OTC Spotlight on Technology recognizes 13 innovations

May 10, 2010
The 2010 Offshore Technology Conference recognized 13 innovative technologies in its Spotlight on New Technology.

The 2010 Offshore Technology Conference recognized 13 innovative technologies in its Spotlight on New Technology.

To qualify for the award, companies have to have proved out the technology through either full-scale applications or successful prototype testing.

Award recipients were:

• Aker Solutions ASA for an AC top drive.

• Expro Group for a wireless safety valve system.

• FMC Technologies Inc. for a self-configuring multiphase meter.

• Halliburton Co. for a reservoir sampler run on a logging-while-drilling (LWD) assembly.

• MacDermid Offshore Solutions Ltd. for an ultrahigh temperature subsea control fluid.

• Rapp Hydema US Inc. for a liquid-cooled electric motor.

• Reelwell AS for a drill pipe telemetry system.

• Schlumberger Ltd. for an electrohydraulic-operated subsea landing string.

• Schlumberger for a riser annulus surveillance system.

• ShawCor Ltd. for a styrenic subsea thermal insulation.

• TSGROUP for a compact flotation unit for treating discharged or injected water.

• Wanner Engineering Inc. for a seal-less triplex diaphragm pump.

• WFS Technologies for a wireless data and power unit.

Drilling

Three of the awards went to new technologies for drilling.

Aker Solutions says its new MH MDDM 1000 top drive is the first true modular derrick drilling machine that meets sixth-generation drilling requirements. One feature of the technology is that when a module breaks down, it can be replaced without interrupting other systems of the top drive.

Halliburton says its new InSite GeoTap IDS sensor enables reservoir fluid samples for the first time to be recovered with LWD technology. The sensor can acquire multiple fluid samples within hours, rather than days, of drilling the formation.

Reelwell's telemeter system enables two-way, high-speed data communication to downhole MWD-LWD tools. In addition, the company says the technology can transfer large amounts of electric power to downhole tools.

Completions

Five technologies related to well completions received awards.

Expro received the award for its FlowCAT wireless-controlled subsurface safety valve. The wireless feature eliminates failures from plugged or leaking hydraulic control lines. Expro notes that the valve can be retrofitted into a well with a conventional slickline.

FMC Technologies' new self-configuring multiphase meter employs tomographic technology for improving measurement accuracy and measurement range for multiphase meters for topside and subsea applications. The self-calibrating feature uses salinity measurement in combination with in situ fluid property verification.

MacDermid Offshore says its new subsea hydraulic control fluid, Oceanic XT900, can be used at downhole temperature of up to 220° C. (428° F.). The company notes that the product exceeds the capability of any other proven fluid on the market today.

Schlumberger's SenTURIAN subsea landing string electrohydraulic operating system is designed to operate from dynamically positioned vessels in deepwater, high-pressure, and high-temperature environments. The company says that the technology can be used during well completion and testing in water depths to 15,000 ft.

The Schlumberger and Total SA-developed subC-racs riser annulus condition surveillance system automatically monitors flexible riser integrity and of vented emissions. The system measures free (dry) volume of the annulus, and gas, and water vapor flow rates.

Offshore operations

Five technologies for various offshore operations received awards.

Rapp Hydema says its liquid-cooled electric motor is a first-of-its-kind motor for powering winches or other machinery. The motor features a new design for circulating cooling fluid through the rotating parts and internal windings, giving the optimal cooling facility and full control of the winding temperature.

ShawCor says its Thermotite ULTRA styrenic formulation for subsea thermal pipe insulation is a microballoon-free system with improved thermal properties, suitable for subsea deployment using all lay methods.

TSGROUP's TST compact flotation unit ensures low oil in water content before the water is either discharged or reinjected. The company says the technology involves internals that create small gas bubbles that get connected to small oil droplets that contribute to the separation process. It notes that the CFU has removed oil droplets down to 1 µm.

Wanner Engineering has designed its Hydra-Cell T80 Series seal-less triplex diaphragm pumps to replace packed plunger pumps. The company says the pumps provide zero leakage, can run dry without damage, will operate with a closed or blocked suction line, and can effectively pump abrasive fluids.

WFT Technologies says its SeaPAR (Sea Radio Acoustic and Power) is the world's first subsea wireless data and power unit that incorporates short-range high bandwidth radio-frequency (RF), midrange low bandwidth RF, and long-range low bandwidth acoustic communication and navigation-location capabilities.

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