DOTS - Field proven technology

The first full-scale offshore DOTS pilot was conducted at the Snorre B platform on the Norwegian continental shelf in May 2008. Drill pipes were equipped with RFID tags, and a well centre reader system was installed on the drilling rig. The Trac server communicated with the Schlumberger Interact server by use of the WITSML protocol, generated an automatic pipe tally, and presented the tally offshore and onshore through internet.

The DOTS installation had minimal influence on the drilling operation, and had 100% up-time. The system test was running for one month through 7 bit runs, and the tag qualification programme has been running successfully offshore for 1 ½ year. All passages of drill pipes were read in the well centre reader system, and no tags have failed during this period.

An “Automated Drilling Pilot” was running at the Statfjord C platform in the Norwegian continental shelf for 4 months in early 2009. StatoilHydro managed the pilot project, integrating 3 independent systems.

• DOTS – Trac ID Systems
• DRILLTRONICS – IRIS / National Oilwell Varco
• CMPF – Geo Services

The DOTS system produced an automatic drill pipe tally that was used in the DRILLTRONICS system for automation purpose. A drill string was equipped with RFID tags, and a well centre reader system was installed on the drilling rig. The Trac server communicated with the National Oilwell WITSML server, and generated an automatic pipe tally that was sent to the DRILLTRONICS drilling control system.

The installation had minimal influence on the drilling operation, and the DOTS system had near 100% up-time. The system test was running for 4 months through several well sections. The system had excellent regularity in automatic tally generation and no reported tag failures.

The downhole RFID tags used by Trac ID Systems for tagging of drill pipe and other downhole equipment has been used by Independent Oil Tools (IOT) to track their rental equipment for over 10 years. IOT is a wholly owned subsidiary of Petrolia Services AS, which again is a wholly owned subsidiary of Petrolia Drilling ASA, listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange under Ticker PDR.

IOT has currently tagged approx. 8000 assets (drill pipe and other downhole equipment) which are in continues use in different operations across the world. During the years, the tags have shown very good resistance and operational stability to downhole exposure with a survival rate of the tags close to 100%.