Hpht News

Esgian's last roundup of the year for the Week 52 puts spotlight on new developments for Dolphin Drilling semisub, Seadrill drillships, as well as Shell’s plans for Australia and ONGC’s new tender for jackups in India.ContractsDolphin Drilling has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with an undisclosed operator for the 1,500-ft semisubmersible Borgland Dolphin to undertake a 500-day drilling campaign in the UK. The drilling campaign is planned to begin directly after the firm part of the contract period with EnQuest, which was announced in late November 2023.

Total has made a hydrocarbon discovery at the Isabella exploration well in the UK Central North Sea, Neptune Energy, Total's partner in the project has informed.Neptune Energy has described Isabella as "an encouraging hydrocarbon discovery" which encountered hydrocarbons in Upper Jurassic and Triassic sandstone reservoirs, with 64 meters net pay encountered, consisting of lean gas and condensate and high-quality light oil."The results of the well will be analyzed to further evaluate the discovery, determine future appraisal activity and recoverable resources estimates.

Downhole sensing technology specialist, Well-SENSE, has launched a miniature optical pressure-temperature gauge, as part of its FiberLine Intervention (FLI) system.The Well-SENSE optical gauge widens the well surveillance application envelope for FLI, both on and offshore, and offers operators a low-cost and disposable alternative to both permanent downhole sensors and more traditional electronic logging devices.Combined with FLI’s other features and benefits, including a simple deployment mechanism and distributed sensing, it can deliver savings in the region of 50-90% compared to conventional logging methods.The fiber Bragg grating based device is a robust optical gauge with no electronics, batteries, external connections or power supply required.

Hutchison Port Holdings Trust (HPHT) suffered a 69.9 percent plunge in first-quarter net profit to to HK$166.9 million ($24.4 million USD) from the corresponding period a year earlier. The Hong Kong-based port operator said it was largely due to the absence of a government rent and rates refund previously received. Excluding a one-off rent and rates refund, however, net profit would be 15.7 percent lower than that of last year, said the manager of the container port business trust in a statement. Singapore-listed HPHT said that revenue for the quarter fell 6.3 percent to HK$2.58 billion ($331.6 million USD), as throughput at some of its key terminals was hit by a decrease in transshipment cargoes.

In a concerted drive to find smart solutions to safely reduce complexities and cost in the North American oil and gas industry, DNV GL is leading seven new joint industry projects (JIP) from the region in 2016. The initiatives will support overall efficiency efforts in the pipelines, wells and subsea, umbilicals, risers, and flowlines (SURF) sectors. Key focus areas for DNV GL in 2016 will be centered around solving challenges around standardization, operations (OPEX services), safety, environment, regulations and performance. “Our collaborative projects are pivotal in strengthening the industry throughout the Americas and helping it move forward and out of the difficulties we are currently facing,” said Peter Bjerager, Executive vice president, Oil & Gas – DNV GL Region Americas.

Maersk Oil North Sea UK limited has contracted MODEC, Inc. to supply a floating storage and offloading (FSO) vessel for the Culzean development project in the U.K. Central North Sea. The contract awards MODEC responsibility for the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) of the FSO, while the internal turret mooring system will be designed and supplied by MODEC subsidiary SOFEC, Inc. The FSO will feature receiving capacity of 25,000 barrels of condensate per day, with storage capacity of 350,000 barrels. MODEC president and CEO, Toshiro Miyazaki, noted that the new contract represents a milestone for the company as it marks MODEC's entry into the North Sea oil and gas industry. MODEC said it expects to deliver the complete unit to Maersk Oil UK in the first half of 2018.

The Houston-based subsea specialist FMC Technologies Inc. (FTI) reported first-quarter earnings of $147.6 million, beating Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of 34 analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of 60 cents per share on a per-share basis. But it had net income of 63 cents. The company has generated first quarter 2015 revenue of $1.7 billion, down 7 percent from the prior-year quarter $1.82 billion, as stronger Subsea Technologies performance was offset by the continued strength of the U.S. dollar and the decline in the North American land market. Subsea Technologies operating profit increased 19 percent from the prior-year quarter to $168.7 million, primarily due to improved execution and stronger project margins related to backlog conversion.

