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Unique Technology for Innovative Continuous Reservoir Monitoring

Hydrotell gauges installed in wells will continuously measure the difference in pressure between the hydrocarbon phase and water. This information can be used to optimize infill drilling programs and to make better decisions regarding well operations and future development.
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Hydrotell gauges installed in wells will continuously measure the difference in pressure between the hydrocarbon phase and water. This information can be used to better plan in-fill drilling programs, and to make better decisions regarding the operations and future developments of wells.

Hydrotell was founded in 2020, and is a subsidiary of Hydrophilic AS.

The company focuses on developing tools and services for hydrocarbon-producing fields. The Hydrotell technology will enable a unique, advanced level of continuous reservoir monitoring.
Hydrotell gauges installed in wells will continuously measure the pressure difference between the hydrocarbon phase and water, providing valuable data on the distance to the FWL (free-water level) as a function of time. This information supports better planning of infill drilling programs or to determine if a section of a specific well should be choked back before water breaks through.

When a well is shut in, the gauges can monitor the buildup of the oil column. The patented technology estimates the distance to the FWL by measuring the water pressure in the microscopic water film present in reservoir rock.

Background

Our vision is to see reservoir engineers equipped with perfect information.
By reducing uncertainty, better decisions can be made faster, costs go down, and the environment is spared.

In existing reservoirs, the oil-water contact (OWC) level constantly shifts as the field develops and its location over time often remains uncertain. By tracking the pressure in both the water and oil phases over time, it becomes possible to determine the distance to the OWC. Pressure measurements from production wells typically reflect the highest pressure, corresponding to the oil phase. However, the pressure in the water phase remains undetermined.

The objective of this project is to develop a tool capable of measuring the pressure in the thin water film present in the oil phase and, based on this data, monitoring the distance to the free-water level.
An in-situ water pressure measurement device is being developed, alongside a data analysis methodology that integrates available well data with analytical solutions and numerical simulations. These efforts form the core focus of this ongoing project.

This entirely new method of measuring water pressure and understanding its behavior can be used to better plan infill drilling program or determine if a section of a specific well should be choked back before water breaks through.

The Hydrotell technology

Identify new infill drilling targets

Reduce production from
wells near the OWC

Optimize oil production from a wellbore by actively controlling production across different sections of the wellbore

Current status

We have proven the concept
of measuring the water pressure of the thin water film in pre-drained core samples (DEMO2000).

We are now taking the next step in developing a new measurement concept to continuously monitor water pressure in producing wells, enabling the tracking of OWC level movements. Pre-studies conducted at Sele and Sola Beach in Stavanger have confirmed pressure readings in the water phase above sea level. Tide waves were detected, and a distinct time delay between two sensors was observed.

In collaboration with NORCE, we performed laboratory experiments on Berea sandstone and Mons chalk core samples. The results from these experiments provide valuable insights into the key mechanisms driving hydrophilic probe responses and help to upscale these findings to the reservoir scale (Shiran et al., 2023, "Continuous monitoring of Water Pressure Change in an Oil Reservoir", SPE EuropEC, Vienna, Austria, 2023, https://doi.org/10.2118/214370-MS).
The Hydrotell project has been granted “Kommersialiseringstilskudd fase 1» funding from Innovasjon Norge

Value estimates

We are now taking the next step in developing a new measurement concept to continuously monitor water pressure in producing wells, enabling the tracking of OWC level movements.
One well costs
in average
250 mill NOK
Implementing our technology can reduce the
amount of new wells by 10%
180 development
wells every year
(NPD)
> 10% reduction of new wells
> 18 wells reduced
> 4500 mill NOK

Say hello to
Alexandra Zaputlyaeva,
our new CEO

With a PhD in Geology from the University of Oslo and diverse experience in the energy and IT industries, Alexandra brings a unique blend of academic expertise and business acumen to the team. Her career highlights include roles as Business Development Manager at ROGII Inc., Geoscientist at Lukoil, and various positions at Total, Faroe Petroleum, and EAGE Stavanger. Alexandra is excited to lead the Hydrotell project, leveraging her diverse background to drive innovation and success.
Contact Alexandra

Board of Directors

Trond Rolfsvåg
Chair
Hydrophillic
Solveig Riisøen
Member
Hydrotell
Torger Skillingstad
Member
Former CEO and CTO at Resman AS

Partners & Sponsors

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