Deepwater Managed Pressure Drilling Systems
Solving unique managed pressure drilling challenges of the subsea environment
Working with the unique challenges of the subsea environment requires understanding. Every day, we listen and learn from drilling contractors, operators, and MPD service providers. The result is an innovative portfolio of subsea capabilities that answers their challenges.
Our comprehensive deepwater MPD offering delivers cost savings through improved reliability, operability, predictability, and serviceability. Our systems provide the high degree of flexibility needed to balance integration needs for a rig or rig fleet – so you can use existing rig crews and infrastructure or third-party equipment and services.
Fit-For-Purpose Solutions
Deepwater drilling operations present many different needs and requirements–a one-size-fits-all approach is difficult to apply. That’s why our MPD systems are offered in multiple configurations to allow integration with the rig in a way the makes the most sense for the client.
Active Control Device (ACD)
Our ACD system is the industry’s first active, non-rotating sealing device for MPD operations. The ACD seals the wellbore annulus and diverts returns using a novel, actively energized sealing element controlled by our industry-standard annular packer system. The design allows the system to determine the sealing element condition, while an external sealing element control contains high-pressure wellbore fluids even after the sealing element reaches a worn state. The ACD eliminates complex bearing assemblies and high-wear rotary seal components found in conventional passive rotating control devices (RCD) that are the source of many MPD problems. Monitoring and controlling the seal reduces maintenance, extends service life, and enhances safety. Our ACD, developed specifically for deepwater service, is a fundamental advance in annular pressure containment that eliminates passive rotating control device (RCD) design deficiencies. The ACD’s pioneering MPD capabilities can dramatically reduce costs, eliminate common operational problems, and improve reliability and safety.
According to client preferences, the ACD can interface directly with OEM riser equipment to provide functionality without the need for handling accessories to manage the running and retrieval of the joint. For rig fleets using a common riser type, this also allows for easy movement of the ACD between rigs to support MPD projects.
Drill String Isolation Tool
Our Drill String Isolation Tool (DSIT) is an industry-leading riser annular packer that fits a variety of purposes. As the backbone of most existing riser gas handling (RGH) systems in the field, the DSIT enables the rig to quickly close the riser below the termination joint, allowing gas in the riser to be circulated out safely and efficiently. As a key fixture in many MPD specialty joint systems, the DSIT serves as a secondary sealing system when changing an ACD or RCD seal element assembly, as well as providing RGH capabilities during non-MPD hole sections.
Flow Spool
Our flow spool is a common component in many MPD and RGH specialty joint systems. It serves as a conduit for drilling returns to exit the riser below an ACD and RCD and provides dual outlets and redundant subsea shut-off valves. This functionality diverts drilling fluids, cuttings, and gas safely away from the drill floor while the annulus above it is isolated. The flow spool enables various MPD operations, including applied surface backpressure drilling, pressurized mud cap drilling, and riser gas handling.
Riser Interface Joints
Our flow spool is a common component in many MPD and RGH specialty joint systems. It serves as a conduit for drilling returns to exit the riser below an ACD and RCD and provides dual outlets and redundant subsea shut-off valves. This functionality diverts drilling fluids, cuttings, and gas safely away from the drill floor while the annulus above it is isolated. The flow spool enables various MPD operations, including applied surface backpressure drilling, pressurized mud cap drilling, and riser gas handling.
Unitized MPD Specialty Joint
Our unitized MPD specialty joint integrates our ACD, DSIT, and flow spool functionality in a single compact and lightweight joint. The approach provides the entire spectrum of MPD specialty joint functionalities while minimizing handling constraints when running and retrieving the riser.
Compact Riser Gas Handler (Compact RGH)
The Compact Riser Gas Handling (RGH) system permanently integrates DSIT and flow spool functions in a single joint to remove connections and reduce weight. The compact RGH may interface with our riser flanges or directly with OEM riser equipment as the client determines. Installation of a riser gas handling system improves safety and kick response options while making the rig MPD ready.
Topsides
Always at a premium, deck space is a valuable commodity onboard a deepwater rig. We know that whether for one rig or a rig fleet, MPD systems must maintain a minimal footprint and be sufficiently flexible to accommodate a variety of topside arrangements. We work closely with you to ensure each topside manifold meets your specific needs.
