Drilling Systems News

MHWirth, a subsidiary of Norwegian oil services investment firm Akastor, has received an arbitration award issued by a tribunal in a dispute with Seatrium’s subsidiary Jurong Shipyard over the termination of four drilling rig unit contracts.As part of the ruling, MHW has been awarded an amount of $101 million as payment of termination fees.In addition, MHW has been made eligible for the reimbursement of legal costs and certain suspension costs (totaling about $7 million), as well as interest.Although the drilling rig unit contracts are held by MHW…

UK-based 3t Energy Group has agreed to buy oilfield services giant Petrofac's UK training business.The purchase includes Petrofac’s Survival and Marine, Health and Safety, Fire, and Major Emergency Management capability and facilities in Scotland. The value of the acquisition is undisclosed.3t Energy said the acquisition would expand its offering into marine & major emergency management training markets. "3t Energy will now become a supplier to Petrofac for its in-person UK training requirements…

Technology and training organization 3T Energy Group has acquired Aberdeen-based Survivex, an offshore oil and gas training specialist.Global technology and training organisation said in a press release that it has become the UK’s largest energy sector training provider after acquiring Survivex."This acquisition strengthens 3T Energy Group’s global offering and is part of its strategy to transform the training sector with technology to enable people and companies to work safer, smarter and more efficiently," it said.3T Energy Group was formed earlier in 2018 by bringing together expertise from AIS Training and advanced simulator developer, Drilling Systems.

ABS has announced it has issued the managed pressure drilling notation ABS MPD to Seadrill for the ABS-classed West Capricorn, a 6th generation ultra-deep water semi-submersible operating in the Gulf of Mexico.This notation demonstrates system compliance with the ABS Guide for Classification and Certification of Managed Pressure Drilling Systems (MPD Guide).Seadrill’s West Capricorn is the first Column Stabilized Drilling Unit to receive the ABS MPD notation complete with the Maltese Cross, which denotes survey attendance throughout the process, from vendor fabrication to on-board installation.“As the industry drills in more complex…

ABS announced it has awarded the world’s first Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD) – Ready Notation to Ocean Rig for the ABS-classed Corcovado and Mykonos deep water drillships.The ABS MPD-Ready notation demonstrates drilling units have the necessary provisions in place to integrate equipment needed for MPD operations.“Offshore operations in deeper water continue to lead back to a need for reliable and cost-effective technologies” said ABS Executive Vice President – Global Offshore, Kenneth Richardson. “The ABS MPD-Ready notation provides an increased level of confidence that the system meets certain industry standards related to integration of MPD equipment to aid in drilling difficult wells.

ABS, a leading provider of classification and technical services to the marine and offshore industries, issued a managed pressure drilling (MPD) notation to Seadrill’s West Capella ultra-deep water drillship, demonstrating system compliance with the ABS Guide for Classification and Certification of Managed Pressure Drilling Systems (MPD Guide). “As the industry drills in ever more complex and challenging environments it is essential to integrate MPD technology with existing systems – safely – to improve efficiency and effectiveness,” said ABS Executive Vice President, Global Offshore, Kenneth Richardson. “Seadrill is excited to be the first to achieve the ABS MPD Notation.

Cameron, a Schlumberger company, today announced the signing of two 10-year pressure control equipment management service contracts on behalf of Transocean valued at greater than $350 million. The first contract calls for Schlumberger to manage Transocean’s Cameron risers in the Gulf of Mexico. This comprehensive agreement includes storage, maintenance, inspection, repair, recertification and data-driven riser management on the rigs. Through the second contract, Schlumberger will provide a comprehensive suite of solutions to maintain and service blowout preventer (BOP) systems and other pressure control equipment for nine of Transocean’s ultra-deepwater and harsh environment drilling rigs.

ABS recently convened the inaugural meeting of the ABS Offshore Equipment Advisory Committee, bring together a group of technical advisors on March 4, 2015, at the ABS Energy Corridor office to exchange information for rule development and enhancement of classification services for offshore equipment. One of the primary focuses of the committee is to gather information from offshore experts to guide changes and additions to publications such as the ABS Guide for the Classification of Drilling Systems, the classification society explained. "The ABS Offshore Equipment Committee plays an important role in bringing together key stakeholders to provide critical expertise to improve standards for equipment safety," said ABS Chairman and CEO Christopher J. Wiernicki.

GE unveiled today its new GE Marine organization which cumulates several GE businesses and will be led by Tim Schweikert, vice president, GE Marine. The new organization brings together GE’s commercial and technological expertise in the marine sector from gas turbines and diesel engines to motors and generators, variable speed drives and drilling systems to automation and control systems and all the electrical equipment in between. GE Marine combines this with system integration capabilities and a global infrastructure—including training and service facilities.

ABS  has awarded approval in principle (AIP) for Hyundai Heavy Industries' next-generation HD12000 heavy duty, wide beam drillship design. The drillship, which can accommodate a 20,000-psi blowout preventer system, has been designed in full compliance with the ABS Guide for the Classification of Drilling Systems (CDS Guide) and other applicable ABS Rules and industry standards. The HD12000 drillship will be capable of operating in 12,000 ft (3,658 m) water depth with a drilling depth to 40,000 ft (12,192 m).

General Electric today announced the opening of the $500 million Brazil Technology Center that will focus on developing advanced subsea oil and gas technology. The center, GE’s first in Latin America, will be a hub for engagement and collaboration with GE’s customers in the region and is expected to employ 400 researchers in the future. In the twentieth century, one of mankind’s greatest feats was successfully landing on the moon more than 235,000 miles from earth. In the 21st century, mankind’s greatest feat may well be securing the  world’s energy future for the next few centuries. Subsea engineers often say that it is actually more difficult to put a machine 10,000 feet under the sea than send a rocket to the moon.

