|
Vol. 231 No. 2 |
Roller bed for section fit-up
ESAB Welding & Cutting Products has introduced the FUB 30 roller bed for use in fabricating large vessels. Featuring a robust design to withstand rugged environments in the welding industry, the system is designed to assemble in 1 + 1 sections, and can be assembled quickly. Each set consists of one power and one idler roller bed with four independently adjusted rollers to align the two sections with each other. The bed and rollers are mounted on one main frame. The FUB 30 offers a maximum load of 30 tons with roller speeds of 130–1,295 mm/min. Other features include steel rollers with polyurethane tires, an inverter-style drive control and a remote pendant with push buttons.
Enhanced geomagnetic referencing Fugro Gravity & Magnetic Services has introduced its MagCube technology, which enhances geomagnetic referencing by increasing the accuracy of measurement while drilling (MWD) in directional drilling. The system utilizes the magnetic intensity measured at the surface from an airborne, marine or land magnetic survey. The surface magnetic data is geomagnetically referenced to the magnetic survey data measured in the wellbore to provide a finer subsurface anomaly vector, which provides a more accurate well path. Geomagnetic referencing, enhanced by MagCube, provides accurate, real-time data on well position while corrections to trajectory are still possible, and minimizes the need to run a post-drilled gyroscopic survey.
Shaker replacement screens
M-I Swaco has released a new line of composite replacement screens for oilfield shakers. The Duraflo replacement screens are designed to fit the Brandt Cobra, King Cobra and LCM-3D shakers. The screens are made using a glass-filled polypropylene and steel-reinforced frame, and provide resistance to corrosive drilling fluids. They also offer improved fluid capacity due to a higher percentage of non-blanked area than other framed screens, high resistance to blinding and drier solids discharge. Composite construction that includes a soft gasket molded into the bottom of the frame creates an ultratight seal between the screen and screen bed, and eliminates solids buildup and solids bypass. The composite screens are lighter than standard steel-framed screens, allowing for easier and safer replacement.
Gear drivehead for pump speed control
The Moyno Gear Drivehead (MGD) uses an adjustable hydraulic gear drive to quickly control downhole progressing cavity pump speed at the wellsite. The hydraulic drivehead features effective backspin control for operational safety. The MGD is rated to 70 hp at 1,200-rpm input speed. It features high-strength alloy shafts for rugged durability, accepts standard “C”-mount 80- or 90-cc hydraulic motors for more cost-effective components and handles system pressures to 4,000 psi. External moving parts such as belts and sheaves are eliminated. Production can be optimized by matching pump speed to well conditions.
Electrically powered jacking systems Siemens Netherlands and Gusto-MSC, a subsidy of the Dutch company SBM Offshore, have collaborated on electrically powered rack-and-pinion systems for jackup units in the offshore industry. The variable-speed-driven systems are used to lift drilling vessels and platforms for the offshore industry above sea level at their work location, making them impervious to waves. The frequency-controlled electrical drives can position the legs of the drilling vessel or platform on the seabed faster and more accurately than conventional systems. Lighter construction and better weight distribution, along with less required installed power, make the system less expensive, and also increase efficiency by about 10%. Siemens supplied the electrical components of the jacking systems, including Sinamics S120 drives, Simantic S7 control, PCS7 and motors.
High-performance cordage
Samson has introduced AS-90 cordage, a product that uses Dyneema SK90, a new grade of high-modulus polyethylene fiber, to the offshore industry. It is 15 times stronger than quality steel and 40% stronger than aramid fibers, on a weight-for-weight basis. It floats on water, is highly durable and is resistant to moisture, UV light and chemicals. Through the use of this fiber, AS-90 provides increased control of lines and better rigging efficiency, while providing light weight, durability and ease of handling. The 12-strand construction provides increased strength and greater linear elastic stiffness, resulting in less elongation with an increasing load when compared with other Dyneema fiber lines. Samson’s Samthane coating technology enhances the rope’s abrasion resistance.
Continuous circulation system
Managed Pressure Operations (MPO) has developed the Non Stop Driller (NSD) system, to allow continuous circulation with rig pumps while making or breaking drill pipe connections. The system consists of a ball valve and a custom-designed high-pressure side entry connection valve, housed in a sub. Full rig pump circulation is maintained throughout the drill pipe connection by circulating into the side entry valve via a manifold interfaced with the rig standpipe manifold, and a hose and quick connector. The ball valve is closed, and pressure is bled off above it, allowing the drill pipe connection to be made, while full circulation continues via the side entry valve. Rig pumps are never stopped or slowed down.
The system can be run as either subs made up to the top of each stand required to drill a section, prior to drilling out the casing shoe, or can be installed in the box end connections of modified joints of drill pipe. The NSD can be installed in subs to fit any tubular size and connection, or any type and size of drill pipe box end connection from 3½-in. OD and above. The system provides full bore internal drill string access. The custom-designed connector attaches to the side entry valve using an intrinsically safe locking system that does not use hammer union connections. It is rated to 10,000 psi at drilling rates of up to 600 gal/min.
Maintaining constant bottomhole pressure while drilling reduces the risk of kicks and hole collapse on connections. The system prevents wellbore ballooning and connection gas while drilling HPHT and deepwater wells. Maintaining circulation during connections improves hole cleaning and mitigates stuck pipe incidents in extended reach wells. The system reduces connection time particularly in air, foam, underbalanced and managed pressure drilling.
|