Our engineering team is dedicated to meeting your project objectives with custom designs for the most demanding applications. Our MPD manifolds are supplied as complete units or in smaller modular units to integrate with existing rig systems. Whether to optimize a manifold for a permanent installation or for mobility within a fleet, we help you select the right equipment for your rig.
Distribution Manifold
Our distribution manifold provides a link between the subsea mud return hoses and topside flow control equipment. It also provides connections for pressurized mud cap drilling and chemical injection equipment, links to the rig choke manifold, and isolation valves for pressure testing operations.
MPD Manifold
Our MPD manifolds are tailored to client specifications. We provide clients with a comprehensive solution for deepwater MPD manifolds, including choke, actuator, flow meter and other instrumentation selections; designing the layout for operation and serviceability; and developing control software and implementing condition monitoring. Every MPD manifold benefits from decades of experience and unique process monitoring and control capabilities.
Marine
Our award-winning Active Control Device (ACD) is a step-change in deepwater managed pressure drilling (MPD) systems. The technology was showcased by the Offshore Technology Conference’s 2019 Spotlight on New Technology award program for advanced innovative technologies and was recognized by Hart Energy’s prestigious 2019 Meritorious Awards for Engineering Innovation for excellence and achievement in the upstream industry. Developed specifically for the high-cost marine environment, the ACD system features a novel hydraulically controlled sealing element that allows active condition monitoring and wear compensation control to significantly reduce maintenance costs and rig downtime. Enabling proactive MPD maintenance improves rig efficiency and dramatically cuts the risk of an unplanned failure. The ACD addresses the inherent deficiencies of conventional, passive rotating control devices (RCD) with dual, non-rotating API 16RCD seal sleeve elements. The device eliminates the RCDs bearing assembly for a significant reduction in maintenance and operating costs. ACD active seal sleeve elements are controlled by adjusting the annular packer closing pressure. As the seal wears, the closing force is maintained to ensure the wellbore seal. Pressure change data informs condition-based monitoring.
Drill String Isolation Tool
Our Drill String Isolation Tool (DSIT) is an industry leading riser annular packer that fits a variety of purposes. As the backbone of most existing riser gas handling (RGH) systems in the field, the DSIT enables the rig to quickly close the riser below the termination joint, allowing gas in the riser to be circulated out safely and efficiently. As a key fixture in many MPD specialty joint systems, the DSIT serves as secondary sealing system when changing an ACD or RCD seal element assembly, as well as providing RGH capabilities during non-MPD hole sections.
Flow Spool
Our flow spool is a common component in many MPD and RGH specialty joint systems. It serves as a conduit for drilling returns to exit the riser below an ACD, RCD, and provides dual outlets and redundant subsea shut-off valves. This functionality diverts drilling fluids, cuttings and gas safely away from the drill floor while the annulus above it is isolated. The flow spool enables various MPD operations, including applied surface back pressure drilling, pressurized mud cap drilling, and riser gas handling.
Riser Interface Joints
Riser interface joints enable sharing of riser components between rigs with differing riser systems without modifications. Our riser interface joints are non-load sharing and are manufactured by us with the minimum ratings of the OEM equipment maintained. Riser interface joints are designed in accordance with API 16F, ABS CDS, and DNV OS E101 and are third-party approved by DNV and/or ABS for all OEM riser flanges.
Elastomer
We provide unique capabilities with elastomer products based on years of extensive real-world experience, modelling, and testing. Our industry-leading expertise delivers quality components for the most critical drilling operations. Each of our elastomer products are tested in accordance with API and ASTM specifications.
Packers
We supply premium annular packers for deepwater MPD operations. Our propriety packer designs and consistent performance are the result of extensive design and testing experience that has produced unique insights into elastomer behavior under a variety of condition. Our packer products are tested in accordance with API and ASTM specifications.
Seal Sleeve
Our unique seal sleeve element is key to the award-winning ACD. The seal sleeve features a durable polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) honeycomb insert co-molded with a polyurethane buffer material and reusable steel end caps. The innovative co-molded element allows elimination of maintenance-intensive rotating components used by conventional RCD designs, significantly reducing costs over the lifecycle of the equipment. Key to the design is our expertise in elastomer manufacturing.
Riser Running Tool and Spider Split Ring
Our riser running tool in hydraulic and manual configurations is used to add and remove riser joints to the riser stack in a fast, efficient and safe manner. