March 2005
News & Resources
New products
Vol. 226 No. 3 Wobble stator pumps Progressive cavity pump manufacturer seepex introduces a line of “wobble-stator” pumps. This design si
Progressive cavity pump manufacturer seepex introduces a line of “wobble-stator” pumps. This design significantly reduces the price of progressive cavity pumps and repair parts. Special elastomers and the design of the stator greatly increase both performance and longevity, and the new design features higher volumetric efficiencies. The stators have a dedicated flexing-zone separate from the geometry. Capacities to 10 gpm and pressures to 175 psi are offered. AC and DC variable-speed close-coupled drives are available.
A Riserless Light Well Intervention service (RLWI) has been formed by Island Offshore, FMC Technologies and Maritime Well Service, part of the Aker Kvaerner group. The partners bring their experience in well intervention and marine operations to provide the RLWI service to North Sea operators. RLWI allows well interventions to be performed by a dynamically positioned (DP3) monohull vessel instead of large anchored drilling rigs designed for more complex operations. Also, the service allows sub sea well intervention to be performed more frequently, resulting in increased recovery from the subsea wells. The DP3 Unit, Island Frontier, has been designed and built as a well intervention unit, with the latest rules and regulations fully incorporated in the construction. It is equipped with accommodations for up to 84 persons, a 140 ton deck-mounted crane, a work class ROV and an eyeball unit. It is capable of operating in up to 5-m waves height, and the 14-knot cruising speed permits speedy transit to any location. FMC Technologies’ Subsea Lubricator has been installed in a purpose-built frame to minimize manual handling and maximize deployment speed. The system is offered for operations in water depths to 500 meters, but is capable of deployment to greater depths.
The IAS 50 from GE Inspection Technologies is a field-deployable, ultrasonic integrity assessment system designed for corrosion mapping and general flaw detection for use in the oil and gas and energy industries, particularly in the inspection of pipelines and other critical structures. It features analysis software in line with newly introduced direct assessment standards from the NACE and API. The turnkey system is designed for rugged environments and consists of a high-performance, five-channel, ultrasonic generator/ control unit coupled with a two-axis motion controller and a data-acquisition system. The data-acquisition system is provided with application-specific imaging and analysis software. The IAS 50 is available with a series of ultrasonic probes and probe holders to allow a variety of inspection applications on flat or curved surfaces. It can map wall thickness with a resolution of 0.001 inches (0.03mm) in steel.
Volant’s top-drive Casing Running Drive Sub (CRDS) mounts to the top drive and uses an internal mechanism stabbed into the pipe to grip the inside pipe surface of the casing, unlike conventional systems that engage on connection threads, or grip the pipe with make-up tongs. Engagement with the pipe is fast, and full load capacity allows the CRDS to hoist and rotate the casing simultaneously. The system is safer to operate and requires fewer personnel. The casing is protected from deformation and corrosion caused by marring and gripping, and redundant hoisting mechanism increases safety and reduces running risk. CRDS can be operated mechanically or hydraulically. A full-time ID seal enables fill and circulate function during running, and the gripping mechanism is designed to cover the entire running load envelope. Custom-designed versions of the tool can be built to support specific requirements.
Weatherford International Ltd has introduced its new Sea Lion modular separation package, which safely separates solids, liquids and gas returns. At 25 × 25 ft, the complete package provides the smallest footprint in the industry while retaining all of the performance specifications of a high-volume and -pressure system. The 11 modules that comprise the package can be lifted and assembled in separate pieces. Since the maximum weight per lift is 15 mt, no special lift boats are required. The Sea Lion rigs up on most locations onshore or offshore in hours. The package can be built to specification, and meets all North Sea operating requirements (as well as other locations). The unit is equipped with redundant 5,000-psi production choke manifolds, so that if one cuts out or otherwise is rendered inoperative flow can be diverted to the other with no interruption in operations.
