We describe a platform for context-aware computing which enables applications to follow mobile users as they move around a building. The platform is particularly suitable for richly equipped, networked environments. The only item a user is required to carry is a small sensor tag, which identifies them to the system and locates them accurately in three dimensions. The platform builds a dynamic model of the environment using these location sensors and resource information gathered by telemetry software, and presents it in a form suitable for application programmers. Use of the platform is illustrated through a practical example, which allows a user's current working desktop to follow them as they move around the environment.

Summary The first exploration-and-production downhole field trial of distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) fiber-optic technology was conducted during the completion of a tight gas well in February 2009. DAS is a novel technology that allows the detection, discrimination, and location of acoustic events on a standard telecom single-mode fiber several kilometers long. Using a combination of the measurement of backscattered light and advanced signal processing, the DAS interrogator system segregates the fiber into an array of individual microphones. To date, the technology has been applied mainly in the defense and security industries. One of the most exciting applications for downhole application of DAS is in the area of hydraulic fracturing of tight-sand and shale-gas reservoirs. Balancing the cost of hydraulic-fracture stimulation with the production benefit is crucial in tight-sand and shale-gas developments because, after drilling costs, the completion is the largest single cost component of the well. Recordings can be made while tools are run in hole, bridge plugs are set and perforations are shot and during the fracture-stimulation treatment. The technology is sufficiently reliable and sensitive to detect and monitor these in-well activities. The fidelity of the recordings made during hydraulic-fracturing and flowback operations provides a step-change improvement in the ability to perform real-time and post-job diagnostics and analyses of the stimulation. The different case studies presented in this paper will illustrate how, even in its earliest form, DAS has the potential to enhance the capability of monitoring and understanding in-wellbore activities. The technology enables the optimization of hydraulic-fracturing design and execution, which can drive down completion costs and lead to increased well productivity and ultimate recovery.

Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) deployed in a wellbore can be used to detect P-waves and S-waves generated in the subsurface. In a well which has geophones and a DAS cable deployed, micro-seismic events have been detected on both instruments at the same time, establishing the concept of using DAS as a micro-seismic detector. While DAS is still less sensitive than geophones, it has the advantage of being non intrusive and a permanent installation, so both recording in treatment wells and 4D recording concepts are realistic options that can be implemented once the fibered cable is installed.

The first E&P downhole field trial of Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) fibre optic technology was conducted by Shell Canada during the completion of a tight gas well in February 2009. DAS is a novel technology that allows the detection, discrimination and location of acoustic events on a standard telecom single-mode fibre of several kilometres in length. Using a combination of the measurement of backscattered light and advanced signal processing, the DAS interrogator system segregates the fibre into an array of individual "microphones". To date the technology has been mainly applied in the defense and security industries. One of the most exciting applications for downhole application of DAS is in the area of hydraulic fracturing of tight sand and shale gas reservoirs. Balancing the cost of hydraulic fracture stimulation versus the production benefit is crucial in a tight sand and shale gas developments as, after drilling costs, the completion is the largest single cost component of the well. Recordings were made while tools were run in hole, bridge plugs set, perforations shot and during the fracture stimulation treatment(s). The technology proved sufficiently reliable and sensitive to detect and monitor these in-well activities. The fidelity of the recordings made during hydraulic fracturing and flow back operations, provided a step-change improvement in the ability to perform real-time and post-job diagnostics & analyses of the stimulation. The different case studies presented in this paper will illustrate how, even in its earliest form, DAS has the potential to enhance the capability of monitoring and understanding in-wellbore activities. The technology enables the optimization of hydraulic fracturing design and execution, which could drive down completion costs and lead to increased well productivity and ultimate recovery.

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