Doha: Total has installed advanced LIPS (Laser Induced Pyrolysis System) technology at the Total Research Centre Qatar (TRC-Q) located in QSTP. This unique instrument uses a high power laser directed at the surface of rock samples, or ‘petroleum cores’, to obtain a high resolution analysis of the organic carbon present in those cores, which indicates the presence of oil and gas. The ‘LIPS’ is the only one of this kind in the world.
The ‘LIPS’ was designed and patented a few years ago by Daniel Dessort, Geochemistry Senior Project Leader at TRC-Q. His innovative system adheres to strict HSE standards and has a wide scope of potential applications in various exploration and production projects.
It is mainly used for the evaluation of new unconventional oil and gas resources and to gauge well productivity. ‘LIPS’ is portable and a non invasive technology to study the cores, and it also allows a faster and less expensive data acquisition. The number of measurements on the cores may be multiplied by a ratio larger than 100 compared to the conventional technology available in the industry.
‘”LIPS’ will bring additional data to Qatar,” said Daniel Dessort. “Broadly speaking, the organic carbon in sediments is difficult to locate and requires using logging techniques. Tarmats (in reservoirs), oil shale and shale gas vary widely in thickness, from a few centimeters to several decameters. Their common feature is their rich organic carbon content,” he added.
Philippe Julien, TRC-Q Director also commented: “We are very proud to have this high-tech equipment in Qatar now. It should allow us to deliver improved solutions to Qatari operational challenges. The LIPS is the result of not only high-level research. Several operational applications, where the quantitative approach and high resolution of LIPS are a true added value, have already been developed within the Total group.” The Peninsula
