Fiber optic technology for measuring physical parameters currently is one of the fastest growing areas of applied optics. Fiber optic sensors compared to classical sensors have unique advantages, such as high sensitivity, immunity to electromagnetic interference, small size, light weight, robustness, flexibility, and the ability to provide multiplexed or distributed sensing. Due to these unique properties, they are widely used in solving various scientific and practical challenges, in which it is necessary to measure temperature, deformations and other parameters of extended objects.

Fiber optic sensors can be divided into two groups:

— point sensors

— and distributed sensors.

Optical fibers are the core in both concepts, still they significantly differ technically and commercially. Because of this both address applications in different ways.

From the technical point of view point sensors type is based on the use of a fiber Bragg grating (BBR) as a transducer of the measured effect into an optical signal. Since the size of standard fiber optic cables is small (not more than a centimeter), point sensors measure temperature values or strain only at the single point where the cable touches the surface. To get measures at several points it is necessary to form a monitoring system. The number of point sensors in a single fiber line can be ~100 and considering the possible light loss a sensor system with a large number of point sensors can be considered as quasi-distributed.

In contrast to point sensors, distributed fiber optic sensors, in industry known today as DFOS, use the entire length of the optical fiber as the sensing medium. Scattered light (due to Rayleigh, Mandelstam-Brillouin, or Raman effects) is used as the measured optical signal, and Optical Time Domain Reflectometry (OTDR) method allows measuring the distribution of temperature, strain, acoustics, or other external influence along the entire optical fiber length. Measuring systems based on scattering can be inferior to distributed systems based on a large number of point sensors in spatial resolution and sensitivity but have such an important advantage as the spatial continuity of the measured parameter.

Given the differences in technical aspects, it can be said that both technologies are priced differently from a commercial point of view. To be competitive in most cases they must be cost-optimized, proving their costs per measurement point or cost per unit length. When measurements involve long distances and many measurement points, DFOS systems have no significant competition among other technologies. Unique cost-per-kilometer or cost-per-number-of-measurement-points features of a DFOS system providing informative colorful spatial profiles, some in the real time, over the entire length of the sensor cable proved to be the largest commercial advantage. Within the scope of DFOS possibilities the investor decisions are easy-to-make, whereas for a point-based system which is much more versatile in terms of measurements and measurands, decisions must be considered on a more case-by-case basis. Developments in recent years show that point sensors have found their deployment niche in the applications where the combination of size, sensitivity and measurement accuracy matters most. As technology improves and new products enter the market, we can expect more innovative approaches, both technical and commercial.

In recent years, fiber optic sensors have demonstrated considerable potential for physical measurements and other practical applications. This is largely due to their sensitivity to a wide range of physical quantities, chemical stability, durability, ease of interfacing to high-speed and noise-proof fiber optic communication lines, fire and explosion safety. Safety is especially important for applications associated with combustible and explosive materials, such as coal, oil and gas production, etc. In addition, fiber optic sensors are quite compact, do not require systematic maintenance and are very resistant to chemical attack.

In coal, oil and gas production fiber optic sensors are used primarily for measuring temperature (usually by Raman method) and pressure (interferometers) in wells, as well as for pipeline monitoring. Fiber temperature sensors can also be used in fire alarm systems of various structures, as well as in the energy industry (monitoring heating elements of turbine generators, power lines, transformers, etc.). Deformation and vibration sensors are also used in power engineering (for example, to prevent the destruction of turbine generators). Radiation-resistant sensors are used in the nuclear power industry. Deformation and vibration sensors are used for structural health monitoring (bridges, tunnels, dams, dams, offshore oil platforms, foundations, roofs, high-rise buildings, etc.). Recent studies and experiments demonstrated that fiber optic sensors can even be implemented in composite materials for monitoring purposes in aircraft construction, space technology, etc.

If we compare the costs required to deploy both systems (point sensors and distributed sensors), the cost of distributed fiber optic sensing is much lower, because it does not require additional costs for powering the sensor element. In addition, for deployment of an accurate monitoring system a large number of point sensors would be needed (depending on the length of the object), so the cost of the point sensors cumulatively would be much higher than the cost of the fiber optic cable.

