EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn.,
Jan. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/
-- MTS Systems Corporation (NASDAQ: MTSC), a leading global
supplier of high-performance test systems and sensors, continues to
provide innovative solutions for the oil industry. Working in
conjunction with Norwegian independent research organization,
SINTEF, the company has completed the design and construction of a
large-scale test system that can emulate the complex, high-pressure
environments found "down-hole" in oil wells. This system will be of
great value in ensuring supply continuity and wellbore integrity as
drilling goes to even greater depths.
The new test system replicates the stress profiles present in
different rock formations, as well as simulates fluid flow patterns
and other factors that impact well integrity. Through these
advanced modeling capabilities, oil recovery will be increased—with
larger quantities being extracted from current reserves. In
addition, this technology will play a decisive role in gaining
access to more difficult to reach reserves as they are
discovered.
Representing a major investment from the engineering resources
of both parties, the MTS/SINTEF test system comprises a multitude
of state-of-the-art sensors, actuators, and pressurization systems,
driven by highly sophisticated control software. Using the system,
laboratory staff will be able to create detailed models that allow
different drilling scenarios to be investigated in order to assure
borehole stability is upheld—which translates into more stable and
efficient oil production.
"The oil industry faces difficult challenges ahead. Given a
scarcity of remaining assets but unrelenting demand, combined with
growing environmental concerns, it is paramount that the extraction
process is made as efficient and safe as possible," states Dr.
Jeffrey Graves, MTS President and
CEO. "This can only be done through employing better analysis tools
that accurately reproduce the relevant circumstances. Based on the
data derived, oil engineers will be able to drill in the optimum
places for maximum operational effectiveness."
"The relationship between SINTEF and MTS spans back to the early
1990s. Over the decades we have used the company's equipment in
countless research endeavors, and relied on the strong technical
expertise and application know-how that comes with it," says Jørn
Stenebråten of SINTEF. "This latest project is the most ambitious
that our teams have worked on together, setting major obstacles for
us to overcome and calling for close cooperation throughout the
entire development cycle. Now that the test rig is completed, the
benefits it will have to long-term oil exploration are
unquestionable," adds Lars Erik
Walle of SINTEF.
About MTS Systems Corporation
MTS Systems Corporation's testing hardware, software and
services solutions help customers accelerate and improve their
design, development and manufacturing processes and are used for
determining the mechanical behavior of materials, products and
structures. MTS's high-performance sensors provide controls for a
variety of applications measuring motion, pressure, position, force
and sound. MTS had 3,500 employees as of September 30, 2017 and revenue of $788 million for the fiscal year ended
September 30, 2017. Additional
information on MTS can be found at:
http://www.mts.com
About SINTEF
SINTEF is one of Europe's largest
independent multi-disciplinary research organizations, carrying out
several thousand projects every year for customers large and small.
For more than 60 years, it has developed innovation solutions in
the fields of nanotechnology, natural sciences, oil and gas, and
medicine. For more information visit: https://www.sintef.no
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SOURCE MTS Systems Corporation