When surveying for oil, the cost of running a rig in the North Sea is £100k’s per day. If the drill hits an unknown substance, the material at the tip is assessed by sending a canister down the centre of the drill and recovering a sample whilst maintaining contents at pressure (1000bar). The analysis is then carried out in a land-based laboratory - a process that may take days. During this time the rig is inactive and accruing costs.

Sentec’s client for this product development programme was a leading petrochemical survey company. Working together in close collaboration, Sentec developed a sensor to measure density and viscosity of the drill hole fluids in-situ. The sensor’s continuous density and viscosity measurement downhole far exceeds the capabilities of lab-based equipment.

Following successful field trials, Sentec’s prototype was transferred to manufacture and remains in production today.