BGP Testing
BGP Acknowledges G3i’s Performance During Tuha Oilfield Trials
Geophysical service providers rely heavily on equipment manufacturers such as INOVA for integrated solutions that can support the smallest 2D projects to the largest most complex 3D high productivity Vibroseis (HPVS) operations. BGP, a subsidiary of China National Petroleum Company and the world's largest land seismic contractor, continually seeks cutting-edge seismic technology to maintain their competitive edge for providing high quality data acquisition services. BGP's numerous seismic crews operate across the globe in all types of challenging terrains and extreme weather conditions, and require a stable, easy-to-use recording system that can perform in the toughest seismic programs.
| Segment | Land Seismic Acquisition |
|---|---|
| Region | Tuha Oilfield, China |
| Technologies | G3i Cable-based Acquisition System |
| Related Products | G3i® NXT |
The Challenge
Geophysical service providers rely heavily on equipment manufacturers such as INOVA for integrated solutions that can support the smallest 2D projects to the largest most complex 3D high productivity Vibroseis (HPVS) operations. BGP, a subsidiary of China National Petroleum Company and the world's largest land seismic contractor, continually seeks cutting-edge seismic technology to maintain their competitive edge for providing high quality data acquisition services. BGP's numerous seismic crews operate across the globe in all types of challenging terrains and extreme weather conditions, and require a stable, easy-to-use recording system that can perform in the toughest seismic programs.
Nearly two years ago INOVA Geophysical was formed with the vision of becoming the technology leader in the land seismic equipment market. The strong working relationship between BGP and INOVA combines operational excellence with technological innovations to develop the most advanced products to meet the growing demands of the seismic industry. In addition, BGP can evaluate INOVA's new equipment and conduct extensive field tests to make sure the products meet their highest standards of excellence before making an investment in new seismic systems.
In 2011, BGP Domestic agreed to test INOVA's new G3i cable-based acquisition system in the TurpanHami (Tuha) Basin, located in the eastern part of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in China. The Tuha Basin is the combination of the Turpan Depression and the Hami Depression that covers an area of over 53,000 km2 with estimated natural gas volumes of 266 billion m3 and oil volumes of 2.5 billion tons. BGP has been surveying the Tuha Oilfield for several years as part of China National Petroleum Corporation's (CNPC) key exploration programs. Because field operations were already in process in the region and their familiarity with the arid desert environment, BGP thought the oilfield was an ideal location to extensively test INOVA's G3i system.
The new G3i cable-based system successfully captured high quality seismic data using analog geophones.
The Solution
G3i is the toughest, most reliable cable-based recording system available on the market and offers seismic contractors the best choice when selecting equipment for completing their projects successfully. With its ruggedized ground electronics manufactured from high-strength polycarbonates, aircraft grade aluminum and stainless steel, G3i can easily operate in the harshest environments. Power-down-the-line technology eliminates the need for large quantities of batteries and provides seismic crews a significant reduction in the amount of ground equipment required. Utilizing fiber optic baselines, the system delivers over 100,000 channels in real-time. G3i's architecture consists of a single software platform supported on multiple central recording system options for optimal operational flexibility. The system's box-cablebox architecture allows operators to easily locate and resolve field faults. In the event of a Remote Acquisition Module (RAM), Fiber Tap Unit (FTU), or Power Supply Unit (PSU) failure, trained crew technicians with proper equipment can repair the unit. Furthermore, the integration of INOVA's Vib Pro source controllers and Connex Vib navigation system with G3i provides more flexibility and greater efficiency during HPVS operations. Advanced Vibroseis techniques have been widely accepted by energy companies for achieving densely sampled, high quality data acquisition more cost-effectively.
Crews monitored real-time data using G3i's intuitive software during the field tests.
The Results
BGP planned to deploy approximately 5,000 channels for administering two separate tests with the first one beginning in November 2011 and the second in February 2012. With a stringent test plan in place, and brand new G3i equipment, INOVA was well underway to start the joint field test program. Since BGP was unfamiliar with the G3i system, INOVA field service engineers provided on-site technical training to their field support technicians, observers, and field crews in order for BGP to properly execute the tests. Upon receiving the G3i system, BGP engineers completed floor commissioning of the equipment without issues in just a few days at their Zhuozhou facility and quickly mobilized the crew to begin field trials in the Tuha Oilfield.
By mid-November 2011 the system was fully deployed in the field. A complete set of monthly tests were run on all channels and geophones, and communication was established between the G3i system and BGP’s vibrators. With 501 stations on a 2D line, the crew acquired over 1,100 records using both dynamite and Vibroseis sources. After the 2D recording was finished, the crew moved onto 3D testing. Over 3,600 shots were recorded using the 3D spread that consisted of 20 lines of 195 active stations. During this phase of the testing, the crew also conducted tests on real-time receiver line channel capacities using several different sample rates. After successful completion of these tests, BGP picked up all line equipment, demobilized their personnel, processed the recorded data and made recommendations for G3i system enhancements, which are currently being implemented by INOVA.
In February 2012, INOVA released a G3i software update to support high productivity Vibroseis techniques and many of BGP's suggested enhancements. BGP crews returned to the Tuha Oilfield to conduct its next field test, focusing on HPVS methods. The tests included slip-sweep, 2 and 3 cluster DSSS™, and DSSS with slip-sweep (DSSSS) using the 5,000 channel G3i system, Vib Pro source controller, and Connex Vib navigation system. Five separate slip-sweep tests were undertaken ranging from 6 - 28 sec sweep times with 5 - 6 sec listen times and 5 - 10 sec slip times. Two cluster and three cluster DSSSand DSSSS operations of 12 sec sweep time, 5 sec listen time, and 10 - 12 sec slip time were tested using cluster distances from 10 - 25 km with dynamic fleet grouping capabilities.
“After witnessing INOVA’s next generation, cable-based acquisition technology during the 2D, 3D, and high productivity Vibroseis field testing in the Tuha Oilfield, I am truly impressed with the ruggedness and performance of the new G3i system. This high capacity, seismic recording equipment provides the quality and reliability we require to help us overcome our operational challenges so that we can complete projects more efficiently and with greater productivity.”
Lu Chunli Crew 2200 Party Crew Chief BGP
Active patches within the super-patch were separated and successfully correlated during slip-sweep tests. While performing aggressive slip-sweep with 28 sec sweep time, 5 sec listen time, and 5 sec slip time, the G3i central system effortlessly handled multiple overlapping shots without computing delays. In summary, BGP took over 22,000 VPs and achieved 100% efficiency levels during the HPVS tests since there were no delays in vibrator starts or file output between vibe starts.
This joint collaboration between INOVA and BGP culminated in the successful testing of the G3i system benefiting both companies. BGP was extremely pleased with the results of the field tests and acknowledged the superior performance of INOVA's G3i system. After completing the tests, BGP formally accepted G3i and immediately purchased 10,000 additional channels for their upcoming seismic projects in Western China later this year. Having INOVA's high-performance G3i acquisition system as part of their equipment portfolio offers BGP a substantial advantage in winning project bids from global oil and gas exploration companies.