Taking everything into account, fiber optic sensors can be considered as the most promising approach to monitoring purposes for many industries, and Wires&Bytes team can assist you if you are investigating how DFOS technology can be of any help to your project. Let us know!

Not long-ago, slicklines were considered long and rather simple solid wires carrying equipment down the wellbore. New demands for improved technologies caused this view to change. It opened space for innovation in the designs and consequently brought more features to the products.

Nowadays slicklines and e-lines are not just lowering battery-powered tools down the well, they are also delivering electrical power, commuting control signals, and streaming data from tool string to the surface equipment. These new capabilities are expected to withstand harsh downhole environments which are integral parts of the whole measurement system. The all-included package comprising of optical, electrical, and mechanical capability provided by SlickLight-H and DFOS interrogation units is the reason for Thru Tubing Solutions to adopt Wires&Bytes technology. After some weeks of preparation this approach was finally demonstrated in Pennsylvania in March 2022 showing that all-round slickline design and careful adaptation of existing working equipment leads to efficient operation on well sites.

Along with DFOS data acquisition, electrical signaling and controls of downhole tools, the first deployments made space for more feature enhancements, being the reason for Wires&Bytes to introduce further innovation and new products to its portfolio this year.

SlickLight DFOS logging technology is designed to make a change in Oil&Gas industry. SlickLights, our new fiber optic retrievable cables, enable fast and real-time acquisition over the entire wellbore length and allow decision-making directly on site and remotely within a few hours. We are pleased to know that this technology is resonating with key industry players!

So, another SlickLight has been successfully spooled onto an EXPRO metal winch drum and is ready for deployment to gather data.

If you are interested in this technology, contact us for details.

Also you can watch the recordings of our webinars:

— Casting light on wellbore problems: a SlickLight DFOS solution

— SlickLight-C. Electrically enabled slicklines for real-time downhole telemetry and powering

Wires&Bytes US office is growing and we are happy to welcome new team members Alexander Sachivichik and Thomas Meyer!

Thomas is joining Wires&Bytes as a Business Development Manager having tremendous experience in the Oil&Gas industry and Alex is taking up his duties as a Sales Manager with all his energy and commitment.

Our US team based in Texas will be supporting American customers ensuring a smooth and easy transition to the new generation of well logging technologies and digital oilfields represented by Wires&Bytes products and solutions.

Welcome onboard!

The package solution consisted of 4 km of SlickLight-H (hybrid) supplied by Wires&Bytes, along with the SolaSense monitoring system and software. Thru Tubing Solutions will soon be gathering data from oil-producing wells in Pennsylvania, USA.

The cable was successfully spooled on a deployment reel by a local service company. During the spooling onto the Thru Tubing Solutions logging truck, the cable diameter was monitored utilizing a laser diameter measurement device. The diameter throughout the length only varied by +/- 0.0005”.

The SlickLight family is represented by several lightweight cable designs for well logging and monitoring applications. In comparison to traditional well logging cables these designs have a reduced weight and size while maintaining strength, flexibility, and compatibility with standard slickline fittings and accessories.

SlickLight-H is designed to add DAS and DTS monitoring features on top of electric slickline operation. With SlickLight technology service companies do not need to move the tool strings a lot and spend plenty of time doing so to log the entire length of the well and get accurate data in a short period of time. Since the SlickLight is a sensor over its whole length, DFOS kind of acquisition helps to pinpoint locations of interest, and bring focus quickly there using the traditional tools. This is how cost efficiency and better productivity is achieved.

DFOS interrogation equipment is added parallel to existing electric, or battery powered slickline systems, and software allows processing and visualization of both. This allows service providers to introduce wider range of well logging services with more efficiency now.

Learn more about SlickLight

2021 has been quite a year for us! It’s time to look back and pick the best moments of this year.

