Drones, inspection technology and harsh weather drilling tools are to be supported through US$2.04 million (£1.6 million) in funding in the UK under a new technology development organization.
The Oil & Gas Technology Centre (OGTC), set up with government funding, launched four months ago and is already putting cash into projects to develop and deploy new offshore technologies.
To reduce the cost of inspecting and maintaining offshore infrastructure by 50% by 2021, the OGTC is to co-fund the development of a new generation of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and the latest ultrasonic technology to help manage asset integrity.
The organization is working with Air Control Energy to create advanced drones for the remote inspection of oil and gas facilities. Such units could be 20 times faster than traditional inspection techniques and reduce costs by 50% in comparison to rope access methods, says the OGTC.
The body is also working with TRAC Oil & Gas to develop a new electromagnetic method to inspect corroded pipework under insulation and composite wrap materials. Inspection under insulation and composite wrap materials would enable companies to monitor the condition of hidden pipework, saving time and money compared to current approaches.
Finally, the OGTC is also co-funding a project with Deepwater Oil Tools to develop an articulated joint called ArticuLock, which could enable drilling operations in rough weather conditions, saving tens of millions of pounds each year.
The US$224 million centre, funded by the UK and Scottish governments, with match funding expected from industry, has a variety of goals, set out by the Technology Leadership Board. This has seen a set of "solution centers' created, covering asset integrity, well construction, small pools, digital and decommissioning.
Major operators have joined these centers, including Total and Chevron, both of which are, between them, conducting eight offshore technology trials between now and October, which the OGTC is working with them on.
Colette Cohen, Chief Executive of the Oil & Gas Technology Centre said:
“Since our launch in February 2017, we’ve screened almost 200 technologies and have an excellent pipeline of opportunities, with operating companies now facilitating field trials on the UKCS.
“It’s exciting to be able to approve investment in our first three projects and look forward helping these innovative companies take their concepts from early stage development through to deployment in the oil field.”
At the same time, our first ‘Call for Ideas’ to transform well plug and abandonment has closed with 48 potential solutions submitted. Two further calls are ongoing, seeking ideas for using robotics to enhance pressure vessel and tank integrity, and for unlocking the 225 marginal discoveries in small pools across the UKCS.