. 'This is especially true of subsea monitoring, where facilities design is particularly sensitive to intervention requirements.'

Ole Steine, managing director, Framo Engineering AS, said, 'This new development extends the industry's capability to optimize production from subsea developments. Flow measurements are critical to the understanding of reservoir and well behavior and will be necessary to optimize the control of subsea-processing equipment such as our unique multiphase pumps and wet-gas compressors.'

In 2004, Vx technology received the prestigious Performed by Schlumberger Chairman's Award. Performed by Schlumberger is an internal Schlumberger program that recognizes performance excellence through teamwork, innovation and value creation. For more information about Vx technology, please visit www.oilfield.slb.com/vx/

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