New well frac fluid suited for offshore use
Newly developed B9 Emerald FRAQ fracturing fluid combines performance with benign environmental effects such as low toxicity and biodegradability. It's suited for offshore use.
The firm says it meets and exceeds current Gulf of Mexico offshore permitted waste fluid discharge regulations for well treatment fluid standards set by the US Environmental Protection Agency, specified in the Code of Federal Regulations, 40 CFR Part 435.
With less than 29 mg/l. of hexane extractable material, oil and grease content, it satisfies EPA's definition of oil and gas free for well treating fluids. EPA regulations do not establish a discharge permit standard for toxicity for well treatment fluids.
However, with B9 system's low toxicity (less than 3%), the fluid also meets and exceeds the 40 CFR Part 435 standards set for drilling fluids.
It biodegrades to more than 60% in 28 days.
Source: Baker Oil Tools, 9100 Emmott Rd., Houston, TX 77040.
Control system enhanced
The latest release for the MOST hybrid control system is software and hardware support for sequence of events capabilities, Modbus register remapping, and floating point functionality.
The firm's modular approach now includes full workbench and controller support for sequence of events, including support of simple network time protocol.
This capability can also be used with all input-output modules to record alarms and capture data for replay and filtering and to export data in various formats, including text, OPC, and csv.
The MOST control system is suited for harsh and hazardous applications in pipeline and processing operations. It operates over a –40° to +70° C. The controller provides a tight control loop response, assuring that the system has more than enough capacity for advanced control strategies. The controller features a redundancy model and has redundant Ethernet communications ports for reliable system operations and high-speed communications.
Source: MTL Inc., 9 Merrill Industrial Drive, Hampton, NH 03842.
Mud pumps can be fitted with popular brand fluid ends
To eliminate equipment compatibility issues and the prospect of additional spare-parts inventories for drilling contractors, this firm will factory-equip its heavy-duty W-Series and general-duty WH-Series mud pumps with virtually any major brand of fluid end module.
Customers not specifying a particular brand receive standard one-piece or two-piece fluid end modules made of quenched and tempered forged steel, featuring off the shelf expendables that are available from domestic and international sources.
Pumps are in-house manufactured. Units provide input ratings of 300-3,000 hp (224-2,237 kw) and deep-drilling discharge pressures as great as 7,500 psi (527 kg/sq cm). Their premium components include a pressurized lubrication system that force feeds lubricant to all power-end bearings including upper and lower cross-head slides; a balanced forged steel crankshaft that reduces noise and vibration and helps extend component life throughout the pump; and a frame of double-wall, welded-steel, mounted on a heavy-duty oil field skid.
Source: LeTourneau Ellis Williams Co. Inc., 6500 Brittmoore Rd., Houston, TX 77241-1343.
ROV tooling rental fleet expanded
This company's remotely operated vehicle (ROV) tooling rental fleet has been expanded with an ROV-isolated hydraulic power unit (IHPU).
The unit supplies aggressive fluids to subsea systems. It has been designed on the basis of three hydraulic circuits: 1) an intensifier (amplifying the input pressure); 2) a unit capable of pumping water, ISO fluids, water-glycol, and methanol; and 3) a suction pump capable of evacuating buoyancy chambers to a partial vacuum with as much as 11,044 lb of suction force.
The IHPU is designed to interface with any standard work-class ROV via the ROV onboard hydraulic valve packs or switchable hydraulic supply.
Key to the system is its self-reciprocating double action piston pump, which is powered by the ROV's ISO hydraulic system. The pump is designed to isolate the pumped fluids from the reservoir and the ROV hydraulic system, thus eliminating the cross-contamination of fluids. It has been designed to operate at pressures as high as 9,000 psi.
The IHPU was developed for Mako by Subsea Tooling, Houston.
Source: Mako Technologies Inc., Box 3186, Morgan City, LA 70380.
