EXTREME OUTDOOR WELDING MADE EASIER WITH NEW GAS-SHIELDED, FLUX CORED WIRE
In response to welder needs, Lincoln Electric Company has launched four new gas-shielded, flux-cored wires to its UltraCore product line to offer an alternative to welders working on these high-strength, low-alloy applications.
These new UltraCore Nickel 1 flux-cored wires are ideal for bridge fabrication, offshore, structural fabrication, weathering steels, petrochemical and automotive applications and replace traditional stick welding.
One example is the UltraCore Nickel 1 - Ni1 A75-H - wire replaces stick electrodes for added efficiency and increased productivity in bridge fabrication, offshore work (including demanding NACE applications) and structural fabrication. It is designed for high-strength, low-alloy applications using a 75% Argon/25% CO2 mix.
VETCOGRAY WINS GORGON UPSTREAM PROJECT CONTRACT
VetcoGray, a GE Oil & Gas business, has been awarded a frame agreement covering a period of five years to supply subsea equipment and support services for the Gorgon Project. The project includes the subsea development of the Greater Gorgon gas fields, about 130 km off the northwest coast of Western Australia, in water depths of 200-1,300 m. The fields will be linked to a three-train, 15-MMtpy LNG facility, with provision for domestic gas production on Barrow Island. Chevron Australia Pty Ltd of Perth is 50% owner and operator of the Gorgon Project in a joint venture with the Australian subsidiaries of ExxonMobil and Shell.
LIEBHERR INTRODUCES NEW HEAVY-LIFT OFFSHORE CRANE
The new Liebherr type MTC 78000 is one of the biggest offshore slewing cranes available worldwide, and was designed using conventional anti-friction bearing technology. Featuring a maximum dynamic moment of 78,000 mt, the crane is the most powerful machine offered by the Liebherr group of companies. The MTC 78000 achieves a maximum lifting capacity of 1,600 t at up to 35-m radius. This corresponds to a maximum dynamic moment of 78,000 mt, with the crane able to slew over 360°. At a maximum radius of 74 m for the main hoist, the crane achieves a lifting capacity of almost 530 t. Boom length is 87 m. In addition to the main hoist, it also offers two auxiliary hoists with lifting capacities of up to 500 t and 50 t, respectively.
RUGGED TABLET PC UPGRADES
Panasonic Computer Solutions Co. has introduced upgrades to its Panasonic Toughbook 19 rugged convertible tablet computer. The Toughbook 19F convertible tablet PC joins Toughbook 30F clamshell notebook with its incorporation of the Core 2 Duo processor and expanded memory capabilities. The 5.1-lb Toughbook 19 also offers an optional integrated camera for use in inspection and incident documentation. These MIL-SPEC-certified notebooks incorporate features such as magnesium alloy cases, sealed keyboards and ports, hard drive heaters, flexible internal connectors and shock-mounting. Both the convertible tablet and the notebook include an anti-glare, anti-reflective sunlight viewable display, WiFi 802.11a/b/g, Bluetooth, a mobile broadband-ready (WWAN) design, along with backlit keyboard, GPS wireless and many more options.
WEATHERFORD/STATOILHYDRO AGREEMENT EXPANDED
The three-year technology development cooperation agreement between StatoilHydro ASA and Weatherford has been extended to a Joint Industry Project (JIP) to include Shell, Total and Woodside Energy Ltd. The JIP covers development of new optical-based in-well sensing and subsea communication systems to extend the life of oil and gas fields.
GUIDED RADAR INSTRUMENT CONTROLS LIQUIFIED GAS LEVEL
A major chemical plant in the US asked Endress+Hauser to propose a reliable level-measurement solution for the control of Butane Diol at operating conditions of 270 bar, peaking to 400 bar and 400°C. Previously, the company had used displacer systems, which suffered from solid catalyst particles within the Butane Diol and caused the displacers to be unreliable and very maintenance intensive. Endress+Hauser Texas recommended the replacement of the displacer by guided radar Levelflex. The existing bypass chamber of the displacer could be used. Levelflex is radar that emits an electromagnetic pulse along a guiding steel rod or wire towards the media level to be measured. The pulses are reflected by the media surface, received by the transmitter and converted into level information, a method known as time domain reflectrometry (TDR). The high-pressure and temperature version of Levelflex provides a secondary compartment for high media pressure and is rated SIL2. Performance is not affected by change of media, media density, pressure or temperature and is widely unaffected by build-up on the rod/wire.
