New Subsea Snubbing Unit Safer, Optimizes Rig-Time
Balance Point Control Ltd. (BPC), a Superior Energy Services, Inc. company, has developed the Concentric Snubbing Unit- 160 (CSU – 160) rig assist snubbing unit.
According to BPC their new CSU-160 is the first fully remote-operated snubbing unit on the market. Furthermore, BPC built a complete Zone-1 electric-driven hydraulic powerpack with four separate drive banks to set a new safety standard in the industry as this minimizes personnel exposure to pressurized hydraulic lines. The CSU-160 sits through the rotary table leaving the rig floor clear for operations without any limitations by installed snubbing equipment.
The controls and valves of the CSU-160 are located in the Master Control Unit (MCU) on the main deck. Connected to the MCU are two exclusive interlocking systems for the slipbowls and strippers. The interlock system for the slipbowls have modes for heavy, light or in balance and prevents the traveler and stationary slipbowls from opening simultaneously. The other interlock prevents the strippers from opening when there is pressure differential. There is a replica of the MCU Main Control Panel in the Driller’s Cabin containing the interlock system, three HMI computer screens used to monitor hydraulic pressures and a dual computer that serves as a backup “shadow” system.
“This advancement pushes the industry in the direction for integration into cyber rigs,” said Chris Dontje. “We are able to minimize manual handling while simultaneously optimizing rigtime and working ethics.”
BPC is a leading provider of hydraulic workover, snubbing and well control services to the international oil and gas industry. They develop and operate state-of-the-art equipment and data acquisition systems to serve the needs of customers worldwide.
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Concentric Snubbing Unit: Image credit Superior Energy Services