Products featured at OTC

Vol. 234 No. 6

Acksys displays new oil and gas solutions

Acksys Communications & Systems outlined for conference attendees a range of communications solutions tailored for oil and gas applications, especially in offshore settings and hazardous areas. With Wi-Fi having become the go-to means of reliable, efficient and affordable high-bandwidth data transfers, Acksys has created a system of products and applications intended to meet the needs of the industry. The company has developed a range of ATEX Wi-Fi access points, Ethernet bridges and Mesh points dedicated to harsh areas.

Atlas Copco introduces new Zone 2 equipment

Atlas Copco revealed the new XAS 375 Zone 2 compressor, which was designed to meet Zone 2 regulations for the offshore industry. The company also announced that the XATS 1600 Zone 2 compressor will be available this summer. The XAS 375 is designed for Zone 2 applications such as starting air (black start), instrumentation or service air, offshore well testing and drilling waste management.

Tenaris reports positive results from field run

Tenaris released a case study on the completion of the company’s first installation of its latest multifunctional coating, used in one of Petrobras’ offshore pre-salt fields. The dry coating, called Dopeless, is applied to pipes post-threading, and is intended to protect against the deepwater conditions. The coating was applied to the TenarisHydril connections before deployment to the exploratory deepwater well. A 1,000-m string, with 22 joints of 18-in. P110 TenarisHydril Wedge 511, and 69 identical joints using Dopeless technology, allowed Petrobras to compare and analyze the dry coating in an operation at a water depth of more than 3,000 ft.

GE Power Conversion introduces new DP system

GE’s Power Conversion business launched the latest version of the company’s Dynamic Positioning (DP) system, introducing a product that is more energy-efficient, better integrated and more “mariner-friendly.” The improvements to the DP system aim to put control back into the hands of the mariner. Using an electric motor impellor for positioning, and a calculator for propulsion, the DP interface is designed for mariners and for onboard decision-makers. The latest DP system uses a combination of satellite feedback and sea floor waves to determine the appropriate thrust for continuous positioning, and is Class 3 redundant. The connectivity of the system focuses on fuel, maintenance and operability, with the potential to save operators up to $300,000 per year in costs by being able to predict position just two minutes into the future.

Balance Point Control introduces new rig assist unit

Balance Point Control Ltd. (BPC), a Superior Energy Services company, introduced its Concentric Snubbing Unit-160 (CSU- 160) rig assist snubbing unit. The CSU-160 is the first fully-remote-operated snubbing unit on the market. BPC also built a complete Zone-1 electric-driven hydraulic powerpack, with four separate drive banks, that minimizes the exposure of personnel to pressurized hydraulic lines. By design, the CSU-160 sits through the rotary table, leaving the rig floor clear for operations, without any limitations by installed snubbing equipment. The controls and valves of the CSU-160 are located in the Master Control Unit (MCU), on the main deck. Connected to the MCU are two exclusive interlocking systems for the slipbowls and strippers. The interlock system for the slipbowls have modes for “heavy,” “light” or “in balance,” and prevents the traveler and stationary slipbowls from opening simultaneously. The other interlock prevents the strippers from opening, should there be a pressure differential.

Caterpillar unveils well stimulation pumps

Caterpillar Global Petroleum launched its Cat well stimulation pumps for the well service market.  Starting in May 2013, Caterpillar began accepting orders for the Cat WS223, a 2,250-bhp (1,678-bkW) triplex well stimulation pump, as well as the Cat WS255, a 2,500-bhp (1864-bkW) quintuplex well stimulation pump. In addition to offering the complete pump, Caterpillar will offer a variety of individual 8-in. and 10-in. stroke fluid ends. A 2,700-hp triplex pump, available in late 2013, was on display, along with several fluid end models.

TESCO introduces new top drive and CRT

Houston-based Tesco Corporation unveiled two new products, which offer different options over the company’s existing line of top drives and casing drive systems. TESCO’s new top drive, the HXI 150t (left) is more powerful than previous models, boasting a pull-down capacity of 25,000 lb.  The extra torque and weight capacity were added with horizontal drilling in mind. The HCCDS, TESCO’s newest casing running tool (right), is a lighter, more compact version of previous models, and can be deployed in smaller rigs.