Using fibre optic technology to improve shale efficiency
Ziebel, a Norway-based oil and gas diagnostics company, has developed a carbon rod that uses multiple optical fibres to gather data on the completion design of a well. The rod combines temperature and acoustic sensing to collect real-time information to help monitor the results of fracking and determine which zones have been effectively stimulated. It also helps identify how close neighbouring wells should be spaced through interference testing. Ziebel aims to develop an extended reach rod, but must first improve energy conversion to its well tractor. Currently, Ziebel's Z-System technology can travel 5,000 ft horizontally.
Much of what the industry knows about operating in the North American unconventional oil and gas plays has come through trial and error — not a bad way to learn in most circumstances, but hard to justify in a climate of intense pressure to cut exploration and production costs.

In the drive for greater efficiency, drilling and completions teams are looking for ways to optimise well spacing, fracturing stage spacing, perforation cluster density and the distribution of frac fluids and proppants.

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