Fracturing fluid additives
Release of the new OpenFrac family of hydraulic fracturing fluid additive systems was announced by Schlumberger last month. The additive systems can be used for fracturing-stimulation treatments, including applications in challenging, low-permeability formations such as shale and tight gas sands.
According to Schlumberger Well Services president Patrick Schorn, the OpenFrac systems are fully functional and disclosable and provide comparable technical performance to conventional additive systems.
Three variants are available; all are water-based, viscosified fluids and can be mixed with a wide range of reused or recycled water. ‘Following extensive research and testing, we are pleased to bring the unique features of this new technology to a critical market,' Schorn added.
OpenFrac SW formulation is used for slickwater fracturing, where drag reduction and less complex fluid systems are desired. OpenFrac WF is the linear gel variant, offering improved proppant transport characteristics. For crosslinking, Schlumberger said OpenFrac XL offers the advantages of the other two fluids, while creating wider fractures to enable high proppant concentrations and generate high fracture conductivity.
AX-S ready to roll
Expro's new AX-S subsea well intervention system was said to be on the threshold of global commercial availability last month following the signing of a $100 million, multi-year contract with TS Marine Asia Pacific, to supply the Havila Phoenix vessel (right), together with an ROV spread and other associated services, for system deployment.
Remotely operated from the monohull, the AX-S system – pictured during recent dry well testing in Aberdeen (left) – is designed to facilitate rapid and safe deployment on virtually any subsea well in water depths to 10,000ft (OE June). If the supporting vessel must leave location, the system can be left atop the subsea tree after the control umbilical from the vessel is disconnected. The entire intervention system, including wireline tools, wireline winch and fluid injection functions, is deployed onto the subsea wellhead within in a completely self-contained pressure envelope, removing any leak potential, Expro said. A hydraulic plug-pulling tool is incorporated to assist with the challenge of pulling and setting tree crown plugs.
Schilling Robotics is to supply two of its ultra-heavy duty ROVs (pictured right) outfitted with an XE tether management system and fully integrated to support AX-S operations on the Havila Phoenix. The two UHDs and the AX-S system incorporate the same core Schilling subsystems, simplifying operation and maintenance. ‘The integrated systems design enables significant cost-efficiencies, including a reduction in the quantity of spares required for offshore maintenance, saving both customers money,' said Schilling Robotics CEO Tyler Schilling.
Under the nameplate of its 100%-owned Salt Subsea subsidiary, TS Marine plans to open a new regional office in Aberdeen to support the Expro contract and offer services to the European and West Africa regions.
Accelerating design software integration
Intergraph has interfaced Smart 3D (SmartPlant and SmartMarine 3D) design software with GexCon's FLACS explosion analysis software to enable users to analyze the design of their onshore or offshore facilities more quickly and with greater accuracy.
The interface enables Smart 3D models to be imported for analysis and validation within hours or days, says Intergraph, adding: ‘This capability reduces cost and increases model accuracy compared to the typical workflow of re-creating the model within FLACS which can take from one week to several months. The interface enables users to iterate designs options faster, with higher model accuracy, as they can analyze gas dispersion and explosion impacts.'
Innovator innovations
Saipem America has developed new features and technology enhancements to be implemented worldwide on its in-house designed and manufactured ROV fleet. The heavy work class ROV fleet – including the Innovator 150hp and Innovator Leviathan 250hp (pictured) – can work up to 4000m depth.
New features include an in-house developed dynamic positioning system and a redesigned ROV control station built at the Saipem America manufacturing facility.
The company's new iDP system is being tested on Innovator 01 currently onboard the Saipem 7000. In addition to increasing operational safety, it is also expected to increase the range and extend the environmental conditions under which the ROV can operate. Initially, the iDP system will be installed on Innovator 18 and Innovator 12, but there are plans to gradually update all of the vehicles in the ROV fleet.
Superior pilot ergonomics and flexibility are among the features of the new ROV control station, redesigned by Saipem to help reduce pilot fatigue and cut out more noise. As well as making better use of available space to ensure pilots, supervisors and clients have full control of any task, the new-look control station boasts more advanced air conditioning and upgraded audio/video technologies. Innovator 40, a 150hp heavy work class ROV currently deployed in the UK, is the first system to use the redesigned control van.
Other new or upgraded features include a digital video recording system developed by Sonsub for offshore operations; a general purpose ICS (Innovator control system) fully configurable to client requirements; remote diagnostics; extended tether capacity to assist with special pipelay or survey operations, and heavy weather LARS and cursor systems. In addition, every ROV in the fleet is being equipped with a 50hp insulated hydraulic power unit, allowing the pilot to redirect power to subsea tooling operations as needed.
Hot oil treatment to handle blockages . . .
