New products

Vol. 228 No. 9

Oil shear braking system

Offshore Source, LLC, has introduced an oil-shear braking system. The technology uses multiple friction disks cooled in recirculating transmission fluid. The result is precision control and greater longevity. The Drill Master Brake can serve as an energy absorber for winch, tensioning and drilling applications requiring high torque, low speed and precise weight-on-bit control. The smooth oil shear system eliminates the stick-slip and chatter common with low-speed drum rotation in hard rock formations. Also, by using the fluid for lubrication and cooling, the life under load is much longer, allowing for continuous drilling for weeks or months with no change in characteristics. The quick response piston and low inertia are also beneficial for drilling under varying load conditions such as rock to sand to shale, without interruption of drilling operations. The system features a totally enclosed design to protect equipment from the elements.

Self-loading gasket

Garlock Sealing Technologies has launched Multi-Swell, a new gasketing material. The industry’s first self-loading general service gasket creates its own load when it comes into contact with oil or water, virtually eliminating the most common cause of gasket failure, insufficient load. This new material performs equally well in oil or water, does not degrade in contact with oils, and adapts to all types of flange designs. Since it seals flanges in less than perfect conditions, reducing maintenance, the material is well-suited for MRO applications. Twice as soft as conventional gaskets, Multi-Swell is easy to cut and readily conformable to irregular flanges, ensuring tight seals with lower loads. The product features extremely high crush strength, and can be safely installed in applications that would typically crush elastomeric gaskets.
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Self-expanding sand screen

Self-expansion is a high-ratio, elastic-compression and recovery process of oversized tubulars. Unlike traditional plasticizing approaches, it requires no expansion tooling or related rig time. Self-expansion for sand screens occurs by exposure to specific chemistry or other conditions that release the compressed cells comprising the overall structure. Alternatively, mechanical expansion methods can be used. Dynamic Tubular Systems, Inc., has entered into development agreements with the US DOE microhole program, and has also collaborated with a major producer that is highly experienced with expandables and sand control development. A set of more critical specification areas was created to emphasize four ideal conditions: (1) Ultimate collapse, or assurance of minimum intervention diameter, 2,000 psi; (2) flexible formation compliance, or “cigarette paper effect,” over 200 psi; (3) high flow-through at minimum diameter; and (4) particle retention for all formation types from 50 µm to 250 µm. Each of the criteria was met or exceeded by the design and construction of the single-layer, helical, lattice-type structure. The device consists of profile-shaped straining members, arranged longitudinally and integrated by elastic support-helices. Typically, the strainer and aperture widths are the same, resulting in 50% flow-area; the normal range is 35-60%. Spacing between the strainer members is maintained by precise lamination techniques used during manufacture.

The screens can be made to any size, wall thickness and material-type. Because half of the tubular is air-space and the actual structural members are made from inexpensive rolled-sheet, advanced materials can be used economically in screen construction. Substantially higher strength, corrosion and abrasion-resistance properties are viable by use of high-stainless, tool steels, tungsten alloys and other materials. The technology is suitable for use with material yield values 200-300% or higher than those of standard OCTG. Almost any sand screen mechanical performance can be attained by continually increasing the material properties, increasing the structure’s wall-thickness, and otherwise tuning the flexibility

Visualization software update

Interactive Network Technologies, Inc., announced the availability of its J/GeoToolkit 3.0, which allows software developers to rapidly deploy sophisticated data visualization and analysis technology in their E&P applications while taking advantage of the ease-of-use and portability of the Java platform across Microsoft Windows, Unix and Linux platforms. Developed for data visualization in upstream oil and gas, the software is a package of Java libraries including support for specialized seismic, well log, contour and well schematic displays. J/GeoToolkit also provides new features such as vector object handling, web support, and integrated hardcopy with print preview (including PDF and CGM output). Components promote code reusability and consistency across applications. This new release includes enhanced capability for Rich Text in labels, added API for tooltips in log displays, support for Java 6, and new demos and tutorials.

Quick-connect coupling

Micromold Products, Inc., has added the only cam-lock, quick-connect coupling made of PTFE to its line of FLUOR-O-FLO PTFE threaded piping system components. This coupling speeds installation by providing points in the system that are independent of thread-tightening angles. It also provides an easy attachment point for components, such as tanks, that must be periodically removed or replaced. The internal FEP-encapsulated silicone O-rings ensure that all wetted parts are fluoropolymeric, ensuring process purity and corrosion resistance in all process conditions. The couplings are available in Schedule 80 pipe sizes from 1/2 in. to 4 in. with male and female NPT thread connection options. The cam locking levers are stainless steel and can be replaced if needed.

Liquid ultrasonic flow meters

Emerson Process Management’s Daniel Series 3800 liquid ultrasonic meters are the first in the industry to use digital intelligence to deliver diagnostics that help users detect and troubleshoot maintenance problems. Beginning with the Daniel Model 3804 liquid ultrasonic meter, the meters are designed for use in custody transfer, allocation measurement, and check metering in areas such as offshore platforms, crude and refined product pipelines, and marketing terminals. The ultrasonic meter accurately measures a wide range of fluids including crude oil, distillate fuels and petrochemicals with +/-0.15% accuracy over a 10:1 flow range. It features a transducer design that includes a glass matching layer for superior acoustical coupling and waveform detection, enabling more exact measurements. The meter utilizes transit time-based measurement along four chords. The four pairs of integrally mounted transducers allow it to maintain high accuracy over widely varying pipeline conditions, including changes in fluids. The non-wetted, intrinsically safe transducers can be replaced during operation in minutes, even in hazardous environments, without the need to empty or depressurize the meter. The entire Series 3800 product line-ranging from 4-in. to 12-in. line sizes in 150 to 900 ANSI classes-uses the same components.

Downhole pump system

The Tex-Jet downhole pump is a unique, artificial two-phase lift system that utilizes bottomhole pressure and gas-injection pressure to move produced fluids up the tubing with no downhole moving parts. The tool and packer are set below the top of the fluid level. Gas pressure is injected down the casing and into the inlets in the tool forcing produced fluids through the production string. No gas lift valves are required. When installed with packer and properly sized gas compressor, the Tex-Jet provides a complete lift system. With no moving parts downhole, the system allows for continuous operation and reduces the need for workovers. It is energy-efficient, eliminates excessive wear on equipment and reduces downtime. With no need for pump jacks, sucker rods, downhole pumps or associated surface equipment, it reduces capital expenses and is environmentally friendly.

Tension-control bolts

RotaBolt tension-control fasteners were chosen for new Open Water Lubricator Valves (OWLV), used on offshore drilling rigs as a safety testing device in open-water riser systems. The new valves are manufactured by international oilfield service company Expro. The valve is a relatively recent development used during the installation and workover of subsea Xmas trees. It typically sits 50-200 m below the rig floor, and allows the introduction and external pressure testing of the downhole tooling string, ensuring that all the elements function correctly and can withstand wellbore pressure prior to installation. The RotaBolt 2 system was selected because it provides a high range of tension control on installation, tightening and in-service checking. It offers two tension settings in a single sensor and features a dual load indicator cap-the outer cap for high tension setting and inner cap for low tension-giving the choice of an operational tension range for overload or maintenance control. The OWLV also allows testing of the riser string and surface well control equipment above it, and provides an additional safety barrier between the subsea wellhead and the drilling rig. Each OWLV is about 132 in. long, has an OD of 24.20 in. and a through bore of up to 7.375 in. Ten RotaBolt 2 fasteners are fitted to the flanges at each end of the OWLV.