Shell sets new open-water wireline record

Dec. 10, 2009
An open-water wireline run set a new water depth record, according to Royal Dutch Shell PLC.

By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Dec. 10
-- An open-water wireline run set a new water depth record, according to Royal Dutch Shell PLC.

Shell, together with Oceaneering International Inc., deployed the wireline in 2,673 ft of water for repairing a subsurface-controlled subsurface safety valve in a Gulf of Mexico subsea completed well.

Shell said open-water wireline interventions previously had been done only in shallower waters, predominantly in the North Sea.

Peter Sharpe, Shell executive vice-president, wells, said, “This achievement is much more than a short-term record-breaking success. It is a game changer. Over the last 10 years, this technology reduced both the costs and frequency of interventions in shallow water, and I am confident we will see the same in deep water.”

Oceaneering provided the vessel and services for the operation that included the company's subsea intervention lubricator system that is designed for wireline-based subsea well interventions without the need for a drilling rig or large multiservice vessel and workover riser.