Vista Clara has been a pioneer in delivering remote video-based training and customer support, even before the Covid-19 pandemic. Here is a prime example of how our virtual training capabilities, in conjunction with localized professional representatives, can make all the difference for getting end customers up and running quickly and smoothly.
Working with our Algeria representative, IMTRADE Scientific & Industrial Solutions, Vista Clara’s geophysical experts provided remote training for setting up and using one of our GMR Surface-based Magnetic Resonance tools. The details of how they quickly got up and running, along with some photos and data examples are provided below.
The GMR was supplied to Professor Zeddouri Aziez, the director of the Laboratory of Underground Oil, Gas and Aquifer Reservoirs at the University of Ouargla in Algeria. Ouargla is a city in Southern Algeria, in the middle of the Sahara Desert. The aquifer system in the Ouargla basin is the main water source for the city, while also supporting agriculture and other economic activity. The GMR system is a natural solution for his lab and will enable researchers to map the extent of these aquifers and their properties, for the purpose of sustainable use. Our Algeria-based representative, IMTRADE, has been communicating with the professor for a long time to help him get the right system.
After receipt of the GMR system and the training, everyone was eager to test the system and collect their first real NMR data. For the test, they chose a location that had a number of boreholes already drilled, so the hydrogeology was well known.
According to IMTRADE Products Manager, Brinis “Taki” Taqiyeddine, “The system worked smoothly as we followed the steps from the virtual training. After the last training for data interpretation, we could not imagine our happiness that we got it right from the first trial. The customer is pleased and will be doing multiple tests in the future with our support as they transition to further field deployed projects in the future.”
Field Installation and Testing photos (Click on any image for a larger version)
Initial data readings from the GMR enabled the team to accurately characterize the underlying aquifer to depths of 90m, with identification of key parameters as shown below.
According to Dave Walsh, PhD, President of Vista Clara, “One of the things that we like the most is traveling to new places around the world and working directly with our international customers. However, it’s almost as gratifying to see how quickly customers can our systems set up, tested and collecting real data using our virtual training processes along with the excellent support from our partners such as IMTRADE.”
Learn more about magnetic resonance principles and specifically about our GMR Surface-based NMR tools.