The Aberdeen-based Industry Technology Facilitator has launched a joint industry project to investigate an alternative oil-well foundation technology for subsea exploration and production wells.
Sea-bed suction buckets are routinely used to anchor sea-bed based offshore wind-turbines and this ITF initiative demonstrates both the quality and imperative of similar such technology in the oil and gas sector.
This is the first collaborative project launched between the ITF and OGTC, with the Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) actively participating in an observer capacity and contributing technical support to the project.
Maersk Oil, Nexen, Shell and Siccar Point Energy are also collaborating with the project which aims to examine the versatility and robustness of Conductor Anchor Node (CAN®) technology as an alternative well foundation for most seabed soils.
The CAN® system uses high load carrying capacity suction anchors (aka ‘buckets’) to secure seafloor mooring points via a large diameter, relatively short cylinder.
Unlike conventional methods, no cement is required therefore negating risk of conductor problems due to cementing failure. The CAN® also provides a well foundation to be drilled or jetted through, or with a pre-installed short conductor. It has already been proven in 17 installations to date with 15 runs in the Scottish and Norwegian sectors of the North Sea.
Future phases of the project will potentially explore the use of CAN® technology to unlock small oil pools, to facilitate cheaper single production well construction and for faster and lower cost plugging and abandonment operations.
Dr. Patrick O’Brien, ITF chief executive, explained: “Traditional conductors have been used in the offshore industry for more than half a century, with well-known and documented issues around maintaining verticality and providing a solid base to support further well architecture.
“The project aims to demonstrate further cost efficiencies as well as robust and versatile solutions for subsea exploration and production wells.”
Meanwhile N. Sea contractor Tendeka has appointed Brad Baker as its new Aberdeen-based chief executive as it gears up for further growth.
He joins Tendeka after a 27-year career with Baker Hughes, most recently as Vice-President of Stimulation and Production Enhancement.
Tendeka has this year launched PulseEight, a wireless intelligent completion technology for the digital oilfield, and Cascade-3, a new sand control technology that improves recovery and the lifetime of water injection wells.
With more than a third of its workforce focused on research and development and specialist facilities including a polymer development lab and manufacturing plants, Tendeka also creates bespoke solutions to the complex well challenges.
14 Dec 2017
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