American Oil and Gas Reporter - December 2021 - 27

Innovations That Fit Needs
Particular To This Time
Appear Primed To Take Off
As the year draws to an end, it is hard not to think about all
that has happened, particularly with so much continuing to
evolve as we move into 2022. Even with supply chain bottlenecks,
companies are getting back into gear, although at a methodical
pace and with plenty of caution. Today's challenges include
staffing up with the best, who are willing to work hard. Training
and new work processes are all part of the ongoing conversation
around environmental, social and governance goals.
As I begin to travel again and visit with my contacts in the
Lower 48, one of the most significant issues operators face
today is finding employees. I have struggled to figure out where
everyone has gone, and as of now, no one seems to have a clear
answer. On the other hand, ESG concerns also have become an
issue, especially for the larger and publicly traded companies.
ESG, at its core, is the idea that modern investors are so socially
conscious they will not invest in companies-oil or otherwise-
that do not focus on these three issues. This idea has become
such a hot topic that service companies, operators, consultants
and spectators all are looking for ways to showcase their sustainability
efforts. At first, this seemed like a fad; however, as
time goes by, I predict ESG will become part of the fabric of
our industry in much the same way safety has been embedded
in virtually every aspect of our activities.
Finally, for some flavor, add a dash of mergers and acquisitions
with a touch of legislative challenge, and it has been a
year indeed.
So, what are we to do with the current landscape as we set
budgets and begin to plan our business activities around a
coming year that is packed with promise? From my perspective,
I see technology and innovation holding much of the potential
in the coming year. During 2021, you have read about innovations
in machine learning, big data and artificial intelligence. I have
written about innovation in improved oil recovery, carbon
intensity management and simulation optimization. I believe
the coming year is the year for innovation. I think that the development
of technologies during the last couple years, combined
with the staffing crisis, ESG challenges and $70 oil, is the
perfect storm for the embrace and adoption of technologies that
will carry the industry into the coming decades.
One technology that I would keep my eye on in the coming
year is an AI-based solution designed to speed all critical waterflood
development and management decisions, providing
simulation models that match all of the company's historical
data while honoring the physics of the reservoir. Aqueon
works by providing prescriptive analytics that lets users
leverage fast optimization algorithms to mitigate risk while
determining the best possible use of capital. The platform
enables engineers to explore millions of scenarios rapidly, so
that instead of manually sifting through vast quantities of
data, engineers can focus on managing the trade-offs between
cutting costs, increasing oil production and maximizing
recovery across a range of operational and development plans
for waterfloods. The same company also has launched a
" The last couple years have been
challenging. Still, they have made us
stronger as an industry, more competent
and better prepared to continue to innovate
our way into the future.
"
carbon management platform that uses similar science to
monitor, track and make operational recommendations for
companies looking to reduce carbon intensity.
In situ or heavy oil producers face the challenge of avoiding
the requirement to use large volumes of diluent, water and
chemicals and reducing greenhouse gas emissions and energy
costs. To address these issues, Alfaluz has created a costeffective
system that quickly transforms heavy oils into pipelineready
output during the production process, with negligible environmental
impact.
The process consists of combining special-purpose equipment
and the company's proprietary chemical Petromax®
, which
work together to reverse the charge of the particles in the crude
oil emulsion. The resulting repulsion between oil, solids and
heavy contaminants instantaneously breaks the water/oil and
oil/water emulsion, leaving the solids free of oil, eliminating
hydrogen sulfide and separating the oil. The remaining salts
and heavy metals then move to the water phase. The remaining
solids-including resins, asphaltenes, sulfur, crystalized paraffin,
heavy metals and crystalized salt-separate significantly and
drop out. This is a huge deal for oil sands mining producers,
where one of the main challenges has been obtaining higher
profit margins from bitumen production without generating
toxic tailing ponds.
These are only two technologies that hold promise in 2022.
In addition, we are seeing emerging technology that can help
identify pipeline trouble spots without pigging, near neutrally
buoyant proppant specifically designed to optimize completions
and the ongoing digitization of oil field operations. The last
couple years have been challenging. Still, they have made us
stronger as an industry, more competent and better prepared to
continue to innovate our way into the future. May you enjoy
happy holidays and a prosperous new year.
❒
JEREMY VISCOMI is a strategic
marketing expert for the oil and
gas industry. Among his many
roles, he serves as the MidContinent
regional lead for the
Petroleum Technology Transfer
Council, providing independent
operators with access to emerging
technology aimed at reducing
risk and growing profits.
DECEMBER 2021 27
American Oil and Gas Reporter - December 2021

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