Downhole data collection equipment for safe CO₂ storage and more efficient drilling operations

Background
The project is to research, develop, and demonstrate if focused acoustic shockwaves can be applied within well technology to solve challenges with measurement of minimum horizontal stresses, which is an important data point in understanding pressure parameters in a rock formation, such as a caprock over a CO₂ storage

Goal
The goal of the project is to develop a shock wave system ‘qWave pulser’, which will generate a series of focused acoustic shockwaves to create a perforation into the formation by gradually breaking down rock, and measuring the minimum horizontal stress. Furthermore, that the technology is tested in the lab, at a full-scale onshore test center, and a demonstration in a well in the North Sea.

Activities
The project was to complete a prototype of the technology, perform a System Integration Test (SIT) of the prototype in Stavanger, and demonstrate the prototype in an offshore well.

Results
A prototype was completed after some delays. The prototype is a complex assembly of mechanical parts, hydraulics, high voltage, electronics, software, telecommunications, pumps, motors, and devices for generating focused shock waves. Although individual components and systems were tested in the lab and approved, there are limitations to how much can be simulated and tested in a lab. The tests at a full-scale test center therefore provided a lot of learning, as they enabled testing of the entire system in a well in fluid under pressure. This learning led to further improvements to the prototype before it was further tested at the test center and in an operational well in the North Sea. Although the results are positive in many areas and the technology looks promising, this project has not answered all the questions.

Further Work
Based on the learnings and new knowledge from the demonstration, the prototype will be further improved and prepared for a new field test in the North Sea. More offshore tests will be required before the effect of acoustic shock waves in measuring minimum horizontal stress is fully understood.