Drydocks World, the international service provider to the shipping, maritime, offshore, oil, gas and energy sectors, announced the completion of a  major refurbishment carried out on National Drilling Company’s (NDC) Offshore Drilling Rig Al Ghallan. The project is part of a series of four rig repair and refurbishment projects signed with NDC in 2013. Before that, eight projects were completed. The numbers of projects carried out for NDC have progressively increased over the years. Drydocks World has a well-established reputation in the rig repair, refit and refurbishment segment. The company has successfully dry-docked, repaired and refurbished 125 Offshore Platform Vessels (OPV) belonging to major companies.

Drydocks World, the international service provider to the shipping, maritime, offshore, oil, gas and energy sectors, announced the completion of a major refurbishment carried out on National Drilling Company’s (NDC) Offshore Drilling Rig Al Ghallan. The project is part of a series of four rig repair and refurbishment projects signed with NDC in 2013. Before that, eight projects were completed. The numbers of projects carried out for NDC have progressively increased over the years. Drydocks World claims a well-established reputation in the rig repair, refit and refurbishment segment.

Maersk Drilling has ordered four Blow Out Preventers (BOPs) and two risers from GE Oil and Gas to be used in the Project 20K™ agreement with BP. The BOPs and risers are intended to be delivered and deployed on two Maersk Drilling 20K™ Rigs by year-end 2018. The order includes options for provision of further BOPs. The order is subject to BP and Maersk Drilling taking the final investment decision on a 20K™ Rig contract. BP and Maersk Drilling announced in February 2013 a joint study agreement to develop conceptual engineering designs for a new breed of advanced technology drilling rigs that will be critical to unlocking the next frontier of deepwater oil and gas resources.

One of the world’s largest shipbuilders uses AVEVA software to design next-generation drillship. Fincantieri Offshore has signed a contract with AVEVA to implement AVEVA Marine software in the concept design phase of Proxima, a major offshore drillship project. Proxima is a revolutionary design with an innovative drilling system that significantly increases the speed of the drilling process. It can therefore be a powerful tool for drilling contractors to boost their profitability, not only by drilling more efficiently, but also by drilling wells that were not previously possible.

Nautronix have successfully delivered the first two NASDrill RS925 and NASeBOP (Emergency BOP Acoustic Control) systems from their current order of four systems for two of Rowan’s new ultra-deepwater drillships, the Rowan Relentless and the Rowan Reliance. The total contract value is worth approximately $10 million. Nautronix’ NASDrill RS925 system has been designed specifically to meet the requirements for a reliable, stable DP and position reference system for demanding offshore operations, in particular deepwater drilling vessels.

South Korea plans to develop the offshore plant industry into a new engine for growth that will create over 10,000 new jobs by 2017, reports Yonhap News citing a government source. The government plans to effectively implement its policy initiatives by jointly investing some 900 billion won ($848 million) with the private sector by 2017. The move comes as the global market for offshore plants is expected to grow by an average 6.4 percent per year from US$145.2 billion in 2010 to $230.3 billion in 2015 and to $503.9 billion in 2030…

DNV’s Enhanced Classification Rules for mobile offshore units presented in May have been further improved through a process of industry consultation and feedback. The final versions of the related DNV Offshore Standards have been released and are available now. “Our aim has been to take class a new step forward by focusing on control, transparency and efficiency. In addition - the intention has been to ensure that the latest best practices and innovations are rapidly implemented by the industry.

Ask any Mariner, weathering a storm is hair raising. Weathering the perfect storm literally leaves fingernail marks deep in the leather of a captain’s chair. The making of today’s perfect storms results from a combination of the industries financial restraints and environmental responsibility coupled with the need to go further, deeper, faster in ever more challenging environments. Ship’s crews, captains, owners and operators weather these risks every day. GE Power Conversion experts and technologies are providing robust solutions to face the planet’s toughest challenges. According to the company, they do this by understanding the operational environments their customers are at work in. Moreover, GE Power Conversion knows ships.

GE pioneers a friendlier operating system for mariners. GE’s Power Conversion business is bringing enhanced operability to the company’s Dynamic Positioning (DP) system. According to GE, the latest version is more energy efficient, better integrated and more mariner friendly. Defining that concept further, Paul English, marine leader of GE Power Conversion, told MarineNews in May, “We are giving ship control back to the mariners.” GE leverages more than 40 years of experience in its effort to reduce the burden of the technology on the operator. It’s a new direction in DP. It’s the mariner’s DP. GE’s latest DP offering is mariner-focused, enhancing situational awareness and rebalancing attention from system management to true seamanship.

AnTech Ltd, an engineering company that provides directional coiled tubing drilling (DCTD) services, announced that it has secured a substantial investment from Saudi Aramco Energy Ventures (SAEV) and London-based Calculus Capital, following an initial investment from eCORP, which operates a considerable amount of shale deposit acreage in Europe. The funding is being used to launch AnTech’s new DCTD service capability so that it can use its bespoke systems to deliver highly cost-effective directional drilling solutions to the oil and gas industry.

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.

In a move that could change the way the maritime industry views propulsion technology, GE’s Power Conversion business increased its offshore systems portfolio with Inovelis, a podded thruster with unmatched fuel efficiency and overall performance. Inovelis incorporates an electrically powered propeller with its motor housed within a steerable pod mounted beneath the hull of an offshore vessel. It incorporates all the assets of a podded thruster, including maneuverability, responsiveness and excellent fuel economy.