Logic Sequence Prevents Launching Devices Downhole Out of Sequence

Author(s):  
Ricardo de Lepeleire ◽  
Nicolas Rogozinski ◽  
Hank Rogers ◽  
Daniel Ferrari

Within the oil and gas industry, significant costs are often incurred by the operating company during the well-construction phase of drilling operations. Specifically, the operators cost to drill a well can cost tens or hundreds of millions of USD. One specific area where significant changes in drilling operations have occurred is in the offshore environment, specifically operations from mobile offshore drilling units (MODUs). With the ever-increasing demand for oil and gas, operators globally have increased drilling budgets in an effort to meet forecasted demand. However, the increased budgets are often eroded or offset by increasing drilling costs. Therefore, operators are continually in search of new technology, processes, or procedures to help improve drilling operations and overall operational efficiencies. One Latin America operator identified a common operation as a possible area where operational cost could be easily reduced through the implementation of systems that allow the manipulation of valve manifolds remotely. Additionally, operating such valve manifolds remotely enhanced operational safety for personnel, which was an equally important consideration. This paper details the evaluation of existing equipment and procedures and a process used to develop a new remote-control system using a machine logic control (MLC) that has been designed, built, tested, and deployed successfully on MODUs operating in Latin America.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gunnar Ulland ◽  
Gunnar Hilsen ◽  
Stefano Croatto

Abstract Subsea wellhead systems have a design fatigue life that is expected to withstand the damage incurred from stress caused by cyclic loading during its operation. Wellhead fatigue is a critical factor when drilling offshore wells because the condition of the wellhead determines the length of time drilling activities can be carried out safely. The presence of the BOP on top of the wellhead affects fatigue life. Initially, these units were designed for 6-in. and 10-in. diameter casing and weighed slightly less than 1,400 lb. [ASME, 2003) Over time, BOPs evolved, and today's units are considerably larger and heavier than their predecessors, weighing in at approximately 400 metric tons. This increase in size and weight on the wellhead negatively impacts fatigue life. In recent years, the oil and gas industry has begun to look for ways to reduce wellhead fatigue to extend the life of the wellhead and expand the margins for safe drilling operations. A new ROV-operated Wellhead Load Relief (WLR) system, developed specifically to mitigate fatigue, uses special tensioners that are tethered individually to the BOP. Each tensioner contains a hydraulic spooling unit with a lock- and-pull mechanism that allows the ROV to tighten adjustable tethers subsea, pulling them from slack to a maximum tension of 35 metric tons. This approach to installation is a departure from common industry practice, which necessitates the configuration of the predetermined tether lengths on the topside. The ROV-operated WLR system described in this paper is a compact, high-capacity BOP tethering system suitable for both template and seabed anchoring. It provides a new and efficient way of tethering the BOP to avoid wellhead fatigue and delivers additional benefits that include minimized HSE risk, a smaller deck spread, decreased deployment time, and a smaller crew. The WLR system was operated subsea for the first time in December 2019. By precisely tensioning each tether and limiting the load transferred to the wellhead, the WLR significantly lessened wellhead fatigue, resulting in an almost complete halt in BOP movement. This new technology enables the operator to make optimal use of the fatigue life of the wellhead without compromising efficiency or safety.


Author(s):  
Maria V Clavijo ◽  
Adriana M Schleder ◽  
Enrique Lopez Droguett ◽  
Marcelo R Martins

Currently, a Dynamic Position (DP) System is commonly used for offshore operations. However, DP failures may generate environmental and economic losses; thus, this paper presents the Reliability, Availability and Maintainability (RAM) analysis for two different generations of DP system (DP2 and DP3) used in drilling operations. In addition to the RAM analysis, the approach proposed herein considers the uncertainties present in the equipment failure data and provides more information about criticality equipment ratings and probability density functions (pdf) of the repair times. The reliability analysis shows that, for 3 months of operation, the total failure probability of the DP2 system is 1.52% whereas this probability for the DP3 system is only 0.16%. The results reveal that the bus-bar is the most critical equipment of the DP2 system, whereas the wind sensor represents the priority equipment in the DP3 system. Using 90% confidence level, each DP configuration was evaluated for a 1-year operation, finding a reliability mean equal to 70.39% and 86.77% for the DP2 system and the DP3 system, respectively. The DP2 system asymptotic availability tends to present a constant value of 99.98% whereas for the DP3 system, it tends to be 99.99%. Finally, the maintainability analysis allows concluding that the mean time for system repair is expected to be 3.6 h. This paper presents a logical pathway for analysts, operators, and reliability engineers of the oil and gas industry.


Author(s):  
Veronica Ferrara ◽  
Lars E. Bakken ◽  
Stefano Falomi ◽  
Giuseppe Sassanelli ◽  
Matteo Bertoneri ◽  
...  

