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technology sourcing, the identification of potential
partners, and eventually the validation and verifica-
tion processes.
One of the greatest challenges faced by research
and engineering is the extreme conditions that oilfield
technologies work under. Downhole equipment is sub-
ject to high temperatures and pressures, violent
shocks, and corrosive environments. It is these envi-
ronmental conditions that differentiate oilfield tech-
nology mission profiles from those of other industries
with similar data and measurement requirements.
While this challenge is nothing new, the complexity of
future hydrocarbon resources is continually growing
the environmental envelope deeper, hotter, and longer.
As a result, technology components must be exten-
sively tested to validate and verify their performance.
ETG takes the lead in this activity with specialized test
equipment and laboratories within the network of
Schlumberger engineering and manufacturing centers.
Technology standardization also brings advantages
to the field organization. In fact, harmony among the
product lines reinforces the Schlumberger operating
model introduced with the organization of GeoMarket
regions in 1998. That model promoted integration
between technology deployment and field operation by
housing operational crews from different product lines
under the same roof. The advantages were clear—
shared services provided common support, while prod-
uct line integration enabled more efficient delivery of
oilfield services through mutual proximity—from
single service to integrated project management. The
geographical GeoMarket regions also improved effi-
ciency through regional knowledge, customer contact,
and relevant technology deployment.
Today’s combination of the integrated Schlumberger
REMS organization with the GeoMarket region struc-
ture directed by product group coordination is laying
the foundation for even higher levels of service qual-
ity. One important enabler is a new generation of
fit-for-purpose operations bases providing fully inte-
grated levels of service delivery. These bases achieve
complete integration of all active product lines in a
given area while consolidating resources and logistics
and optimizing operational processes and mainte-
nance layouts. In the last two years, nine such bases
have been opened in as many countries, representing
an investment that exceeds $350 million while deliv-
ering incalculable value to operators.
The Cota integrated facility in Bogota, Colombia—one of several
such bases inaugurated in 2013—was designed to facilitate synergy
between Schlumberger product lines to improve integration,
efficiency, quality, and safety.
The facility, which covers 122,000 m
2
, combines the latest
Schlumberger technologies, experienced personnel, and advanced
workflows in logistics, materials management, maintenance
planning, operations monitoring, and resource management.
Integration leads to increased efficiency. For example, engineered
well construction services are supported by state-of-the-art
laboratories and modeling software, enabling field engineers and
petrotechnical experts to reduce prejob cycle time. To expedite the
maintenance of tools and field equipment, each product line has
dedicated workflows to guide tools into the maintenance area and
through predetermined steps prior to final quality control checks.
The process is supervised by maintenance experts in close
collaboration with the field engineers and technicians who use
these tools in the field.
Tools and equipment to be sent to the field undergo a final test in
the integrated test bay. All major tool functions, including safety
features, are tested under the supervision of qualified experts, and
the test logs are analyzed before final release. All records are
archived for traceability and can be accessed both locally by field
engineers and technicians and remotely by engineering center
support staff overseeing a larger fleet of assets.
Integrated Operations Bases
Integration of laboratory testing with field operations leads to
increased efficiency and reduced risk. Laboratory technicians
in the Cota integrated facility test drilling fluid rheology and
density before use in the field.
