OTC 2016: Schlumberger premieres automated reservoir analysis technique
Offshore staff
HOUSTON – At OTC, Schlumberger has introduced Maze microfluidic SARA analysis for reservoir fluids characterization, said to be the industry’s first commercial application of microfluidic analysis technology.
The system fully automates the process of testing oil samples for saturates, aromatics, resins and asphaltenes (SARA), coupling microfluidic technology with spectroscopy.
It eliminates human subjectivity, Schlumberger claims, enabling precise SARA measurements, while decreasing turnaround time and use of chemicals by more than 85%.
Amir Nessim, president, Testing Services, Schlumberger, said: “Conventional SARA analysis requires extensive time and laboratory resources, and reproducibility has been a constant challenge.
“We are now able to provide our customers a sustainable method for SARA analysis that is highly accurate and efficient.”
Applications include validation of oil samples prior to PVT analysis, understanding physical and refining properties, assessing crude oil value, and supporting flow assurance and geochemical studies.
To date Schlumberger has completed more than 1,900 asphaltenes analyses using the microfluidic chip technology and 300 SARA analyses across its global network of research centers and reservoir laboratories.
05/03/2016
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