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Vol. 230 No. 6 |
Mechanical pipe cutterBaker Atlas has introduced the Mechanical Pipe Cutter (MPC), an electro-mechanical pipe-cutting tool that provides precise downhole cutting without damage to external tubulars. The tool does not use ballistics or hazardous chemicals. Cutting and penetration are measured continuously, confirming that the cut has been made and external tubulars or control lines are not damaged. The MPC’s temperature and pressure ratings allow work in hotter and deeper environments. Features include surface monitoring of cut penetration and CPU control for precision. The cutter is transportable in two 10-ft sections, and runs on any single-conductor electric wireline. It can cut steel and alloy pipe, and produces minimal debris. Multiple cuts can be made per trip, with no circulation holes required. MPC can cut pipe from 27/8-in. to 41/2-in., up to 0.75-in. wall thickness. It is rated to 400°F and 20,000 psi.
Collaboration platform for E&P companies Petris Technology Inc. has announced PetrisWINDS OneTouch, a system designed to help E&P organizations make faster and more accurate decisions by bringing users and data together through a web-based work space and data environment. The system integrates the Microsoft Office SharePoint and ESRI geographic information system with the PetrisWINDS Enterprise framework, a Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) that provides open and accessible information from any data source. The system includes a hosted E&P Web Part Gallery for customers to access and contribute UI designs and business intelligence. The online gallery is searchable, and the company provides technical guidelines, based on portal standards, to ensure shareable functionality between companies and to permit connection to in-house and public back-end services. Both SharePoint and OneTouch deployments are highly configurable.
Slim-hole sand screen
Alloy Screen Works has introduced the ASW/CT Premium Screen, developed specifically for thru-tubing completion applications. New technology has resulted in a close-tolerance method of construction that produces a slim-hole screen, which surpasses the specifications of thru-tubing screens currently available. The design involves the use of diffusion-bonded sintered-laminate woven wire mesh combined with a robust outer perforated protective shroud over a perforated base tube. The media is welded flush-on directly to the inner perforated tube of the screen assembly. This integrated process enhances screen strength and reduces the overall OD when coupled to the close-tolerance outer shroud.
Clamp-on sonar meteringExpro has launched a new metering technology for measuring flowrates. ActiveSONAR is a clamp-on sonar technology that can be retrofitted to a wide range of applications in the upstream and downstream oil and gas industry. The new meters use pulsed-array sonar technology. The non-intrusive, clamp-on design enables them to be deployed on new or existing installations, and inherently lowers both the technical risks and operating costs of flow measurement. Sonar flow measurement uses sonar-array processing technology to measure volumetric flowrates within pipes by determining the speed at which naturally occurring, coherent flow structures flow past an array of sensors clamped onto the outside of the pipe. Specifically, the technology leverages the beam-forming techniques, originally developed for underwater acoustics, to determine the location of sound sources. The mettering system is applicable to both single-phase and two-phase flows.
Interactive inspection program
Knight Oil Tools has introduced a new interactive quality-assurance program called KIP. This touch-screen computer system allows technicians and inspectors to retrieve technical data, review reference material and record inspection results from the shop floor. The program walks inspectors through each step of the process, while the system records critical data and prompts users to enter information and approve components. Any questions about the correct part or tool to use are answered in text and video formats directly on the workstation. The program provides clear notation of inspection results, easier access to information and schematics, and multi-language formats.
Jack-up maintenance access system
The Palfinger Jack-Up Maintenance Platform (JUMP) system offers safer, more reliable and more efficient access to the leg. It is designed to allow inspection and maintenance work such as blasting, painting and steel repairs. Driven by an onboard diesel-powered HPU, the system requires no external power source from the rig. Configurations include telescopic cranes, aerial platforms, supply and rescue platforms, full enclosure and ancillary power for hand tools, lighting, etc. JUMP is designed to provide access to different models of jackups. The climbing mechanism is adaptable to opposable or single racks, and triangular or square lattice leg types, and the modular design can be configured for different leg sizes and designs.
Controlled rescue device DBI-SALA introduced the Roll-gliss R500 rescue and escape device. The system offers controlled descent, self-rescue, emergency evacuation and assisted rescue with lifting capabilities. It is fully automatic, provides fast rescue and is versatile and durable. The system features controlled descent speeds of 2–3 ft/s. The bidirectional design allows one end of the lifeline to descend while the other ascends to prepare for another rescue. It is compact and lightweight, and can be positioned and installed quickly.
High-speed, data-intensive processing
Spansion Inc.’s EcoRAM Solution delivers a 60× performance improvement to the oil and gas industry for visualization and other read-intensive applications. EcoRAM reduces the processing time of multi-terabyte datasets and makes visualization of 512-gigabytes datasets possible from typical x86 servers. The system is designed to enable very high-density main memory of up to half a terabyte in standard servers with low power consumption and high performance. By providing up to eight times the memory capacity of x86 servers, EcoRAM-enabled servers are capable of storing enormous amounts of data close to the CPU to enable high-speed processing. The solution can be considered a flash-memory-based DRAM alternative.
Insert safety valve
Engineering services and products specialist Caledyne announced the successful qualification of a second size of its Torus insert safety valve, adding a 41/2-in. version to the existing 27/8-in. The valve allows a central conduit—hydraulic, electrical or fiber optic—to pass through the core, which then allows installation of artificial lift or downhole monitoring in existing wells without requiring a full workover. Typical applications of the valve include liquid loading, chemical stimulation to prevent scale buildup, injection of corrosion inhibitors, downhole monitoring and insert gas lift. A rotational umbilical may also be installed through the valve. Benefits of the technology include: optimized design to reduce part count and complexity; minimal number of pressure seals, reducing potential leak paths; and modular design, allowing the same basic valve to be configured to accept different penetrators. The system can also be fitted on coiled tubing for hanger applications, such as insert electric submersible pumps.
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