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Newpark Resources Inc.,
Houston, recently unveiled its Evolution water-based drilling fluids system for Haynesville Shale operators as "a clean, yet robust alternative" to diesel-based fluids historically required in that harsh drilling environment. Officials with the Newpark Drilling Fluids division said it provides improved penetration rates, wellbore protection, and lubricity and stands up to demanding requirements of temperature, containments, and drilled solids.
Newpark management claim the system's capabilities are unprecedented in previous water-based drilling fluids. Although conceived as a Haynesville-specific drilling fluid solution, its design concept offers advantages in many other unconventional shale gas applications worldwide, they said.
The Evolution system features a clay-free combination of two central components: EvoVis, a polymeric viscosifier; and EvoLube, a proprietary high-pressure, high-temperature lubricant that delivers coefficient of friction values similar to oil-based mud. Both components and the system itself have proven stable to wellbore temperatures of 400 degrees Fahrenheit even in the presence of CO2 common to Haynesville geology, said company officials. They credit the EvoLube lubricant for penetration rates exceeding those of offset wells where oil-based mud was used.
FMC Technologies Inc.,
Houston, signed a global alliance agreement with Anadarko Petroleum Corp. to provide subsea systems and life-of-field services for their worldwide subsea development projects. In 1999, FMC supplied equipment for Anadarko's first subsea project, North Garnet, in the Gulf of Mexico. The companies since have collaborated on other projects including Independence Hub, the largest natural gas processing facility in the gulf. FMC also supplied Anadarko with the industry's first subsea wellhead qualified at a pressure rating of 20,000 psi. Anadarko has an extensive deepwater program.
FMC Technologies' Australian subsidiary signed a $325 million agreement with Chevron Australia Pty Ltd. for design, manufacture, and supply of subsea production systems to support the Wheatstone Project. The Chevron-operated Wheatstone Project comprises the Wheatstone and Iago gas fields off Western Australia in water depths of 330-850 ft. FMC's scope of supply includes 11 subsea production trees, 11 wellheads, three manifolds, subsea and topside controls, and well access systems. The equipment will be supplied from FMC's Asia-Pacific operations, with deliveries to commence in 2013.
Clean Harbors Inc.,
Expro,
Reading, UK, a division of Umbrellastream Ltd., signed a long-term frame agreement with Total E&P UK Ltd., Aberdeen, for further advancement of its trademarked AX-S subsea well intervention technology.
Company officials said the agreement enhances Expro's strategy and long-term commitment to its life-of-field vision for subsea developments in any water depth to 10,000 ft, which would enable the firm to service all existing subsea fields. The initial agreement allows Expro to work with clients to foster its subsea well intervention capabilities and ensure these meet industry requirements.
The AX-S system recently completed commissioning of the deployment system in 2,450 m of water in a trench north of Shetland. Preparation is under way for the final system commissioning in a Norwegian test well prior to its first commercial job.
Summit Energy Services,
Williston, ND, promoted Will Reedy to chief operating officer. Reedy joined Summit Energy in March. The service company is involved in pipeline construction, roustabout services and site maintenance, storm water and erosion management, scoria and water hauling, and reclamation services.
A native of Villa Park, Ill., Reedy holds a bachelor of science degree in Civil Engineering and is completing graduate studies in business administration at the University of Wyoming.
Electromagnetic Geoservices ASA (EMGS),
Trondheim, Norway, plans to mobilize the vessel EM Leader in response to increased market demand in Asia. EMGS received a letter of intent from what it identified only as a major international oil company for a 6-week 3D electromagnetic data acquisition project offshore Brunei. Surveying is expected to start in early February, following modifications of the EM Leader to accommodate EMGS's equipment and technology.
