New products

Vol. 228 No. 8

Thermal camera

With Bluetooth voice recording and a detector resolution 45% higher than the standard 320 ´ 240 pixels, the ThermoProTP8 thermal imager from Ametek Land can be used to inspect plants, buildings, structures and other targets. Users can capture thermal and visual images simultaneously within the measurement range of -4°F to 1472°F. The system can record dynamic radiometric sequences of moving targets in real time, and store up to 1,000 images on a 2-GB memory card. Automatic capabilities include hot spot and image center detection.  Preferred operational settings can be saved and recalled. Inspection reports can be created quickly with a Microsoft Word interface using a pre-defined template or created manually by the user. Inspection reports can include thermal and visual images, measurement details, annotated text and other essential information. The TP8 uses a 384 3 288 infrared camera and a color 1280 3 1024 visual camera. Operators locate the scene to be inspected and press a button to save both high-resolution thermal and visual images, along with a voice recording of up to 30 seconds. An integrated laser locator helps to associate a hot spot shown in a thermal image with the real physical target. Up to eight areas can be analyzed simultaneously in live, zoomed, frozen or saved format.

High-speed crewboat

Rigdon Marine Corp. is now operating a new generation crewboat with the delivery of the Rigdon Sailfish, constructed by Midship Marine of Harvey, La. The vessel is 176 ft by 32 ft by 13 ft and is powered by four Cummins KTA 50 M3 engines, capable of 1,800 hp each. This output is channeled through four Hamilton HM811 waterjets. The crewboat also uses a 200-hp bow thruster. Cargo capacities are 30,000 gal of water, 34,500 gal of fuel and an approved deck loading limit of 230 long tons. It was built to ABS Fire Fighting Class I standards and incorporates an ABS classed DPS-1 station-keeping system. The vessel maintained a speed of 33 kt in trials, and can transport up to 80 passengers.
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Trends in energy litigation

A new 150-page report called 2007 Trends in Energy Litigation is available from the energy-focused law firm of Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P. Among the numerous trends explored in the report are: the criminalization of energy and environmental matters by the US government and the increase in government regulations, investigations and litigation; internationally, host governments seeking a larger share of revenues through higher taxes and royalties, forced renegotiation of contracts and government decrees; and a significant increase in regulatory oversight of energy markets designed to prevent and punish market manipulation. More than 20 of the firm’s energy attorneys contributed analyses of the emerging US and international trends. The report opens with a detailed section on international energy disputes. It explores how high prices, coupled with the swing of the political pendulum in several regions, led to a chain reaction in which host governments in countries including Algeria, Bolivia, China, Ecuador, Russia and Venezuela sought to increase their take from energy projects. From there, US upstream litigation trends are discussed, such as federal royalties, environmental laws, the Clean Water Act, toxic torts and global warming. Also discussed is the FERC’s expanded jurisdiction and enhanced enforcement authority under the Energy Policy Act of 2005.

3D modeling software

Strucsoft Solutions, Inc., has released JACKET Pro, 3D software for design, construction and fabrication of offshore structures, including jackets, barges and lifting booms. Built on ProSteel 3D, a software program for generating detailed 3D steel structures inside AutoCAD, it allows users to rapidly create a 3D AutoCAD model, produce customized reports, and generate CNC machining instructions for various machines, including pipe cutters, industry beam lines and plate cutters. Multi-legged jackets can be generated by inputting a few parameters, such as section sizes, material type, elevations, bracing types, joint can and joint can clearances. The resulting structure includes pre-defined views. It will output data and documents in a variety of formats. 2D drawings update automatically if the 3D model changes.

Compact electric top drive

The TESCO Model 350 EXI 600 Extreme electric top drive system is a compact, full-featured top drive for smaller narrow-mast drilling rigs. Features include standardized parts, improved gear system and pipe-handling arrangement, and easy access for maintenance and service. The system supports multiple variable frequency drives (VFDs) for easy integration. The complete system, including the top drive, torque system and optional VFD building, is designed to be installed in less than a day. Available with an optional genset, the drive can be independently packaged as a cabinet or building, and be integrated with most existing VFD configurations. The system offers all critical pipe-handling functions, including elevator link-tilt, 137.2-mm extend/retract for making mousehole connections, and 360° pipe handler rotation. The grabber will accommodate tool joints from 76.2-mm to 222.25-mm OD. The design integrates the swivel, gearbox and P.H. Spool, resulting in a compact unit. It incorporates programmable logic control, which optimizes efficiency and provides safety interlocks. A customizable torque-arrest system is included. The entire top drive can be transported in three standard 6.09-m sea containers, and is transportable in the mast for quick rig-up.

Multilateral-design centralizer

The newly designed HydroFORM centralizer, from Volant Products Inc., is manufactured from 1⁄4-in. wall tube, making it extremely robust. High-pressure water is used to form the rib geometry on the tube, creating a smooth profile. This better enables the centralizer to run through a window, as well as the wellbore, with no blunt edges, or secondary components to be stripped off.

Water treatment systems

A brochure from ClearWater Environmental Systems describes the company’s ready-to-use water and wastewater treatment systems for remote locations. The skid-mounted systems use field-proven components, and are engineered to meet water quality requirements for environments around the world.

Blowout preventer

National Oilwell Varco has introduced the Shaffer 135/8-in. LXT ram blowout preventer. This new line of BOPs feature the company’s XT “boltless” door technology, which, combined with a proprietary ram-extraction tool, greatly reduces maintenance downtime and increases personnel safety. Available in 5,000-, 10,000- and 15,000-psi versions, the new BOPs also feature a ram locking system requiring fewer turns to lock rams.

Long-range DTS

SensorTran Inc., a developer of advanced Distributed Temperature Sensing (DTS) technology, announced its DTS 5100-M15 and the DTS 5100-M18 long-range products. These enable users in the power, oil and gas, and environmental industries to obtain accurate temperature measurements of critical assets at distances of 15 to 18 km, the longest-range high-resolution capabilities available. Each product includes an ethernet-ready computer, pre-loaded with DTS software to simplify system management. Standard and optional modules include: autonomous data collection and storage; multiple zones and alarms; flexible data, alarm and remote control/access communications; self-diagnostics, auto-start and safe shut-down; simple calibration, configuration and operation; and application-specific graphical data visualization and user interfaces. Installation is fast with modular cabinet packages, including power back-up, displays and keyboards. The DTS 5100 family of products has the industry’s highest signal-to-noise ratio, which, together with its advanced data processing techniques, provides the fastest measurement speeds obtainable. Because of its shorter read times, one DTS 5100 can provide the same monitoring coverage of several less efficient DTS units, with better overall system measurement time.

Progressing cavity multiphase pump system

The Moyno Tri-Phaze system is a progressing cavity solution for multiphase pumping applications. The system allows all fluids produced at the wellsite, including oil, water and gas, to be transported simultaneously through one pipeline to a central processing station. Its high abrasion-resistance allows for smooth transfer of sandy fluid as well. The unit is capable of generating flowrates up to 60,000 bfpd with suction pressures up to 900 psi and discharge pressures up to 1,200 psi. Also, the system features a stator elastomer formulation that exhibits good resistance to aromatics. It handles gas void fractions with 99% efficiency, and the low-shear pumping action preserves each fluid’s characteristics without emulsification or degradation. This results in extended well production life and decreased wellbore pressures.