Custom opto-electronic design and production specialist Avo Photonics in collaboration with the Wireline R&D optical sensor group at Weatherford International has successfully designed and validated the performance of a downhole multi-channel photometric analyzer. The sensor has now completed several field trials and is being volume manufactured by Avo Photonics for Weatherford commercial deployment.
The Reservoir Fluid Analyzer (RFA) sensor conforms to a 4.5 inch diameter space performing downhole fluid analysis up to five kilometers below the earth’s surface. The sensor design allows the device to perform high-quality photometric analysis while withstanding operating temperatures from -20 to 177°C with total differential pressures up to 30,000 psi.
“Avo’s optical and opto-mechanical design and manufacturing expertise for harsh environment operations and their rapid understanding of the downhole challenges were critical to create a sensor assembly that would work within our existing wireline equipment,” said Dr. Jess V. Ford, Weatherford Senior Staff Scientist.
“Designing and manufacturing an optical fluid analyzer for downhole is challenging, and Weatherford’s extended long wavelength requirements compounded the difficulties of high temperature performance,”said Dr. Thomas Haslett, Avo Photonics Chief Technology Officer. “We created an original design from our unique perspective. The result has been a high-quality, high-fidelity instrument that is continually produced at Avo.”
About Weatherford
Weatherford is one of the largest multinational oilfield services companies. Weatherford’s product and service portfolio spans the life cycle of the well, and includes capability in drilling and formation evaluation, well construction, completion and production. The Company provides innovative solutions, technology and services to the oil and gas industry, and operates in over 100 countries employing more than 65,000 people worldwide. For more information, please visit www.weatherford.com.
About Avo Photonics
Avo is the photonics industry’s trusted source for exclusive, private label photonics design, development, and manufacturing. It produces confidential, client-owned optoelectronic solutions and products for military, aerospace, medical, communications and industrial application. Headquartered in greater Philadelphia with offices in Canada and European distribution, Avo was founded and still guided by laser physicists and engineers who blend critical, photonics-based disciplines into a single source for the conceptualizing, design, testing and producing of precision, rugged, optoelectronic components and assemblies. When the industry thinks Avo, they think Light. Precisely. Avo works with market leaders that demand strict confidentiality and advanced technology that address their rapidly evolving photonics needs.
For more information, email sales@avophotonics.com, visit www.avophotonics.com or call 215.441.0107.