Great ideas in the pipeline – How Petrobras is making the most of the Epsilon Wells
Developed by Malvern Panalytical, the Epsilon Wells is an on-asset monitoring solution that helps customers tackle production chemistry and flow assurance challenges. Our solution provides critical production chemistry and flow assurance in real time.
Brazil’s leading energy company, Petrobras, has been using the solution to support its offshore oil projects in the Santos Basin (UN-BS). The UN-BS Topside Scaling Prevention team led by Saul Simoes uses the Epsilon 1 Wells for water composition and scale composition assessment processes, among other applications.
We sat down with colleagues José Mateus Neto to see how they’ve experienced the switch to Epsilon 1 Wells, and how they plan to expand the use of the solution in the future.
What led your team to the Epsilon Wells?
Saul: A few years ago, we began sharing some of our production units in the Santos Basin with other energy firms. As part of our collaboration, we regularly share insights and discuss the technical improvements that we’re making to our production chemistry processes.
During one workshop with Shell, we saw an XRF-system used on oil rigs – the Epsilon 1 Wells. We quickly saw the potential to use the equipment on site at our production units. Together with Shell, we got in touch with Malvern Panalytical, and the rest is history!
What’s changed since you’ve begun using the solution?
Saul: Previously, analyzing water samples meant collecting samples and then having to return to shore to perform the analysis using ICP. Usually, it would take between one and three months to get a single result. That’s an eternity in the energy business – we need fast results to in order make decisions and justify the investments we’re making.
Since we’ve started using the Epsilon 1 Wells, we’ve been able to conduct all-important composition assessments on site, at the unit itself, without needing to return to shore. It’s been a huge step up in our ability to analyze scale compositions and other assessments.
The equipment is mobile, of course, but we’re considering investing in a dedicated device that can remain in place for several months. This would allow us to continuously gather results all day long – and give us a huge amount of fresh data to use in our modeling.
How easy has it been for your colleagues to start using the equipment from scratch?
José: It’s quite easy for someone to start using Epsilon 1 Wells for a standard analysis. In some cases, however, we need to adapt the equipment to our specific requirements.
Often, it’s about calibrating the machine to perform shorter analyses. For some composition assessments we do, for example, we need to minimize the analysis time, because the sample will begin to precipitate after about 10 minutes, which can influence the result. Nowadays, we can solve this quite easily using acids, but if we can get a result in under 10 minutes, then we can reduce our need for those chemicals.
An intermediate or experienced user is usually needed to calibrate the equipment in this way. Fortunately, we’re able to reach out to the Malvern Panalytical team in Brazil at any time for any expertise and assistance we need.
How has using Epsilon 1 Wells helped Petrobras from a cost-saving perspective?
Saul: It’s difficult to give an exact figure, but as a ballpark, we’ve seen a direct return worth about 10 or 20 times our original investment. Much of this has been through being able to optimize our scale inhibitor usages . This has allowed us to significantly reduce our input costs – namely, the amount we spend on chemicals on a daily basis at our units.
However, the real added value for us lies in minimizing production losses. Ultimately, we’re talking about losing oil output, and sales. If you factor in those potential losses, the return is perhaps worth closer to a thousand times our investment in the equipment!
What else is in the pipeline?
Vitor: We’re exploring how we can use the Epsilon 1 Wells for other purposes besides water and scale composition. These include oil and solid compositions, together with other applications where it would be useful to be able to perform assessments on site.
Our research center is also taking a close look at the solution: they are interested in seeing how the Epsilon 1 Wells could be used to develop technologies in our laboratories that could become a product that can be used at our units. There are so many possibilities – we’re approaching everything with an open mind!
To find out more about the Epsilon 1 Wells, please click here or contact us.
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