In the last few years wet compression has received special attention from the oil and gas industry. Here, the development and implementation of new subsea solutions are important focus areas to increase production and recovery from existing fields. This new technology will contribute to exploitation of small and remote fields and access in very deep water. In this regard liquid tolerance represents a viable option to reduce the cost of a subsea compression station bringing considerable simplification to the subsea process itself. However, the industry may experience some drawbacks: the various levels of liquid presence may create operational risk for traditional compressors; the liquid may cause mechanical damage because of erosion and corrosion of the internal units and the compressor performance might be affected too. The experimental investigation conducted in the study considers dry and wet conditions in a laboratory setup to understand how the presence of liquid influences the stage performance. The test campaign has been carried out at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NTNU, in Trondheim, to assess the performance and operating range of a tridimensional impeller when processing a mixture of gas and liquid phases. Experimental results allowed validating the OEM internal prediction code for compressors’ performance in wet conditions. Finally, the effect of liquid on machine operability has been assessed through a left-limit investigation by means of dynamic pressure probes readings in order to evaluate the stall/surge behaviour for different values of liquid mass fraction.


2020 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 654
Author(s):  
Graeme Ross

Due to increasing demand for energy around the world, the prevalence of global megaprojects within the oil and gas industry is increasing. Process pipes, valves and vessels may be manufactured and coated in China or Korea, where labour costs are comparatively low, before being transported to the final project location, such as Western Australia. During the transport and fabrication phase, coated steelwork may spend months or even years exposed to harsh offshore or coastal environments before going into service. This means coatings must be able to provide protection throughout an extensive construction phase, in addition to the in-service lifetime of the steel. This paper examines the demands on high temperature performance coatings both before and once in service. Test methodology and exposure data are reviewed with a focus on how modern aluminium pigmented silicone coatings provide a solution to the corrosion challenges faced in global megaprojects.


Author(s):  
Grethe O. Ose ◽  
Trygve J. Steiro

Abstract Integrated operations (IO) is an ongoing change process in the oil and gas industry. New technological opportunities enable working in new ways that involve an integration of onshore and offshore personnel. This paper analyzes the results of two rounds of data gathering in an onshore drilling support center, in terms of the development of resilience. The first round took place in 2004/2005 and the second in 2012. This study presents a framework for the analysis of resilience and has used the case company as a mean of testing the framework. Our findings indicate that the support center has taken a huge step in the direction of becoming more resilient. The drilling company has tested a number of designs and sizes of support centers, each of which has different pros and cons. For the drilling discipline to develop resilience, it is essential that the number of rigs supported by a center is not too large, as they must not become involved in too many rigs and drilling operations. Our findings also indicate that the suggested framework provides a good overall picture of the development of resilience in the case company.


Author(s):  
Ho Minh Kha ◽  
Nguyen Thanh Nam ◽  
Vo Tuyen ◽  
Nguyen Tan Ken

The gas-liquid cylindrical cyclone (GLCC) separators is a fairly new technology for the oil and gas industry. The current GLCC separator, a potential alternative for the conventional one, was studied, developed, and patented by Chevron company and Tulsa University (USA). It is used for replacing the traditional separators that have been used over the last 100 years. In addition, it is significantly attracted to petroleum companies in recent years because of the effect of the oil world price. However, the behavior of phases in the instrument is very rapid, complex, and unsteady, which may cause the difficulty of enhancing the performance of the separation phases. The multiple recent research shows that the inlet geometry is probably the most critical element that influences directly to the performance of separation of phases. Though, so far, most of the studies of GLCC separator were limited with the one inlet model. The main target of the current study is to deeply understand the effect of different geometrical configurations of the circular inlet on performances of GLCC by the experimental method for two phases flow (gas-liquid). Two different inlet configurations are constructed, namely: One circular inlet and two symmetric circular inlets. As a result, we propose the use of two symmetric circular inlets to enhance separator efficiency because of their effects.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Ramon ◽  
Tony Wooley ◽  
Kyle Martens ◽  
Amy Farrar ◽  
Seth Fadaol