With demand for hydrocarbons increasing and costs rising, the E&P industry is also facing numerous technical challenges including the development of High Pressure – High Temperature (HPHT) reserves. HP / Extreme HP typically refers to borehole pressures between 10,000 psi and 20,000 psi whereas HT / Extreme HT refers to borehole temperatures between 300 degrees Fahrenheit and 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Pressures and temperatures outside these ranges are referred to as “Ultra-HPHT”, which represents the absolute limits of current technology. While the HPHT term is widely used, it should be noted that pressure and temperature do not always correlate: in Thailand many wells have extremely high temperatures without correspondingly high associated pressures.

With demand for hydrocarbons increasing and costs rising, the E&P industry is also facing numerous technical challenges including the development of High Pressure – High Temperature (HPHT) reserves, explains energy forecasters, marine market researchers & renewables analysts Douglas-Westwood in 'DW Monday'. HP / Extreme HP typically refers to borehole pressures between 10,000 psi and 20,000 psi whereas HT / Extreme HT refers to borehole temperatures between 300 degrees Fahrenheit and 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Pressures and temperatures outside these ranges are referred to as “Ultra-HPHT”, which represents the absolute limits of current technology.

COSCO Corporation inform that its subsidiary Dalian Shipyard has been contracted to build a jack-up rig based on the LeTourneau Super 116E Class design. The US$184-million order has been placed by Derwent Ocean Limited S.A, part of Foresight Group. COSCO inform that the new rig will be built to ABS classification, with notation A1, and will be a self elevating drilling unit capable of drilling HPHT wells. It will be capable of operating in 350 feet water, with accommodation for up to 120 persons onboard. Delivery is scheduled for the third quarter of 2016. Founded in June 2001, COSCO Shipyard Group Co., Ltd, is a subsidiary of China Ocean Shipping Company (COSCO). It specializes in large vessel construction, marine engineering, conversion, and providing ship repair services.

Drydocks World, an international service provider to the maritime, oil and gas and energy sectors, announced it has signed an Agreement with Malta Oil & Gas Ltd. for building two unique new jack-up drilling rigs based on Gusto MSC CJ54-X135-A design. The Agreement was signed by His Excellency Khamis Juma Buamim, Chairman of Drydocks World & Maritime World and Mr. Paul Robert Thomson of Malta Oil & Gas Ltd. His Excellency Buamim said, “There is a great demand for new offshore drilling rigs in the rapidly evolving upstream oil and gas sector.

Control valve engineering specialist, Severn Glocon Group has strengthened its presence in the subsea oil and gas market with the acquisition of HPHT downhole tools company Calidus Engineering. Now renamed Severn Subsea Technologies Ltd, the company will provide research, development and test facilities to enhance Severn Glocon’s subsea valves capability. A former subsidiary of Badger Explorer (Norway), Calidus is a multi-discipline engineering firm developing innovative subsea and downhole technologies for harsh HPHT environments.

Triyards Holdings now able to design & build its own proprietary drilling jack-up rigs and self-elevating units (SEUs). The new design is for the Premium Class 400 HPHT (High Pressure, High Temperature) drilling jack-up rig, the TDU-400. The TDU-400 is designed to withstand up to 100-knot winds while satisfying wave criteria for global deployment. Able to provide accommodation for up to 220 personnel, the jackup boasts leg lengths of more than 535ft (approximately 163m) and can operate in water depths of up to 400ft (approximately 120m). Tridyards’ Chief Executive Officer, Mr Wong Bheet Huan, said: “This latest design demonstrates that our dedication to enhancing our engineering capabilities has paid off, expanding the scope of our product offerings.

Tata Steel will demonstrate at this year’s Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston May 6-9, 2013. Tata Steel’s pipeline packages include double submerged arc welded (DSAW) line pipe, manufactured at the 42-inch mill in Hartlepool, which the manufacturer claims is equipped with the strongest edge crimping and ‘O’ press combination in the world. This enables the manufacture of thicker wall DSAW pipes even in smaller diameters for withstanding the extreme collapse pressures in the deepest waters.

