Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Tracermax technology?
A: Tracermax technology can be used to determine sub-surface zone location by tagging selected intervals of fluid displacements with Tracermax tracer compounds as follows:
1. The presence of light weight cement slurries (<1500 kg / m3) behind well casing.
2. The height of cement “squeezes” for remedial intervention .
3. The placement of fluids used for hydraulic fracturing operations .
4. Production logging .
5. Tagging downhole jewlery such as float shoes, collars, etc.
Q: What is the Tracermax advantage?
Tracermax technology is advantageous from the following perspectives:
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The well log data obtained is by far superior to any other technology. Tracermax technology uses descending neutron countrate to determine tagged intervals using downhole geophysical measurement systems or logging tools. The difference between baseline reference and post fracturing values detected by conventional neutron detectors does not rely on sensitive calibration procedures for the logging tool to make precision measurements. Neutron detectors are not adversely affected, particularly, in typical high temperature and pressure downhole environments. These environments adversely affect the performance of gamma scintillation detectors. Calibration of the neutron logging tool is not necessary in this application. The use of multi-spectral gamma ray logging tools rely both on the performance of photomultiplier/gamma scintillation detector components, that are; in particular, adversely affected by high temperature, downhole environments and sensitive linear calibrations to discriminate energy windows synonymous with the current use of radioactive tracers. Deviation to linear calibrations of multi-spectral gamma measurement systems with small spectrum shifts can occur and fluid displacements tagged with radioactive tracers can be missed by logging procedures as a result
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The use of the Tracermax CB4 tracer compound poses zero risk from an HSE perspective. This includes the contamination and exposure of people, equipment and the environment.
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The use of the CB4 tracer compound does not require any special licensing. Federal radiation licensing is required to use neutron sources for well logging.
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There are no radioactive or chemically hazardous materials in surface injection procedures or well flow back production.
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The use of the CB4 tracer compound will not screen out Naturally Occurring Nuclear Substances (NONS). . This information is corrupted in fracture tracing operations that involve the use of radioactive tracer chemicals.
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The use of the CB4 tracer compound can identify the post movement of tagged fracturing fluids. The abundance of Boron in the tagged fracturing fluids is adequate enough to reactivate many times, and the fractured zones of a well that have been tagged with CB4 can be re-logged years later, or as required.
A: Tracing Cement
The patented “S” signature on log data can be used to definitively prove the presence of light weight cement (<1500 kg/m3) behind well casing without the need for a baseline reference log. Current acoustics technology is not definitive in this application.
Tracermax technology can be used in conjunction with a specialized logging tool that shows 360˚radial profiling of annular cement. Wells can be logged immediately without allowing for cements to cure. This gives lead time for the intervention of problem intervals prior to cement setting times.
Tracermax technology is most beneficial in offshore applications, where the risk for the dispersal of hydrocarbon based well bore fluids into sensitive ecological environments is high and the presence of cement for well bore containment integrity is required.
A: Tracing Hydraulic Fracturing
Operations
The addition of the Boron Carbide (CB4) tracer
compound will not contaminate equipment or cause detrimental
exposures to personnel. Log data resolution is enhanced for
precision measurements
data of a well that had a triple stage hydraulic
fracturing operation performed. Selected intervals of fracturing
fluids displacement were tagged with Tracermax tracer compound.The triple stage fracturing operation consisted of a total fluid displacement of 430 m3 with 53 m3 of silica proppant and particle sizing ranging from - 30M to - 170M. The fluid propellant was a 3% KCl slick water.
The well was logged with a neutron tool, containing 222 GBq. (6 Ci.) of 241Am/Be as a special form sealed source encapsulation. The log shows Neutron-Neutron (N-N) energy response data. The tagged intervals show a significant decrease in count rates over those measured in the baseline reference log.
Stage 2 of the fracturing fluid displacement is shown as Yellow. By alternating the tagged intervals, it is possible to identify the “no tag” or middle stage using a single tracer.
A small region of interest shows a marked (red) increase in gamma activity. This is the result of a deposition of a shale containing Naturally Occurring Nuclear Substances (NONS) due to formation erosion from fracturing operations.
Tracermax technology is a major breakthrough in the field of “Rock Mechanics” with respect to superior information that can be used to support theoretical calculations. The technology proves fracturing height and propagation for enhanced three dimensional fracture modeling,
Tracermax injection profiles are custom designed for each tagging application. By partitioning segments of stages within a multistage fracturing operation and injecting the tracer compound as a slug or bolus, it is possible to determine the fracture width of the selected interval using comparison calculations from volumetric displacement values against log data.
A: Production Logging
Tracermax technology can be used in production logging for determination of well bore fluid flow rates with respect to casing integrity using hydraulic isolation techniques. The use of Tracermax aqueous Borated compounds can be synthesized in water soluble; or, as complex hydrocarbons in oil miscible or gas tracer forms. The tracers are designed to match well bore parameters with respect to specific gravity of the selected well bore fluid. This guarantees the uniform movement of the tracer with the tagged fluid.
Tracermax technology eliminates the current use of radioactive Iodine-131 tracers in this application. Radioiodine compounds have an extremely high radiotoxicity and the exposure risk to personnel and the environment from a burden perspective is great. Tracermax technology is not hazardous from a radiological perspective for surface handling procedures and can be easily handled using standard personal protective equipment (PPE) as specified on MSDS sheets for the tracer chemical. Tracermax technology does not render any harmful byproducts in well flow back production.
