American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016 - 103

Production Technology
tomers can determine well performance,
look for patterns and causes of potential
failures, and ultimately avoid downtime
while reducing costs," he remarks.
Gamboa goes on to say the whole initiative, and the visualization software
specifically, allows customers "to look remotely at all the variables present down
hole" that would optimize flow and reduce
operating costs.
"The ConnectedProduction also helps
make the well site safer for personnel by
providing enhanced remote monitoring capabilities, thus decreasing or avoiding
the need to be present in the field," Gamboa suggests. "Using the ConnectedProduction technologies and solutions enables
customers to improve production, reduce
downtime, and contain costs across their
oil and gas fields."
Rod Pump Features
Wells with sucker-rod pump systems
soon could have the opportunity to use
Unico Inc.'s new Pump Clean™ software
algorithm to free stuck valves with minimal expense or downtime involved, says
Ron Peterson, Unico's engineering manager for oil and gas software.
Peterson says the mode is an established feature on Unico's linear rod pump
(LRP®) system, although he says the
company plans to work with Schlumberger to test whether the feature can be incorporated into conventional rod pump units.
Peterson notes that rod pumps occasionally encounter solid particles of debris,
which can get stuck inside the pump and
cause a malfunction.
"Occasionally, the debris will dislodge
or clear as a result of normal operation,
with no intervention required," he remarks. "Other times, it is necessary to flush
the pump, or possibly even pull the pump.
Some operators 'bump down,' or drop the
pump and rod string a short distance in an
attempt to dislodge the debris through the
shock of the pump plunger striking bottom."
He says Pump Clean works by vibrating the pump at strategic frequencies for
approximately two minutes to dislodge debris. This is accomplished entirely with
software and does not require any additional hardware or equipment.
Peterson says the mode can be switched
on automatically at the drive keypad, or remotely by using telemetry. The Unico
GMC® remote telemetry system provides

operational and diagnostic reports and
alarms to a browser or smart device, he
adds.
The technology is proving very effective in a range of oil and gas applications,
including in shaking coal particles loose
in coalbed methane wells.
"If the debris doesn't shake loose naturally or with Pump Clean, it can be very
costly and ineffective to service the well,"
Peterson says. "The system's cycle is
easy and quick, with no additional hardware. Customers can set it to run automatically, or turn it on remotely, and they
should see results immediately. It provides
a simple, cost-effective solution to a frequent and costly problem."

Pump Clean™ software is a new feature
on Unico Inc.'s linear rod pump (LRP®)
system, and frees stuck valves with minimal expense or downtime. Pump Clean
is an algorithm that works by vibrating
the pump at strategic frequencies for
approximately two minutes to dislodge
debris.

Fiber Optic Connectors
Operators and contractors are seeing
more and more automated operations at
production and drilling sites that allow for
real-time decision making and reduced
drilling and operational cost. Optical Cable Corporation works with engineers
from drilling and production companies to
help design an end-to-end fiber solution for
these networks.
OCC Oil & Gas Business Development
Specialist Phillip Hoyle says the company is seeing an increasing demand for fiber
optic connectivity in explosive environments that meets the safety requirement for
ATEX (Atmosphères Explosibles) Zone 1
and 21, which are based on directives from
the European Union, as well as IECEx (International Electrotechnical Commission
Explosive Scheme certification) standards.
Because of this demand, Hoyle confirms, in April, OCC will be releasing its
ATEX/IECEx rated COTS-M83526™
and EZ-MATE™ receptacles to provide
fiber optic connectivity in Zone 1 and 21
hazardous locations.
According to Hoyle, both the COTS
and EZ-Mate versions will have two shell
sizes, and will allow up to 12 and 24 fiber
connections, respectively. Either receptacle can be mounted to an ATEX/IECExrated enclosure, and will allow for multiple easy connect and disconnect deployments, which Hoyle says will reduce
tear-down time on a rig. The ATEX/IECEx
receptacle is ideal for onshore and offshore
production sites as well as petrochemical
facilities, he adds.
Both COTS and EZ-MATE are offered
in three materials: black anodized plating,
stainless steel, and brass. Hoyle specifies
that the black anodized plating is less expensive and would be ideal for onshore,
while the brass and stainless steel options
would be better suited for the offshore, as
they would be more resistant to oil and salt
spray.
OCC manufactures cable specifically
designed for these harsh environments.
These cables contain military grade fiber,
which can be bronze braided for extra protection and can include flame-retardant or
low-smoke, zero-halogen jackets.
"Ultimately, these connectors are sold
as part of a fiber cable assembly for an endto-end solution," Hoyle describes.
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American Oil and Gas Reporter - January 2016

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