New products

Vol. 229 No. 9

Long-life high-pressure pumps

FMC Technologies’ 2400-hp Triplex and 2700-hp Quintuplex Well Service Pump models are high-pressure pumps capable of delivering flowrates up to 50 bbl/min. at pressures up to 20,000 psi. Both models are designed with 250,000-lb rod load. The pumps have been successfully tested 1 million total test cycles at full rod load, a testing procedure that no other pump manufacturer has completed before. Design improvements, developed with the help of key fluid control customers during the initial phases of the project, allow end users to operate the pumps at slower speeds than competitive models. As a result, they generate significantly less wear on critical components, extending service life and reducing total life-cycle cost.

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Subsea remote intervention torque tool

Mako DeepWater, a Houston-based subsea remote intervention service, has introduced the Tiger Shark torque tool. Recognizing that about 50% of all current industry field personnel have less than five years of experience, the tool was developed with a focus on simplicity and reliability. This Class 1-4 torque tool will produce a maximum of 2000 ft-lb. It offers a highly visible mechanical counter resting inside an independent oil-filled housing, which displays in tenths and eliminates the inherent problems associated with batteries and digital counters. The counter was designed as a drop-in cartridge, so that if it fails in the field, ROV technicians can quickly drop in a replacement. The robust design of the 17-4 SSTL hardened latches keep the tool securely locked in place until the pilot chooses to disengage them. In the event of an unforeseen power failure, the spring-loaded latches will retract, allowing for a safe disconnect from the worksite. Additionally, there are two motors, which cover the entire torque range and can be quickly changed out by removing two bolts.

Noise attenuation guide

Flowserve Corp. has released a publication that provides solutions to resolve noise issues in gaseous equipment. Flowserve Gaseous Noise Control is a comprehensive guide to available noise-attenuation technology. The publication provides an in-depth analysis of common noise problems, helps customers choose the effective solutions, and includes explanatory diagrams and product-comparison charts. It is available for free download or by contacting a company representative.

NACE-compliant gauge

Winters’ new NACE-compliant gauge offers instrumentation safety and reliable performance in oil fields. Meeting NACE International Standards MR0175-2002, these robust gauges are suitable for sour gas applications. Winters’ NACE Gauge comes standard with a pressure-release disk, so that in case of failure, pressure is discharged out the back of the gauge. It features a standard laminated safety glass lens for added protection. Built to withstand severe service conditions, the gauge meets the industry’s minimum hardness requirements. An MR0103-2003 NACE-compliant gauge is also available.

Field serviceable check valves

Suitable for use in purge-air, water-injection and liquid-fuel applications, Lee’s new Power Generation Chek Valves are field serviceable, allowing the user to disassemble and service the valve using a rebuild kit. Available with or without a removable, washable Hi-Bar safety screen, the valves are designed according to specific customer requirements and can operate at temperatures up to 450°F. The valves feature a stainless steel poppet design that, in combination with a Vespel seat, allows for both low leakage and high flow. Each valve is 100% tested and inspected.

Productive mud relief valve

The Rupture Pin Model I-A Mud Relief Valve is designed to be used where lost productivity due to downtime is a major drilling concern. The valve will replace shear and spring valves for greater accuracy and reliability. It features a pin system that allows the user to change relief settings by changing the pin.There are 14 set pressure pins available from 500 to 6,000 psi. Fatigue and pulsation do not affect the set pressure of the valve. The pin can be changed by one person in less than a minute.

Wireless IO radio

FreeWave Technologies announced the final release of its FGR2-IOS wireless spread spectrum radio in multiple configurations. The radio and related IO system components complement the company’s existing line of IO radios (FGRIO-M and FGRIO-S). The FGR2-IOS (30VIO) radio provides performance and versatility in wireless transmission of process-control signals. It provides long range, remote control and monitoring of tanks, lifting stations, pumps, flowmeters, fluid levels, water sources, temperatures and pressures used in the oil and gas industries. Eliminating the need for signal wire connections at the master, the FGR2-IOS delivers data from remote analog and digital devices over a wireless link to a remote terminal unit or programmable logic controller. The radio with embedded IO functions is available either as a board-level device or in an enclosure. Both versions operate in one of two modes-modbus and wire replacement. In modbus mode, the radio can be directly connected as an IO peripheral to a SCADA network. For wire replacement (wireless signal replication), the FGR2-IOS can operate as a slave linked to an FGRIO-M (master) radio. The enclosed version also includes switchable and protected internal resistors for convenience when using 4-20mA sensors. Key features include: range of 60 miles with clear line of site; 1-watt output power; 6-30-VDC input voltage; ruggedized enclosure version available with a DIN rail mount or mounting shoe; and compatibility-talks over the air, with FGR serial radios and FGRIO-S radios.

Specialized PDC bits

Hughes Christensen’s Quantec premium PDC drill bits feature a new design process, highly impact- and abrasion-resistant cutters and formation-specific bit designs. Each bit is matched to an operator’s specific task. Engineers developed a group of cutters to push performance in highly abrasive and challenging applications. For extremely abrasive applications, the cutter technology was advanced to significantly increase cutter life and cutting-edge integrity while maintaining high durability. In applications where impact, vibration and interbedded formations shorten cutter life, premium, application-specific cutters maintain a smooth cutting edge longer. A new design philosophy for the Quantec PDC is Diamond Volume Management (DVM). Based on DVM, the increased mechanical and hydraulic efficiency of each bit enables higher ROPs and longer runs. This ultra-stable, light-set technology increases drilling effectiveness without compromising bit and BHA stability. Close attention is given to the ultimate goals of the interval to be drilled so neither ROP nor durability is compromised in the bit design.

Along with other design improvements, engineers included SmoothCut depth-of-cut control technology. Cutter-damaging peak loads-which occur when drilling hard stringers with conventional PDCs-are minimized by balancing the workload over more cutters. Bit reactive torque response is limited without reducing bit aggressiveness and ROP. Bit stability also is enhanced with the Lateral Movement Mitigator (LMM), which reduces bit vibration and increase resistance to whirl. LMM integrates load-balancing cutting structures with chordal drop management.

Control drilling fluid spills

Centek Ltd has introduced the Itsfu Internal Drill String Fill Sub, designed to provide controlled drillstring filling and prevent spillage of well drilling fluids onto the rig floor. Wells are drilled in stands of three joints with an overall length of about 95 ft. Every 10 stands, the drill pipe must be filled with fluid to equalize the pressure inside and outside the pipe. Rigs equipped with top drives make up the threaded end of the top drive into each stand of drill pipe as the pipe is being run into the well. When the top drive is disconnected, drilling fluid bubbles up out of the drill pipe, creating a mess on the rig floor. The Itsfu tool, by comparison, screws quickly and directly onto the drill string. It is still a closed system for filling, but with a telltale that ensures there is no over-displacement or over-pressurization of the string fluid. The driller can also pump at a higher controlled speed. As fill-up begins, the strokes are counted. At around 5% from full, the pumps are stopped. The built-in telltale also allows air in the system to escape to indicate that the string is full. Once the pipe is full, a hose is attached to the telltale and excess fluid is drained off in a controlled manner. When the process is complete, the Itsfu is racked back and is then ready for the next operation. A cement application adaptor is available, which incorporates a foam ball or dart in a specially modified housing that allows for positive displacement when carrying out an inner string cement job. The device is pressure-tested to 5,000 psi and offers a flowrate of 600-1,000 gpm.