OTC Highlights New Offshore Technology
Award Winners Represent Innovation in Exploration, Production Sector
In the lead-up to the 2013 Offshore Technology Conference (OTC), May 6-9, in Houston, the event organizers have announced 15 technologies that will receive the 2013 Spotlight on New Technology Award. The annual award recognizes innovative new products that provide significant impact for offshore energy exploration and production (E&P). The awards will be presented at 4 p.m., May 6, at the Reliant Center.
The Spotlight on New Technology Awards, which are presented to OTC exhibitors, showcase the latest and most advanced hardware and software technologies that are leading the industry into the future.
“Our Spotlight Award winners ask, ‘What if?’ and ‘Why not?'” said Spotlight Award Committee chairperson Helge Hove Haldorsen. “It is thanks to them that offshore E&P will continue to play a key role in supplying the world with affordable energy in a sustainable manner.”
Winning technologies were selected based on the following five criteria:
- New: Less than two years old.
- Innovative: Original, groundbreaking and capable of revolutionizing the offshore E&P industry.
- Proven: Through full-scale application or successful prototype testing.
- Broad Interest: Broad appeal for the industry.
- Significant Impact: Provides significant benefits beyond existing technologies.
- “The innovation shown by this year’s Spotlight Award recipients demonstrates the type of ingenuity and forward thinking that is advancing the industry to new levels of safety, productivity and efficiency,” said Steve Balint, 2013 OTC chairperson. “I congratulate them on their achievements and thank them for making this a highlight of OTC.”
Spotlight Recipients and Products for 2013
ABB Inc.
Onboard DC-Grid
The Onboard DC-Grid is an innovative marine technology that uses direct current to transport energy to different consumers onboard the vessel. It enables variable speed operation of generator sets, significantly reduced fuel oil consumption, improved emission reduction, reduced maintenance and new operational modes with a more responsive vessel system.
Baker Hughes
FASTrakTM LWD Fluid Analysis Sampling and Testing Service
The FASTrakTM logging-while-drilling (LWD) fluid analysis sampling and testing service provides knowledge of reservoir fluid properties that enhance critical decision-making about the reservoir. FASTrak addresses the growing need to acquire fluid samples in LWD environments, such as horizontal or extended-reach wells, resulting in significant time and cost savings.
Bayou Wasco Insulation Trelleborg Offshore
Dow Oil & Gas CRC-Evans PIH
DOW NEPTUNE Advanced SubseaFlow Assurance Insulation System
DOW NEPTUNE Advanced Subsea Flow Assurance Insulation System is a simple, robust, end-to-end flow assurance solution, protecting equipment, line pipe and field joints across the widest application and in-service temperature range of any wet insulation system (minus-40 C to 160 C, or minus-40 F to 320 F), withstanding hydrostatic compression of greater than or equal to 400 bar (4,000 m) and offering enhanced performance safety with its simple, two-layer application.
FMC Technologies
Condition and Performance Monitoring
Condition and Performance Monitoring (CPM) is a surveillance system which enables proactive maintenance of subsea production and processing systems associated with a 24/7 collaborative expert environment for diagnosis and problem solving. CPM combines continuous monitoring of sensors and subsea instrumentation with a historic database to identify fault condition and deviations from normal operating conditions.
FMC Technologies
Sulzer Pumps Ltd.
High-speed, Helico-axial Multiphase Subsea Boosting System
FMC Technologies Inc. and Sulzer Pumps Ltd. have developed a powerful new high-speed, helico-axial multiphase subsea boosting system optimized for subsea applications. This system combines field-proven pump hydraulics from Sulzer Pumps with FMC Technologiesí permanent magnet technology from Direct Drive Systems for less maintenance with greater speed, efficiency and power.
GE Oil & Gas
RamTel Plus System and ROV Subsea Display Panel
When closing in a well using a BOP, knowing exactly where the shear and/or sealing elements are positioned is important. The patented RamTel Plus provides operators with a direct method of determining ram position. GEís ROV Display allows the ROV to read stack sensor data, including wellbore temperature and ram position subsea indicators.
GE Oil & Gas
Deepwater BOP Blind Shear Ram
GE Oil & Gas has developed the next-generation technology for shearing and sealing wellbore tubulars. The patent-pending Blind Shear Ram is designed for use in GEís ram blowout preventers used in offshore drilling. It provides an industry-first capability to shear some 6 5/8-in. drillpipe tool joints while achieving a wellbore seal holding up to 15,000 psi pressure differential.
Reelwell
Reelwell Drilling Method
Riserless (RDM-R)
The RDM-Riserless system enables drilling in 3,000 m water depth from third-generation drilling units due to the reduced weight related to omitting the riser. This is possible because the cuttings are transported to surface inside the dual drill string (i.e., the dual drill string acts as the riser).
SBM Offshore
Drilling Riser Trip Saver
A rail-mounted transport system, which relocates a suspended drilling riser with a drilling riser tensioner system and surface blowout preventer in-place, this innovative apparatus and method for drilling multiple subsea wells consecutively, saves time, money and reduces risk by avoiding removal of the suspended drilling riser from the well bay.
ShawCor Ltd.
Mobile Robotic Cutback System
Bredero Shawís Mobile Robotic Cutback System is an innovative end machining technology for insulated pipe. It replaces manual processes that form the cutback including wire brushing, grinding and scraping. The new technology is safer, quieter, requires less labor and produces consistent high quality cutback profiles while generating recyclable waste, all significant benefits to the industry.
STATOIL
Remotely Welded Retrofit Subsea Hot Tap Tee
A remote-controlled hot tap operation consists of a robot welding a T-piece on to the pipe, while gas is flowing through it. Afterward, a remote-controlled drilling machine will drill holes in the producing pipeline, with no effect on pressure and production.
Superior Energy Services
Complete Automated Technology System (CATS)
Complete Automated Technology Systems (CATS) is an onshore and offshore completion services rig that uses remote-operated or pre-programmed robotics to control various completion components, including a snubbing unit, BOP/well control stack, pumps, circulation tanks, top drive, closing systems and pipe handling systems as part of one unit.
Wartsila Corp.
Wartsila GasReformer
The Wartsila GasReformer turns VOCs or associated gases that were previously considered as waste into a valuable source of energy. Herewith it enables self-sustaining power generation for the offshore operation. The Wartsila GasReformer not only provides cost savings but has the even larger benefit of environmental sustainability.
Welltec
Well Cutter
The innovative Well Cutter enables efficient drill pipe and casing recovery without explosives. No shavings are generated, a smooth, polished surface remains after the cut and e-line conveyance ensures accurate depth control. The Well Cutter offers a safer, faster, more reliable and cost-effective approach to cutting drill pipe and casing.
WeST Drilling Products
Continuous Motion Rig (CMR)
The “Rig of the Future” — Continuous Motion Rig (CMR) — offers the world¥s first continuous drilling operation and is also the world’s first fully robotic rig. CMR reduces the overall drilling time up to 50 percent and facilitates MPD. CMR substantially reduces down-hole problems associated with differential sticking and pressure fluctuations and eliminates personnel safety risk.
Show Details
The Offshore Technology Conference is where energy professionals meet to exchange ideas and opinions to advance scientific and technical knowledge for offshore resources and environmental matters. Founded in 1969, OTC’s flagship conference is held annually in Houston. OTC has expanded technically and globally with the Arctic Technology Conference, OTC Brasil, and OTC Asia. For more information, visit www.otcnet.org/2013.
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