Abstract The culture of safety within the oil and gas industry has undergone an evolution since the advent of significant E&P operations in the late 1800s. The initial focus on safety was to protect property, not people. This mentality has shifted over time to include a greater focus on the safety of personnel, in parallel with technology developments that have pushed the limits of operators’ and service providers’ abilities to drill and complete more complicated wells. The safety efforts introduced to date have yielded results in every major HS&E category; however, falls and dropped objects continue to be areas in need of improvement. During cementing rig up and operations there are still many manual activities that require working at heights in the derrick. New technological advances have allowed the industry to reduce the number of hands-on activities on the rig and operators have moved to eliminate these activities by automating operations. Man lifting operations are recognized as a high-risk activity and, as such, many rigs require special permitting. During cementing operations, not only are personnel lifted into hazardous positions, but they are usually equipped with potential dropped objects. Some of these objects, if dropped, reach an impact force that could seriously injure or, in worst cases, result in a fatality. During these operations, personnel are also hoisted along with a heavy cement line in very close proximity. This introduces other dangers such as tangling, pinch points, and blunt force trauma. These risks are heavily increased when working in adverse conditions, such as high winds or rough seas. By utilizing a wireless cement line make up device, along with wireless features on a cement head to release the darts/plugs/balls and operate the isolation valves, an operator can eliminate the need for hands-on intervention. This paper will discuss current cement head technologies available to the operator that allow them to improve safety and efficiencies in operational rig time. Three field studies will be presented that detail running cement jobs with all functions related to the wireless attributes of the cement head. The field studies will present the operational efficiencies achieved by utilizing the wireless features compared to the standard manual method. Before the recent introduction of a wireless cementing line make-up device, a wireless cement head still required hands-on intervention to rig up the tools, putting people in high-risk situations.


2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J. Schlosser ◽  
M.. Johe ◽  
T.. Humphreys ◽  
C.. Lundberg ◽  
J. L. McNichol

Abstract The Oil and Gas industry has explored and developed the Lower Shaunavon formation through vertical drilling and completion technology. In 2006, previously uneconomic oil reserves in the Lower Shaunavon were unlocked through horizontal drilling and completions technologies. This success is similar to the developments seen in many other formations within the Williston Basin and Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin including Crescent Point Energy's Viewfield Bakken play in southeast Saskatchewan. In the Lower Shaunavon play, the horizontal multistage completion era began in 2006, with horizontal divisions of four to six completion stages per well that utilized ball-drop sleeves and open-hole packers. By 2010, the stage count capabilities of ball-drop systems had increased and liners with nine to 16 stages per well were being run. With an acquisition in 2009, Crescent Point Energy began operating in the Lower Shaunavon area. The acquisition was part of the company's strategy to acquire large oil-in-place resource plays. Recognizing the importance that technology brings to these plays, Crescent Point Energy has continuously developed and implemented new technology. In 2009, realizing the success of coiled tubing fractured cemented liners in the southeast Saskatchewan Viewfield Bakken play, Crescent Point Energy trialed their first cemented liners in the Lower Shaunavon formation. At the same time, technology progressed with advancements in completion strategies that were focused on fracture fluids, fracture stages, tool development, pump rates, hydraulic horsepower, environmental impact, water management, and production. In 2013, another step change in technology saw the implementation of coiled tubing activated fracture sleeves in cemented liner completions. Based on field trials and well results in Q4 2013, Crescent Point Energy committed to a full cemented liner program in the Lower Shaunavon. This paper presents the evolution of Crescent Point Energy's Lower Shaunavon resource play of southwest Saskatchewan. The benefits of current completion techniques are: reductions in water use, increased production, competitive well costs, and retained wellbore functionality for potential re-fracture and waterflooding programs.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 2157-2178
Author(s):  
David Oluwasegun Afolayan ◽  
Adelana Rasak Adetunji ◽  
Azikiwe Peter Onwualu ◽  
Oghenerume Ogolo ◽  
Richard Kwasi Amankwah

AbstractSuccessful drilling operations are dependent on the properties of the drilling fluid used to drill wells. Barite is used as a weighting agent during the preparation of drilling fluid. Over the years, oil and gas industry in Nigeria has been depending mainly on imported barite for drilling operations, whereas the country has huge deposits of barite. There is the need to assess the properties of the locally sourced barite for their suitability in drilling fluid formulation. This study presents the local processing methods of barite and examines the crude and on-the-site processed barite’s physio-chemical properties. These parameters were compared with American Petroleum Institute and Department of Petroleum Resources standards. XRD results show that on-the-site beneficiated barite has 87.79% BaSO4, 6.66% silica, 0.03% total soluble salt, 1.39% Fe2O3, and 1.603% heavy metals. Chemical analysis indicated that the pH, moisture content, metallic content such as Ca, Pb, Zn, Mg, Cu, and Cd minerals, and extractable carbonates were within the standard specified for usage as a drilling fluid weighting agent. The analysed crude barite samples were basic, within the pH of 8.3 and 8.6. Locally processed barite has lower Fe, Pb, Cd, and Cu content compared to industrially accepted barite. The specific gravity increased from 4.02 ± 0.07 to 4.15 ± 0.13, and the hardness reduced potentially from 5 Mohr to 3.5 Mohr on the hardness scale. The amount of impurities was sufficiently low, and the specific gravity of the samples improved to meet the needs of any drilling operation and compare favourably with industrially accepted barite.


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