OptaSense, a QinetiQ company, has announced the signing of a Global Commercialisation and Framework Agreement with Shell. The agreement sets out the basis on which Shell businesses can contract with OptaSense directly to use its unique Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) system. The initial service to be provided under the agreement is a commercial hydraulic fracture monitoring service.
The OptaSense Distributed Acoustic Sensing system is providing a new window on in-well treatments. The hydraulic fracture monitoring service provides real-time monitoring of fracture fluid injection locations and provides an estimate of the volume of water and proppant uptake at these locations. With real-time monitoring of the operation at the treatment zone, operators are able to optimise the hydraulic fracturing process in a safe, reliable and repeatable way.
Commercial services have now commenced in the United States and Canada with hydraulic fracture monitoring underway in tight sands and shale gas wells. These services are expected to be extended into new territories in the near future.
The hydraulic fracture monitoring services were developed in collaboration with Shell as part of the global research and development agreement announced in 2010.
OptaSense Managing Director, Magnus McEwen-King said,
“This Global Commercialisation Framework Agreement allows us to work with Shell around the world and is a positive step forward for our business as we look to expand both our international reach and commercial service offerings. It will also mean that we can continue to invest in jobs, having already created 100 new jobs in the last 12 months.”
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www.qinetiq.com
www.optasense.com
