Shell, HP ink wireless sensors pact for oil & gas exploration

London – Shell and HP are to jointly develop a wireless sensing system to meet oil and gas industry requirements for high-quality seismic data to accurately assess the commercial feasibility of exploration prospects as well as to effectively monitor producing reservoirs.

The partners are to use their complementary knowledge and experience to develop technology to sense, collect and store geophysical data. The system, they said, will integrate seamlessly with Shell’s computing and seismic imaging environment and to be deployed safely and more cost-effectively than current systems.

By delivering a much higher channel count and a broader sensor frequency range than are currently available, the new system promises to vastly improve the quality of seismic data, according to a Shell statement.

“This will represent a leap forward in seismic data quality that will provide Shell with a competitive advantage in exploring difficult oil and gas reservoirs, such as sub-salt plays in the Middle East or unconventional gas in North America,” said Gerald Schotman, executive vice president, innovation/research and development, Shell. “We expect to fully realise the potential of Shell’s processing and imaging technology on land.”

The new system will be delivered by HP Enterprise Services and includes a recent advance in high-performance sensing technology. It will also use HP ProCurve networking products along with HP storage, computation and software products.

“These advances in technology to discover energy resources could transform the ability to pinpoint abundant new oil and gas reserves,” said Joe Eazor, Senior VP and general manager, HP Enterprise Services. “HP is uniquely positioned to offer Shell a complete sensor system that delivers innovation to address key technical seismic challenges.”