New products

Vol. 231 No. 7

Large-diameter sidewall coring tool

Baker Hughes has successfully field-tested the industry’s first large-diameter sidewall coring tool offshore Brazil. The MaxCOR coring tool was developed in response to an operator’s request for 1.5-in.-dia. core samples greater than 2 in. in length. During the first field test, 94 cores were recovered in four runs. During a subsequent test at a second exploration area, MaxCOR completed a 54-core program in two runs. Currently, it is the only coring tool capable of recovering large-diameter core samples after a well is drilled to cover intervals either not cored with conventional coring operations or where conventional coring did not achieve 100% recovery. Also, the tool recovers a much larger core in the same time it takes to deploy conventional 1-in. coring tools.

WiFi machinery monitoring

The Multilog WMx online system from SKF is designed to improve machine reliability, reduce installation costs and increase personnel safety in industrial applications. The system is a compact, battery-powered, eight-channel, field-mounted monitoring device that communicates using industry-standard 802.11b/g wireless networking. It collects acceleration, velocity, displacement, temperature and bearing condition data and automatically uploads it for viewing, alarm evaluation and analysis into the SKF Aptitude software. The technology is a complement to traditional “walk-around” predictive maintenance programs. The system requires no wires and carries an ATEX Zone 2 certification, allowing it to be located in hazardous areas. The device is robust and easily relocated, giving it flexibility to monitor moving machine components where hardwiring is not possible, machines that are frequently moved within a facility, or temporary installations to track a suspect problem more frequently. It is available as a turnkey solution or as part of a service contract. Multilog WMx is fully compatible with other SKF portable and online hardware.

High-temperature downhole pump

R&M Energy Systems has launched a new line of Moyno high-temperature downhole pump solutions. The Moyno HTD350 pump has an elastomeric stator that is mechanically secured to the stator tube without using a bonding agent, for greater temperature and chemical resistance. Features include the capability of handling downhole temperatures to 350°F and compatibility with steam-injection applications without removing the stator from the well. Models available include 95 bpd of fluid per 100 rpm and up to 6,000 ft of lift; 275 bpd per 100 rpm and up to 5,400 ft of lift; and 500 bfpd per 100 rpm and up to 4,000 ft of lift.

Compact sonic tool

Weatherford has launched its new Compact Cross-Dipole Sonic (CXD) tool, designed to provide acoustic data in all well types. The system ensures delivery of data that is used in seismic velocity models and a broad range of drilling, completions and production challenges related to rock deformation. The CXD tool is the industry’s only 2.25-in. monopole/cross-dipole sonic tool that can be deployed with or without wireline to acquire compressional, shear-slowness and fast-shear azimuth. The unique profile and memory capability of the CXD provide the ability to acquire high-quality acoustic data in vertical or highly deviated wells with challenging hole conditions using Weatherford’s Assure conveyance options. These allow the tool to be deployed via various methods including wireline, slickline, coiled tubing, through-drillpipe, drop-off and well shuttle.

High-torque connections

The Performance Technology Plus Connection from HDD Rotary Sales is a new increased-torque connection with exceptional tension and fatigue properties. The connection’s increased critical cross-sectional areas and shoulder contact areas create a design that increases the mechanical properties of the connection. It also takes advantage of 135-ksi specified material yield strength to further increase performance. The thread’s large single-root radius reduces peak stresses in the connection, reduces connection stiffness and increases fatigue resistance. The PTech Plus Connection has gone through several forms of testing and design validation, including 3D finite-element analysis of Von Mises stress distribution, torque to failure, multiple make-and-breaks and comparative fatigue testing. The connection design models were numerically analyzed using Ansys X64ed. v11 to show the stress in the connection at both minimum and maximum internal gap tolerances due to makeup torque.