A hydrate liquefying tool rated to 15,000psi has been introduced by the Wood Group Logging Services (WGLS) division to address ice and paraffin blockages in oil & gas production lines with diameters as small as 1in. The Thermal Moderator Tool was recently deployed at a blocked well offshore West Africa.
‘This new tool is portable and can be run in coiled tubing, flowlines and other small-channel transfer systems,' explained WGLS president John Paul Jones. The company had developed the Thermal Moderator Tool, he said, in response to customer requests for a non-chemical solution to eliminate hydrate blockages. ‘It performed well in several test wells and is being used successfully in commercial operations, saving both time and money over traditional methods,' Jones said.
. . . as bespoke filtration reduces umbilical risk
A bespoke filtration solution jointly developed by Champion Technologies and 3M's oil & gas business is said to have significantly reduced the potential risk of costly and time-consuming blockages in a subsea chemical umbilical system recently installed in the North Sea.
The need to deliver chemicals through a 28km subsea umbilical system led to a requirement for production chemicals to be filtered to an exact cleanliness level to minimize the risk of umbilical blockage, explained John Reid, Champion Technologies (UK) area manager. ‘The longer the tieback the more difficult and costly it is to pinpoint and remove any source of obstruction.'
The filtration process implemented for the operation was collectively developed by 3M working in close cooperation with Champion and the operator. 3M BetaKlean filters were identified as the most appropriate for the filtration process and 3M's Cuno Scientific Application Support Services (SASS) provided the laboratory testing services to support the development of a solution that was fit for purpose and agreeable to all parties. 3M also worked closely with Champion Technologies to modify their existing filtration processes to provide a bespoke solution that was fully compatible with the various types of chemicals their filtration equipment would come into contact with.
Windows 7 supporter
The latest release of Aveva Plant, 12.0.SP6, contains a number of new features and performance enhancements including full compatibility with both the 32- and 64-bit Windows 7 platforms.
‘The sophisticated design and visualisation capabilities of Aveva Plant demand a stable operating system environment and our experience with Windows 7 has been very positive,' explained Thierry Vermeersch, Aveva's product strategy manager. ‘With older versions of the Windows operating system no longer supported by Microsoft, or scheduled for support termination soon, Aveva customers can now have the confidence to make a longterm commitment to the Windows 7 platform.'
Peter Brunning, the company's design product manager, said the new release contained significant performance optimisations and new functional extensions. He cited as examples an update of the Open Steel interface, version 2.1, which now manages complex plates and curved members, and support for the Steel Detailing Neutral File (SDNF) format for greater compatibility with third-party steel detailing applications. ‘A native 64-bit implementation of the new Aveva Review 12.1 can now handle much larger models with better performance,' added Brunning.
MULTI-PURPOSE SWIVEL:
The new Inter-M multi-purpose mooring swivel developed by InterMoor can join chains of the same or dissimilar sizes together allowing for 360° rotational freedom while under tension.
A key advantage claimed for the Inter-M Swivel is that it does not require any kenters or joining shackles because it connects directly into studless or common stud-link chain. This lowers costs to the client and saves time during mooring equipment assembly by reducing the number of connections in the system while still providing rotational freedom, claimed InterMoor, an Acteon company.
Alan Duncan, InterMoor's UK managing director, said the swivel design emerged from his company's knowledge of longterm mooring connectors and extensive experience with H-Link and shackle manufacturing, and combines technologies that have been introduced on deepwater and general chain-to-chain connectors.
‘These technological advances make the Inter-M a cutting edge, deeperwater, longer-term mooring swivel that compliments the chain grades being installed or recovered,' Duncan added.
Each Inter-M Swivel is proof load tested to 4731kN (1064 kips), and one in every 25 is taken to extreme break loads to ensure it can withstand 8000kN (1799 kips).
Around 50 of the swivels have been sold to date in the Gulf of Mexico, Alaska and the North Sea.
High-power drives offer easy access
In the first of several planned extensions, Rockwell Automation has extended the power range of its Allen- Bradley PowerFlex 755 AC drives to 450kW/700hp, providing users with advanced diagnostics and increased application flexibility.
According to Rockwell, a key feature of the PowerFlex 755 extended power range drive is its roll-out capability, which allows easy access to the drive for fast installation and maintenance. The drive's modular design helps simplify replacement of drive components, such as cooling fans, circuit boards and major subassemblies. This modularity also allows the drive's converter and control pod to remain in the unit while the inverter is rolled out, so control wiring can remain connected. An additional advantage is the ability for the drive's control pod to be mounted remotely for ease of access to low voltage control and diagnostics.
PROMEF PROJECTS PROLIFERATE:
Brazil's largest shipyard, Estaleiro Atlântico Sul, has started project-detailing on five Promef-related Aframax tankers and a semisumbersible hull with the help of ShipConstructor CAD/CAM software.