Jack-up rig 'Maersk Endurer' contracted for 2-year drill off Cameroon, adding about US$ 100-million to Maersk Drilling's contract backlog. Maersk Drilling expands its activities in West Africa with the signing of a contract for the jack-up Maersk Endurer with Addax Petroleum, owned by Sinopec, which is one of the largest oil and gas producers in the world. The contract duration is two years and the value is around USD 100 million. Expected commencement is late October 2012. “We are pleased to have signed this contract with a very experienced operator in West Africa…

Aker Solutions has signed an agreement to acquire the well intervention technology business from X3M (pronounced "Extreme") International. The acquisition will grow Aker Solutions' well intervention technology and service portfolio worldwide as well as increase the company's presence in the important Middle East market. X3M is an international niche provider of down-hole intervention service tools and technology products. Its core products are innovative down-hole tools like plugs, packers, hangers, valves and a complete range of setting and recovery tools.

ITF is calling on technology developers to come forward with innovative solutions to drilling, well intervention and subsea challenges, with the potential for successful proposals to receive up to 100% funding. Submission deadlines are fast approaching for three global calls for proposals, following the identification of key priorities at a series of Technology Challenge Workshops (TCWs) by ITF members earlier this year. The calls for drilling and well intervention solutions follows on from two workshops held in Amsterdam earlier this year, where a number of operators and service companies identified the shared challenges where they would like to see innovative technologies developed.

Keppel FELS Limited (Keppel FELS) has secured a contract with Vision Drilling Pte Ltd (Vision Drilling), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dynamic Offshore Drilling Limited (Dynamic Offshore Drilling), to build its first KFELS B Class jackup drilling rig for US$180 million. Slated for delivery in 1Q2013, the rig will be able to operate in water depths of 350 feet with a drilling depth of 30,000 feet and accommodate 120 men. Dynamic Offshore Drilling has the option to build an additional rig to be exercised before 3Q2011.

Smedvig has been awarded a letter of intent by Shell U.K. Exploration and Production for a drilling assignment for the fourth-generation semi-submersible drilling rig West Alpha. The contract is for drilling of a HPHT (high-pressure-high-temperature) exploration well in the UK sector of the North Sea. The drilling period is estimated to approximately 110 days, and the contract value is $13 million. Start-up of operations is scheduled for August 2002.

Keppel FELS Limited announced that its rigbuilding contract with the Skeie Group AS has come into effect on February 16, 2004. The $126 million contract, announced on January 20, 2004, also includes an option for an additional unit within the next six months. Developed by Keppel FELS’ sister company, Offshore Technology & Development, the rig will be an enhanced KFELS B class jackup, capable of operating in water depths of up to 350 ft. and high pressure high temperature (HPHT) deep drilling of down to 35,000 ft. The rig is due for delivery in the second quarter of 2006.

StatoilHydro on behalf of the Morvin license group, awarded Aker Kvaerner a contract for the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) of a complete subsea production system for StatoilHydro's Morvin field in the Norwegian Sea. The contract, worth approximately $181m is a testament to Aker Kvaerner's unique high-pressure/high-temperature (HPHT) subsea technology. The Morvin contract is an addition to the scope identified in the frame agreement signed by Aker Kvaerner and StatoilHydro in September this year. The subsea production system for the Morvin field will consist of two four-slot manifolds, three horizontal subsea trees, production control system, steel tube umbilicals, tie-in system and intervention tools.

Drydocks World, the global maritime arm of Dubai World, announced their participation in Sea Asia 2009, scheduled to take place in Singapore from the 21st to the 23rd of April 2009. Sea Asia 2009 will bring together top maritime professionals, which include Shipping CEOs and executives of over 350 international companies from 45 nations, showcasing the industry’s latest technology, products and services. Welch will be a guest speaker for the Shipbuilding and Ship Conversion session at the exhibition on the 22nd of April.