OptaSense and Shell install world’s first permanent DAS production flow monitoring system

DAS-Flow system provides real time flow measurements on-demand

Farnborough, 5, September 2014: OptaSense, part of the QinetiQ Group, is pleased to announce that its on-going relationship with Shell International Exploration & Production B.V. has resulted in delivery of the world’s first permanent fibre-optic Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) in-well production flow monitoring system, in North America

The production flow monitoring system continuously monitors a well through on-demand measurements of flow along the entire well bore.  The DAS-Flow™ project marks the latest milestone in a product development agreement signed between the companies in 2009.

The DAS-Flow™ system has now been in service for three months after being developed by the OptaSense and Shell teams. Flow reports are sent through a secure network system allowing the asset team to gain a better understanding of well flow performance with no requirement for potentially costly well intervention activity.

Magnus McEwen-King, managing director of OptaSense, commented: “We have enjoyed a successful working relationship with Shell over several years; the creation and now installation of the world’s first permanent fibre-optic DAS production flow monitoring system is a significant step forward for the industry. The DAS-Flow™ system provides our customers with on demand well bore flow measurements which provide operators a real time view that can be used to optimise oil & gas production. There is a high potential optimization value to be realized within the industry with the advent of more detailed flow information across individual well production and injection zones.

“OptaSense is the global leader in DAS technology including hardware performance, software and data interpretation. With commercial services available in hydraulic fracture profiling, production flow monitoring and vertical seismic profiling (VSP), OptaSense is transforming the ability to understand in real-time what is happening along the well bore.”