EFC Group Develops RIS for Baker Hughes

EFC Group deliveres on an innovative mechanical handling contract to provide a Rigless Intervention System (RIS) for Baker Hughes

Aberdeen, Scotland, based EFC Group designed, built and delivered the Mastiff™ RIS following a brief from the oilfield services company, and the
Mastiff™ RIS proved successful after significant testing.

Ted Littlechild, sales director at EFC Group, said: “The Mastiff™ RIS provides operators with an alternative method for carrying out pipe installation and retrieval operations, which typically require a costly offshore rig. Using the RIS reduces the cost of abandonment, workover and drive pipe pre-installation operations.

The Mastiff™ RIS was initially conceived for well bore tubular extraction during well abandonment and conductor pre-installation activities, although it carries the potential for useful work in many other offshore well servicing and construction type activities.

The RIS device supports pulling and cutting of 15m (50-ft) sections of 36-inch  (and larger) conductor pipe, inner casing and cement, a significant improvement over casing jack systems which usually work with 1.5m (5ft) sections. The system can also be used to initiate a slot recovery programme for continued field development prior to the arrival of a drilling rig.

The Mastiff™ RIS has a maximum pulling capacity of 320 tonnes (352 short tons), and a maximum height under hook of 30.5m (100 ft). However, its innovative and unique qualities include its ability to be quickly dismantled into standard shipping containers, making it easily and affordably transportable to any international location.