As the holiday season is upon us, we find ourselves reflecting on the past year and those who have helped us to shape our business. We hope that this year has been very memorable for you, your colleagues, and your favourite ones. We are sending best wishes to you and hoping that the upcoming year will bring you more great bytes across the intelligent wires!

We look forward to working with you in the years to come!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Wires&Bytes team 💜

What can be more representative than a sample of a real product? Just a fine sample kit!

Wires&Bytes sample kit makes it easy to understand the WB cable range. And it’s so lightweight and handy in use: fold it, put it in a bag, and bring it wherever you need to show WB cables off!

Petar Basic, PhD, Wires&Bytes VP Technology: «All the designs in the photo are state-of-the-art designs (not older than 2 years) yet most of them are already deployed in the field by our customers. They are the results of great teamwork and efforts to meet customer expectations. Specialty cables is a mission of constant learning, challenging, widening and changing your perspectives».

Send your questions and requests here in comments or via info@wiresnbytes.com

As an Outside Sales Representative, you will be responsible for presenting and selling products/solutions to existing and prospective customers and helping to expand business in an assigned geographic territory of the North America, in particular Texas, Louisiana, and surrounding states. You will take an active part in the search for new customers, including setting up and conducting meetings. We want someone who has a successful track record with the US oil and gas well service companies. The ideal candidate has a strong understanding and experience in qualifying new suppliers and products for oil and gas service companies and has a background selling cables or related equipment for downhole applications in the oil and gas industry.

  Expectations & Tasks:

• In Q1 and Q2 2022 you will focus on oil and gas customers in Texas, Louisiana, and surrounding states
• Promote WB products to existing and new slickline and wireline customers in the US market and generate sales
• Process the provided sales leads
• Work closely with Director of Wireline Products supporting business development
• Handle customers incoming requests, specify and negotiate technical and commercial requirements
• Prepare price quotes
• Conclude contracts, contractual annexes, confirm Pos
• Place internal orders in productions
• Provide customers with delivery information and shipment notifications in a timely manner
• Prepare monthly reports for the management teams
• Travel across North America for 1-2 weeks per month

  Qualifications & Soft skills:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited College / University would be your advantage
• At least 5+ years of professional sales experience, preferably in oil & gas service companies
• Professional, self-starter with strong work ethic and ability to work independently
• Ability to achieve individual as well as team goals that will require working as a team in a complex sales cycle, as well as demonstrate the ability to communicate solutions
• Fluency in Spanish would be your advantage

What we offer

Wires&Bytes are a community of experts in the sphere of fiber optic cables production and innovative solutions. We offer a highly collaborative, international team environment with a strong focus on new products development, offering smart solutions and recognition for your individual contributions. Apply now!

Find our samples of real Wires&Bytes products at the GOWell booth #12255 (Hall 12) as well as grab the flyer about SlickLight-C, our newest addition to the SlickLight family.

Contact us and arrange a meeting to learn more about Wires&Bytes innovative products and solutions.

Looking forward to seeing our friends and fellow industry professionals in UAE next week!

When: November 15-18

Venue: Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre

Hosted by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), ADIPEC is the world’s most influential meeting place for oil, gas, and energy companies and professionals.

When it comes to spooling and handling of SlickLight cables, operators should always keep in mind that SlickLight is a tube system and not a full profile wire. Correct handling of SlickLight products is crucial both during initial installation onto the winch drum and also when working on the wellsite. The winch drum must have perfectly vertical flanges, that is, the distance between the flanges at the core and at the top of the flanges must be exactly the same. This is to ensure “smooth spooling” is always maintained. If the SlickLight spooling is “scramble wound”, that must be corrected immediately so as to avoid damage to the SlickLight.

The picture below showcases the concept of smooth spooling.

Also, the recommended sheave wheel diameter is 160 times the diameter of the SlickLight. For example, a 4.6mm (0.181”) SlickLight would require a 760mm (30”) sheave, with groove diameter of exactly 4.6mm (0.181”).

The Wires&Bytes team will provide strong and timely support to our customers to ensure the best performance of this unique and amazing data collection system.