Specifics of Oilfield Equipment Operation in the North
Implementing complex projects to equip vehicles with telematics requires a specialized approach, especially when operating in extreme climatic conditions. One such large-scale project involved equipping a fleet of over 200 units with Galileosky tracking devices for one of the largest oilfield service companies in Russia. The devices operated in Surgut, Khanty-Mansiysk, and Novy Urengoy, where Hydrofracturing (HF) fleets performed a critical task of maintaining well productivity. Long-term exploitation of a single well leads to a decrease in its efficiency, making the drilling of new wells economically unfeasible. Instead, the HF technology is applied, where a chemical mixture is pumped into the well under high pressure, fracturing the rock from the inside and ensuring free oil flow.
Fuel Consumption and Mixture Control Challenges
Each HF fleet represents a complex group of 20–25 vehicles equipped with powerful pumping, thermal, and chemical equipment. Some of these vehicles have power units with up to 2000 horsepower, resulting in colossal fuel consumption. During peak operation, pump engine units can consume more than 500 liters of fuel per hour. Before the monitoring system was implemented, the customer faced serious challenges: facts of fuel theft were recorded, and the volume of the pumped mixture was determined by norms, leading to underpayments. Fuel consumption outpaced the physical rate of drainage through the tank hole, making control practically impossible without modern equipment.
Selecting Telematics for Harsh Environments
To solve these tasks, the integrator selected telematics devices capable of withstanding the harsh conditions of the Extreme North and ensuring stable data transmission. Galileosky devices were chosen and installed on 280 units of equipment. A key factor in the selection was the problem of poor mobile connectivity in the developed areas. The tracking units were equipped with dual SIM cards and support for external antennas, ensuring a stable connection even in the most remote and inaccessible locations. Furthermore, comprehensive monitoring of each vehicle required connecting to a multitude of factory sensors for pressure and level, which was made possible by the large number of inputs provided in the selected hardware.
Technical Advantages of Galileosky Devices
The implementation of these devices allowed not just tracking the location of vehicles, but deeply analyzing processes occurring inside pump units, mixers, and mobile control stations. Data from sensors was processed in real-time, enabling the control of fuel consumption in various pump operating modes. Special attention was paid to minimizing fuel consumption by heating and mixing equipment, which often operated inefficiently or idly. The system provided accurate readings of pressure and the volume of the mixture pumped into the well, replacing outdated normative accounting methods with digital precision.
Monitoring System Integration Results
A comprehensive approach to equipping the HF fleet allowed achieving impressive results in a short period. Just a month and a half after implementing the monitoring system on all fleet vehicles, fuel savings alone amounted to 18 million rubles. This proves that the correct application of equipment can solve even the most complex cost optimization tasks. In addition to direct savings on fuel, the system improved the quality of work process accounting. The volume of mixed, heated, and pumped mixture was calculated correctly, which played a vital role for employees receiving piece-rate wages. Transparency of data eliminated disputes in calculations and increased trust between the contractor and the customer.
Impact on Fleet Efficiency
The success of the project was due not only to the installation of telematics units but also to the ability of specialists to configure them to meet the specific needs of the client. 280 units of equipment came under reliable control, allowing for the complete elimination of unauthorized fuel drainage opportunities. Integrating the monitoring system became a turning point in the management of the oilfield service company's fleet, turning chaotic resource consumption into a transparent and manageable process. Now, every liter of fuel and every ton of chemical mixture is automatically accounted for, ensuring maximum operational profitability at the Extreme North fields.
Contact: sales@galileosky.com
