New products

Vol. 232 No. 7

Deepwater stimulation vessel

Baker Hughes has launched its new fracturing and stimulation vessel, the Blue Tarpon. The 300-ft ship, one of the world’s largest stimulation vessels and the seventh vessel in the Baker Hughes fleet, is designed to provide high-rate and high-volume stimulation treatments for offshore operations. With one of the largest proppant and fluid-carrying capacities in the world, the American Bureau of Shipping-certified ship can perform complex, multizone completions without traveling back to port for resupply. With a maximum pump rate of 80 bbl/min., proppant capacity of 2.1 million lb and accommodations for up to 44 people, the vessel is designed to perform round-the-clock operations in deepwater plays. The vessel’s 10 separate high-pressure pump units—housed in a fully enclosed structure to protect the equipment from the environment—can deliver up to 24,000 hydraulic hp and pump up to 32,000 lb/min. of proppant. The Blue Tarpon also features a DP-2 dynamic positioning system with twin bow thrusters and a stern thruster specifically designed to operate in extreme weather and sea conditions.

High Pressure Equipment Company’s (HiP’s) pipe connection line includes valves, fittings, couplings, caps, needle valves, line filters, check valves, safety heads and rupture discs. Available in a range of sizes, materials and body configurations, HiP valves and fittings are made of high-tensile-strength 316 stainless steel. NPT valves are available in ⅛-in., ¼-in., ⅜-in., ½-in., ¾-in. and 1-in. sizes, in two-way straight and two-way angle body configurations. Fittings are available to adapt to taper seal, in high-pressure or medium-pressure versions. Ball and softseat check valves are available to ensure flow in only one direction. Line filter micron sizes of 0.5, 2, 5, 10, 40 and 100 are available. HiP piston air operators provide remote automatic on/off valve operation in maximum operating pressures of 10,000, 20,000 and 30,000 psi. With a large variety of orifice sizes and air pressure requirement ranges, the extra heavy duty air operators can be controlled by means of an air regulator, an electrical solenoid or a manual low pressure valve in the user’s air supply line.

Down-the-hole hammer

Atlas Copco has announced the addition of the QLX 60 OG to its QLX line of down-the-hole hammers for the oil and gas industry. Increased reliability and performance are the result of several design enhancements, such as a smaller, less bulky backhead and the capability to adjust the hammer to the available air volume. Consequently, penetration rate has been improved 20% over earlier QL models. The new backhead provides for a reasonably priced rebuild, supporting the long-term economy of the unit. It has also been designed with an improved and fine-tuned air flow. The new air-select system allows the hammer to use more air, rather than forcing the air compressor to work harder to force the volume of air through. As a result, fuel economy is improved. The system also allows the operator to avoid backpressure problems caused by opening the check valve to bypass air. Another improvement is the new radial alignment of the air-select guide to the casing ID. The new tail seal aids in the longer-term economy of the QLX 60 OG by providing a low-cost replaceable component that helps prevent premature piston wear.

Schlumberger announced the release of the latest additions to the ACTive family of coiled tubing (CT) services. The ACTive GR (gamma ray) and ACTive TC (tension and compression) make up a new downhole platform that allows operators to obtain a variety of downhole measurements to enable real-time decisions and operational control. The new platform delivers downhole measurements specifically for internal and external pressure, temperature, casing-collar locator depth correlation and optional gamma ray or tension and compression, all in real time. Premium pressure measurements and modularity enable increased overall job efficiency during CT interventions. On-depth perforating and effective placement of packers are achieved through real-time depth correlation against the formation with a pump-through GR module. Wellbore and reservoir depth correlation can also be achieved, as well as pump-through, pressure-compensated downhole tension and compression measurements. Depth accuracy for precision applications such as perforating and zonal isolation is provided by the combination of the real-time collar location and GR measurements. The ACTive family of services provides live downhole measurements that are conveyed on a fiber-optic-enabled CT. The system is made up of a bottomhole assembly, surface electronics and dynamic interpretation software, offering solutions for matrix acidizing, wellbore cleanout, perforating, zonal isolation, lift operations and distributed temperature survey profiling.

Kickover tool for deviated wells

Wireline and well intervention technology specialist Wireline Engineering has launched its new Advanced Kickover Tool, which enhances the efficiency of gas lift mandrel interventions by improving wireline conveyance and tool orientation. This is important in highly deviated wells where the gas lift mandrel is set at challenging depths and angles. The tool’s ability to run smoothly into a deviated well reduces the risk of access failure, and its design makes it more effective at deploying or retrieving gas-lift valves on the first attempt, minimizing downtime. The tool has improved on the design elements of the Enhanced Performance Kickover Tool, to perform better in challenging downhole conditions. It can be run in conjunction with Roller Bogie tools including the Low Loader jarring tool.

Chemical-resistant epoxy insulation coating

Nansulate EPX insulation, corrosion prevention, chemical- and flame-resistant coating, by Industrial Nanotech, was created for insulation of pipes, tanks and equipment to reduce energy costs and stand up to harsh environments. The two-part epoxy formula is splash-resistant to acids, bases and fuels and also reduces heat transfer to lower energy demand. It can be applied with a texture sprayer, trowel or stiff brush while equipment is in service. This textured coating is water-based, low-odor and can insulate surfaces up to 400°F, including steam pipes, boilers, valves, heat exchangers, ovens and chilled water pipes. It can be use for both metal (with Nansulate High Heat primer) and non-metal surfaces. The finish stands up to humid environments, lowers energy consumption, reduces surface temperature and lowers heat emitted into the environment by hot equipment.