Downhole imaging system identifies never-before-seen wellbore defects
Approved for funding in ERA’s Methane Challenge in 2017, DarkVision developed and trialed its ultrasound imaging tool in eighteen oil and gas wells across Alberta. By its completion in 2020, the project successfully commercialized and proved the tool could detect well integrity issues that enable remediation.
DarkVision developed an ultrasound-based downhole imaging technology that allows operators to see inside oil and gas wells and image critical components. This technology can find small, critical problems, otherwise undetectable, that create well integrity issues which produce methane leaks, casing connection problems, cracks, erosion, corrosion, and cement channeling. The high-resolution system creates a 3D scan of wellbore components and can be used for producing and abandoned wells to identify the root cause of leakage.
The technology reduces emissions by providing oil and gas operators a clear visual picture of the downhole well integrity problems that create production issues and methane leaks, which in turn enables producers to plan and execute remedial efforts. Images collected by the ultrasound imaging tool give operators a better understanding of the downhole well condition. Gas migration and emissions from Surface Casing Vent Flows can also be identified and avoided. Further, the technology can identify potential problem areas that pose high probability of leaking in the future.
Proven success at finding well integrity defects, enabling emissions reductions
The project trialed and developed several iterations of DarkVision’s ultrasound imaging tool in eighteen oil and gas wells across Alberta and has successfully commercialized the technology. Many users that trialed early iterations of the tool are now repeat customers. The performance of the technology funded by the project is excellent and identified erosion, corrosion, leaks, plug damage and other small yet critical problems. DarkVision is finding defects and customers are taking action on those defects, therefore improving environmental performance of the oil and gas industry.
What’s next?
DarkVision successfully scaled their technology, reaching fully commercial status, and was acquired by Koch Industries based in the US, who will further support commercial viability and future uptake/use of the tool. This acquisition enables geographic scaling of the downhole service and continued development of this and other downhole products as well as expanding into other market verticals.