Weatherford has launched its new Compact Cross-Dipole Sonic (CXD) tool, designed to provide acoustic data in all well types. The system ensures delivery of data that is used in seismic velocity models and a broad range of drilling, completions and production challenges related to rock deformation. The CXD tool is the industry’s only 2.25-in. monopole/cross-dipole sonic tool that can be deployed with or without wireline to acquire compressional, shear-slowness and fast-shear azimuth. The unique profile and memory capability of the CXD provide the ability to acquire high-quality acoustic data in vertical or highly deviated wells with challenging hole conditions using Weatherford’s Assure conveyance options. These allow the tool to be deployed via various methods including wireline, slickline, coiled tubing, through-drillpipe, drop-off and well shuttle.

ARKeX, a provider of geophysical imaging services, has launched a new airborne acquisition service called G-Qube. It is designed to fill the gap between conventional airborne gravity surveys and the high-resolution BlueQube surveys. G-Qube uses the same advanced gravity gradiometry technology as BlueQube, but also incorporates conventional gravity measurements. It offers the benefits of conventional airborne gravity with the bandwidth and resolution capabilities of gradiometry, such as offline measurement or sideways capabilities. Intended for regional exploration, G-Qube’s ability to measure longer wavelengths as well as shorter wavelengths gives it four times the resolution of conventional data.

Autonomous drilling rig for extreme environments

Seabed Rig AS has introduced a seabed drilling rig to carry out cost-effective exploration drilling on the seabed, at deep waters and in Arctic areas. The Seabed Rig consists of an encapsulated and pressure-compensated design that ensures an environmentally friendly solution with zero discharge, with the same safety barriers as in conventional drilling. The development is supported by Statoil, the Norwegian Research Council (Petromaks and Demo2000) and Innovasjon Norge. A full-scale prototype of the system is being tested on land in Stavanger.

Centek has launched the UROS, its under-reamed offset centralizer, which incorporates a new design targeted specifically to under-reamed well sections. The UROS significantly reduces initial insertion forces and drag forces on run-in-hole through previously set casing. Once in the open hole, the bows expand to their original outer diameter to maximize standoff. The UROS produces a significant reduction in drag of about 20%, without reducing the strength of the centralizer or its capacity to centralize the casing in the open hole.

Breathing air compressor

The E Kompressor breathing air compressor from E Innovation AS is designed to be user-friendly, secure and able to operate in EX Zone 1. A local gas alert at the end of the air intake triggers an immediate halt if gas values exceed allowable limits. In case of such shutdown of the compressor, the system automatically switches to an internal scuba air tank. The system is 100% oil-free, eliminating the possibility that a faulty oil separator will contaminate the air. A 30-m flexible air duct is used to ensure that the inlet air is collected from an uncontaminated area.

Tetra coverage for hazardous areas

Creowave has introduced the Tetra ATEX repeater to enhance Tetra network coverage in extreme environments. The repeater is designed to enhance the coverage in indoor and outdoor locations as well in hazardous and explosive areas. Its ATEX certification allows use of the repeater in explosive atmospheres. In hazardous areas, there are specified safe areas, meaning areas free from explosive gases. Tetra network coverage can be easily designed for safe areas free from explosive gases, but coverage is sometimes needed in a location away from the safe area. The ATEX-certified repeater is a simple, logical and cost-effective solution. Ideal Tetra coverage can be built far from the base station, enabling consistent communication over the whole area.

Long-life high-pressure seal

A new seal designed for high-pressure, high-velocity applications in oilfield equipment has been introduced by Bal Seal Engineering Inc. The LKS High PV Seal can last up to 150% longer than similar short-lip seals. The company rates the seal for 10,000 hr of service at 100,000 PV (a common measure of operating conditions), and as much as 10 hr at 400,000 PV. In the field, with a medium of heavy oil containing sand, the LKS lasted 9,000 hr at 100 psi and 52 ft/min. The seal consists of a graphite-reinforced PTFE sealing ring and a high-temperature thermoplastic anti-extrusion element as a backup, both designed to contact the moving shaft. A metal locking ring secures the seal in its housing and helps resist rotation. A spring design called the Canted Coil exerts measured force against the inner diameter of the seal and allows it to wear more consistently than traditional designs. The spring maintains a relatively constant force over a wide range of deflection.