BMT GROUP ACQUIRES ARGOSS
BMT Group Ltd announced its acquisition of ARGOSS, a specialist provider of marine environmental information services. ARGOSS provides downtime analysis and feasibility studies using in-house models and databases of waves, wind and tides, and also offers solutions for the mapping and monitoring of water quality, bathymetry and coastal morphology through the use of satellite observations. All these services will be linked and integrated with specific applications software from BMT. Collaboration between the two companies has been ongoing for a number of years, and includes a variety of projects in different markets.
LIOS TECHNOLOGY WINS DTS CONTRACT
LIOS Technology GmbH has been awarded a five-year contract by a major operator in the Far-East. LIOS Technology, a specialist in Distributed Temperature Sensing (DTS) systems for oil and gas exploration, was awarded the contract after a successful two-year field evaluation period. The systems offer the ability to provide a reliable, nonintrusive means of continuous temperature logging of wells, enabling full coverage of complex and multilateral wells with a single fiberoptic cable. The DTS continuously monitors the temperature of the cable at all points along its entire length. LIOS is the first DTS supplier with an approved WITSML data interface, which ensures compatible data streams on TCP/IP level of distributed temperature profiles, backscattering profiles and event data. The systems are offered with integrated protocol converter, technologies to safely transfer data and enable its integration into customized database structures, so that engineers in the office can monitor the status of their wells live.
HIGH FLOW PUMPS AND STEEL TORQUE WRENCHES
Power Team has introduced the Predator series, its line of high-performance hydraulic pumps and tools for the bolting industry. The new generation of electric torque wrench pumps feature much higher flow and automatic cycle operation for higher productivity. The pumps can be operated continuously, and also feature low-amperage operation and low sound level. In addition to the hydraulic pumps are the new steel square-drive and low-clearance torque wrenches, featuring more efficient and faster operation in an envelope size that is two-thirds the size of aluminum wrenches, allowing the tool to be used in limited space, but with comparable in weight.
ORBITAL WELDING POWER SUPPLY
Swagelok Co. has released of the M200 welding system power supply, which offers ease of use, portability and 200-amp capability, all at less than 50 lb. A high-resolution, 12.1-in. color touch screen gives users an intuitive pathway to enter weld programs. Users can choose from one of three forms to enter weld programs, including automatic weld schedule programming. The system’s automatic shield gas control simplifies set-up of shielding gas, so that a separate flowmeter is not required. Multi-language capability is built in for English, French, German, Spanish, Japanese, Korean and Chinese (simplified and traditional).
RUGGED PRESSURE SWITCHES
United Electric Controls has introduced two pressure switch models within its line of all-stainless-steel 12 Series products. The P4 and P9 models have an adjustable set point range up to 12,500 psig-among the highest settable pressure ranges available for a mechanical pressure switch. Designed for high-pressure oil and gas drilling and safety shutdown, the Class I, Div. 1 rated pressure switch is UL approved and ATEX certified.
HÄGGLUNDS DRIVES ACQUIRES RINEER HYDRAULICS
Hägglunds Drives Inc., a supplier of hydraulic motors and complete drive systems, has signed an agreement to acquire the assets and operations of Rineer Hydraulics Inc. through an asset purchase. Rineer Hydraulics manufactures and sells hydraulic motors for many different applications, including oil and gas drilling, off-road equipment, agricultural applications, pump drives and various mobile equipment applications. Rineer’s headquarters will remain in San Antonio, Texas, where it has about 80 employees.
SCHLUMBERGER INTRODUCES NEW COILED-TUBING SERVICES
Schlumberger announced the release of the ACTive family of live downhole coiled-tubing services to elevate the performance, efficiency and results of coiled-tubing operations in various types of well configurations. 
|
