WorldwideAnnouncing Rig-Hand™ RFID Technology Transforming Downhole Equipment Use
HOUSTON, TX – (May 2, 2005) -- Merrick Systems Inc., a leading provider of integrated software solutions for upstream oil and gas operations, announces the release of the Rig-Hand™. The Rig-Hand™ system is RFID tags, ruggedized handheld computers, tag readers and software modules. It is designed for fast, accurate and consistent collection of information on downhole equipment for drilling, workover and completions operations.
Tags utilizing newly developed and patented RFID technologies are embedded in downhole tubulars such as drill pipe, casing, production tubing and other BHA (Bottom Hole Assembly) components. Rig-Hand™ provides rig operations, inspection services, storage yards and the transportation sector with immediate access to component information. Accurate dimensions, certifications, inspection records, or even sales and use history is accessible. Information collected from the downhole components is seamlessly available to both Rig-Hand™ software modules and to a variety of existing 3rd party applications.
“The pipe measuring method used on rigs today requires three to five people to measure, manually document and calculate pipe tallies. Rig-Hand™ reduces this overhead to one-person scanning pipe with a handheld computer that automatically provides the pipe tally and more. This automation saves critical time on the rig floor,” says Ian Binmore, Director of Drilling Products at Merrick.
“But more than just saving time, Rig-Hand™ provides critical drill string information that helps reduce pipe failures, fishing costs and downtime. The financial benefits of the Rig-Hand™ system are significant, anywhere from $70,000 to $1,000,000 per rig per year,” says Binmore.
Kemal Farid, President of Merrick Systems, adds “Entering the drilling market is a natural fit for Merrick. Our goal is to provide our clients the best technology available for turnkey well information management, from the well site to the back office. With Rig-Hand™, we offer drilling operations more accurate information with greater efficiency than previously possible. We are excited about that,” says Farid.
The first commercial test of the Rig-Hand™ system has just been successfully completed on a workover project at Southern California Gas Company. A test of factory installed RFID equipped casing is scheduled with a major operator and one of North America’s largest casing and coupling manufactuers for later this summer. Various Rig-Hand™ modules for different sectors of the industry will be released over the next several months. Drilling contractors and operators are currently scheduling Rig-Hand™ for implementation onsite.
About Merrick Systems, Inc.
(Merrick) is a Houston based software development and professional services company providing enterprise-class applications for upstream oil and gas operations. Merrick has an excellent reputation in the industry for handling complex operational and regulatory issues, producing robust software products and delivering outstanding customer service. Merrick’s product offerings extend oil and gas producing asset life, lower lifting costs and optimize field operations.
Rig-Hand™ is covered by one or more of the following U.S. patents No’s: 5,142,128; 5,360,967; 6,347,292; 6,480,811; and 6,604,063.
Additional patents pending. For more information contact Merrick Systems at www.merricksystems.com.