Estaleiro Atlântico Sul launched the Suezmax tanker João Cândido, the first vessel in the massive Promef shipbuilding expansion program for Petrobras. Following its successful application for that vessel, the yard is now using ShipConstructor to design and detail three separate Promef-related projects simultaneously: the five Aframax tankers, 10 Suezmax tankers, plus the P-55 offshore semisubmersible hull.
Other Brazilian shipyards and engineering offices utilizing ShipConstructor to address the rapidly expanding demand for vessels to service Brazil's offshore industry include Consunav, Kromav Engenharia, Estaleiro Inace and ETP Engenharia. To address the growing demand for workers trained to use this Canadian AutoCAD-based shipbuilding CAD/CAM application, local representative Bruno França noted that Estaleiro Atlântico Sul donated 40 ShipConstructor licences to the technical college IFPE (Instituto Federal de Educaçâo, Ciéncia e Tecnologia de Pernambuco).
‘ShipConstructor is far easier to learn than competing software,' he added.
Optimizing workover schedules
Repsol subsidiary YPF has acquired a second Actenum Rig Activity Scheduler software licence for scheduling all pulling rigs and workover activities.
The second licence builds on YPF's use of Actenum Rig Activity Scheduler to manage drilling scheduling, starting in 2008. For workover scheduling, E&P operations will use the system to automatically create schedules for over 200 activities per year, based on important technical and business constraints, such as well integrity, equipment availability, cost, and production output.
Deployment is expected to be completed in Q3 2010.
Super Mohawk set for Singapore . . .
Singaporean marine contractor Coretech Resources takes delivery of its first general-purpose inspection class ROV this month. The 600m free swimming Super Mohawk system, supplied by Sub-Atlantic Asia Pacific on an expedited delivery schedule, will allow Coretech to perform pipeline survey and platform inspections and light subsea intervention tasks from any of its vessels.
Chosen for its high power to weight ratio, hydraulic systems and its ability to carry out light work-class tasks such as torque tool operations, flooded member detection and marine growth removal, the system comes equipped with 600m of neutral umbilical, hydraulic power pack, dual 5-function manipulators, survey sensors, multiple camera and sensor interfaces, lock latch, plus a tooling skid complete with additional buoyancy.
. . . as Kreuz goes deeper
SMD has a contract from Kreuz Subsea of Singapore for the supply of two Quasar workclass ROV systems (pictured) both rated to 2000m water depth. The deal also includes the option for another two systems, potentially 3000m-rated, which Kreuz Subsea, originally part of the Swiber Group, will use to target deepwater potential in the Asia Pacific region and beyond.
The systems, both 125hp Quasar general purpose work-class ROVs suited to drill support, survey and construction tasks, also include SMD's Compact Tophat TMS and an SMDdesigned 8t A-frame LARS.
Tubulars under the microscope
A team from Dundee University's school of engineering, physics & mathematics has been awarded two grants totaling almost £300,000 from Britain's Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) to optimise the performance and reliability of tubular connections.
Working in collaboration with Hunting Energy Services, the team, led by Dr Huirong Le from the mechanical engineering department, will test existing design and coating products and develop future technologies.
The team will examine the friction/anti-galling performance of the pipe connections which plays such an important role in deepwater well integrity. They will also design a dry compound to permit nonlubricated make-ups to replace the grease conventionally used to enable operations in extreme conditions.
pH sensor for harsh environments
A new ‘four in one' pH sensor from Yokogawa is designed to offer virtually maintenancefree operation and long sensor life – especially in harsh applications involving severe temperature and pressure fluctuations.
The Yokogawa FU24 incorporates a patented bellows system which automatically compensates for the detrimental effect of pressure fluctuations on sensor operation. Such variations can initiate a pumping effect resulting from the expansion and shrinkage of the gel or liquid inside the sensor, allowing process liquid ingress into the sensor with the result that the reference voltage – and hence the pH measurement – starts to drift.
In the new sensor, pressure fluctuations are automatically compensated by the built-in bellows up to 10bar, making the sensor virtually insensitive to pressure variations, claims Yokogawa. A positive overpressure maintained by the tension in the bellows generates a steady flow out of the sensor.
Brazilian charts
Jeppesen and Brazil's Directorate of Hydrography & Navigation (DHN) have reached an agreement giving Jeppesen access to all of the nautical charts and data published by DHN for Brazil's sovereign waters.
The agreement, signed through Empresa Gerencial de Projetos Navais (Emgepron), will allow Jeppesen to use DHN's high-quality nautical charts and data in its marine navigation products for both commercial and light marine users.
In addition, the two are discussing under a letter of intent the use of Jeppesen dKart tools and software by DHN to digitize and automate the production of notices to mariners, list of lights and other aids to navigation.
Admiral Luiz Fernando Palmer Fonseca, director of the Brazilian Hydrographic Service, said: ‘The agreement with Jeppesen will allow broadening the scope of products for navigation and, in doing so, will support our mission, and increase integrity of nautical products.' OE
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