CaTS™ technology for wireless reservoir monitoring and control
Delivering value throughout the well lifecycle
A world's first
Pioneering technology through innovation
Expro’s CaTS™ technology has successfully delivered the world’s first electromagnetic wireless transmission of reservoir pressure data to surface, from a recently abandoned subsea appraisal well, through a rock-to-rock cement plug.
Resulting from over 20 years of research and development activity and based on electromagnetic (EM) data communications technology, the CaTS™ system transmits low frequency EM signals from downhole to surface, or surface to downhole, using the well’s tubing or casing as the transmission medium. The system can be retrofitted into existing wells using either wireline or coil tubing, or alternatively, may be completion deployed. CaTS transmits high-quality pressure and temperature information and has gained broad industry acceptance as a cost-effective, high value solution to many of the long-standing problems of acquiring downhole data.The retrofit instrumentation of the existing well stock provides a real-time data to desk capability that enables the reservoir engineer to proactively manage the reservoir effectively whilst also optimizing production. Having access to real-time data also enables the early diagnosis of well production or integrity issues thus allowing remedial action to be taken promptly.The addition of duplex functionality to CaTS means that it can receive as well as transmit data. This means that the telemetry can also be used for downhole control applications. The ability to communicate with and control downhole hardware without the need for a cable or control line is a significant enabling component of retrofit flow control and offers real value in minimizing the number of control lines and penetrations typically required for today’s advanced completions.Key features:
Uses standard completion hardware
Extended periods of in well operation up to 36 months are achievable
Retrofit capability using wireline or coiled tubing, retrievable for battery replacement
Multi-drop, multi-sensor, addressable in well
Provides real-time BHP/BHT data to desk
Readily deployed in complex well architectures – long-reach horizontal wells, abandoned subsea wells or zones, behind screens etc
Signal transmission is unaffected by the presence of cement or bridge plugs
Does not require a tubing string in the well to communicate along
A completion-deployed CaTS mandrel variant enables full-bore well access and maximum flow rates to be achieved