At the session “Pumps and Pipes Innovation in the Oilfield and Cardiovascular Medicine” at OTC 4 May, experts explained how interestingly the medical and energy sectors use similar technologies.
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Image from OTC. |
“This ongoing research initiative by ExxonMobil, Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center and the University of Houston explores possibilities for technical collaboration, especially in the subject of flow assurance,” said Alan Lumsden, medical director, Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center. “We all work with tubes, blockages and imaging.”
“For example, drilling technology is no different to an atherectomy device for opening blood vessels,” explained advisory board member Rustom Mody, vice president technology, Baker Hugh.
“Applying pig technology to an endoluminal ultrasound sectional imaging of blood vessels have similarities too. Crossover technology between industries is beneficial and is the next competitive advantage,” Mody added.
In the “Advances in Flexible Pipe Technology” discussion, oil and gas companies addressed how inspection technologies are being applied to manage risks during operation and improve design application.
“One such technology is the Anti-H2S layer for flexible pipes, as it functions like a continuous leak proof shield,” said Technip’s Polymer Material Engineer, Mathieu Chirat. It helps to reduce overall structure weight of up to 30%, plus mitigate risk against potential well souring, which leads to corrosion.”
Geotechnical engineer, Arash Zakeri from BP America noted, “Well fatigue analysis is also a critical aspect for the integrity assurance of deepwater riser well systems.
Fatigue damage arises from stress changes, therefore a soil response modeling of conductor-soil interaction should determine the stress changes, as well as fatigue damage.”
-Audrey Raj
In Active Arena: The Next Energy Hot Spots, representatives from several oil and gas producing nations lined up to speak about investment opportunities in their respective countries. Notable was speaker Joao Carlos de Luca, president, IBP (Brazilian institute of petroleum, gas and biofuels), who noted that Brazil is attempting to open itself to further foreign investment, and is willing to make changes to ease its production sharing contract terms, local content requirements and its fiscal and regulatory regimes.
De Luca told the crowd that IBP wants Brazil to have more, regular bid rounds. And bills currently being considered by the country’s congress would simplify local content requirements to reflect current market realities. As for the pre-salt, he would like to see multiple owners be able to come in.
-Audrey Leon
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