PigCam®, EV’s signature innovation, drives the energy transition forward
In line with its ambition of being the leading and most innovative provider of vision-based diagnostics and analytical services in the global energy industry, EV helps well operators to identify, understand and resolve the most complex wellbore issues. Operating in 36 countries, EV’s global team of experts apply decades of combined experience and cutting-edge technology to deliver detailed information, thus enabling a better understanding of well challenges. We get a more detailed introduction to the business from Fraser Louden, CEO.
“Founded in the UK on March 1st, 2000, EV provides market leading downhole video-led visual analytics services and products. By doing so, the company helps its energy sector customers identify, understand, and resolve their various challenges, enabling them to make better and faster decisions to address their complex issues. These key decisions are enabled by high-resolution images and associated dimensioning, as well as other measurements and statistical information recorded and produced during EV’s field operations,” he opens.
Latest technology
A powerful innovation hub for the energy industry, EV is constantly creating new solutions and technologies to aid and empower energy companies in the sector. “While our core business remains focused on providing the highest resolution array camera imaging technology, we have enhanced this service through the integration of Visual Analytics and the quantification of optical images. Furthermore, we can combine additional measurements, including pressure, temperature, orientation, gamma ray, CCL, multi-finger caliper, and, more recently, phased array ultrasound capabilities, alongside our camera technology. However, our most recently developed new technology is the PigCam®, an array camera system specifically designed for deployment in the midstream pipeline market. Developed in collaboration with Baker Hughes and ENI for a CO2 sequestration project in the UK, the PigCam® camera module was designed, manufactured and tested in H2 2024. Subsequently, it was deployed in the field to verify the success of the pipeline cleaning operations conducted in preparation for potential repurposing of the pipeline. Prior to the introduction of PigCam®, no existing technology offered the very high-resolution capability required to provide such clear, detailed and comprehensive assessment of pipeline cleanliness. This level of detail was essential for the customer to assure regulatory authorities that the pipeline had been properly cleaned and was suitable for CO₂ gas applications.
Visualization solution
“Additionally, ClearVision™, which combines phased array ultrasound and array camera technology, along with our Optis Infinity Integrated Video Caliper (IVC), are two award-winning innovations which EV were first to introduce to the upstream market. Our clients have used these solutions to enhance the well production understanding in both conventional and unconventional wells, optimize their fracturing processes, measure and confirm well restrictions and well integrity and assist with associated corrosion quantification and thereby well life extension. These services are deployed in a single run into a wellbore using any conveyance method. By combining these capabilities into one multi-sensor string, EV reduce both operational time and costs,” Fraser enlightens.
Alongside these revolutionary solutions, EV has created AIVA™, a new cloud based visualization software, to help support its clients. “AIVA™ is a cutting-edge platform that addresses many key issues encountered by our customers. Firstly, it is a cloud-based system, making it accessible from anywhere in the world as long as the customer has a web browser. Users can easily access their cased hole logs from any service provider and view production and integrity data alongside various other types of information, including reports, charts, and graphs. Additionally, AIVA™ users have the option to browse customized statistical charts and tables using the integrated Microsoft Power BI statistical presentation tool. As there are no user-specific licenses, clients have the freedom to assign data access to as many or as few customer users as required. Moreover, this multi-sourced data platform is not tied to viewing EV sourced data alone, but also accommodates and integrates the provisioned data from other field service suppliers.
Sector evolution 
“AIVA™ offers customer-centric visualization where users can select their particular well and access all the data available pertaining to that well, thus enabling them to compare data from different vendors or vintage. The platform operates on an Opex pay-as-you-upload model, which is not as expensive as traditional Capex or license-based systems. Indeed, clients pay a small sum to upload a dataset without the burden of user licenses or additional fees. With AIVA™, data is securely stored in the cloud and after three years, customers have the option to extend hot storage or transfer data to cold storage,” Fraser informs.
For many years, EV has been very active in adding visualization to the evolving energy sector, an interest that has led to the development of EV’s unique quantified optical technology solutions. Fraser explains how EV’s advanced solutions are facilitating the current energy transition. “Each year, we perform hundreds of operations in applications linked to the energy evolution, such as gas storage, CO2 sequestration, geothermal well imaging, and water irrigation wells for food production. The energy sector evolution is an ever extended journey, demanding the implementation of the latest technologies provided by companies like EV. This investment is vital to optimize the lifespan & efficiency of wells and pipelines, accurately measure, visualize and report the integrity of the assets utilized to produce, recover, store, and transport the worlds valuable energy resources,” he shares.
Growth plans
EV’s work in facilitating the energy transition does not stop there, as Fraser points out. “Our most common services encompass inspections for gas well and oil well integrity, as well as detection of leak, restriction, deformation, corrosion, and obstructions. These solutions play a key role in assisting the Methane Emissions Reduction Program’s (MERP) initiative to reduce emissions. In line with our commitment to the energy transition, our operations extend to geothermal applications, which are common in Europe, the US, Indonesia and other areas. As the global leading downhole camera company, we deploy cameras designed to operate at temperatures up to and exceeding 400°F in these extremely hot geothermal environments to identify scale and other critical challenges.”
Having said goodbye to 2024, EV starts off the new year stronger following its acquisition by Enersol Energy Solutions. “While we are still in the early days within our new family, the acquisition which was completed in late November 2024, our vision is clear. As our new partner, Enersol invests to cement its status as the leading well technology company, EV anticipate exciting support to help accelerate technology development and the global commercialization of our new innovations. Enersol presents an amazing platform with precise growth plans that we believe can be easily achieved through investment, collaboration and teamwork. Furthermore, the development of our operations in the Middle East will significantly benefit from our reputable local partner, thus delivering greatly improved regional potential for our most advanced visual technologies,” he ends.
By remaining at the forefront of innovation, EV continues to help customers visualize the energy industry’s future.