Darcy reaches significant milestone with Epi-V support
4 May 2011
Epi-V-backed Darcy, the completion and sand control specialist, has successfully concluded a major operator-sponsored project to test the performance characteristics of its revolutionary Critical Matrix Management (CMM) system, paving the way for full deployment of the downhole inflow control technology.
The company's CMM system optimises oil and gas reservoir inflow and maximises recovery by applying stress beyond the wellbore to provide a low-risk, high-value sand management completions method.
The test project found that Darcy's CMM technology's sand screen has a significantly higher collapse rating than the stand alone base pipe. The findings also confirmed that the system's activation chambers are highly robust — capable of maintaining pressure integrity even with severe deformation of the screen — while sand integrity is maintained under very heavy loading.
An independently verified test rig was built for the project to replicate the harsh conditions during hydrocarbon production, and simulate the geo-technical loading that could be experienced downhole due to sand laminates and shale stress conditions. The trial sequence also included tests to determine sand retention thresholds.
The independent findings position CMM for full commercial deployment, with Darcy having received notable interest in the technology from a number of major upstream oil and gas services providers.
Epi-V invested in the infant CMM system in 2008, providing inventor Paul Metcalf with access to a high quality design team and state of the art manufacturing facilities.
After successfully passing a number of engineering milestones, Darcy was established by Epi-V in 2009 with a multi-million pound investment to provide the platform to develop, test and commercialise the technology.
Steve Kent, partner at Epi-V and member of the Darcy board, said: "Sand management continues to be operationally intensive and costly for reservoir operators, but a necessary function in reducing the threat sand poses to productivity, asset control and, ultimately, recovery in hydrocarbon production.
"In turn, the opportunity in the upstream oil and gas services sector for a game-changing technology capable of making sand management safer and more efficient, such as CMM, cannot be underestimated.
"The results of this independent project take the technology a huge step closer to full deployment, and prove unequivocally that it provides higher flow rate capability and a significant improvement in collapse resistance.
"We will continue to support Darcy, its experienced management team and the development of the CMM system, which stands testament to the strength of our investment model — taking technology, nurturing and building a business around it, commercialising the innovation and opening routes to market."
More news headlines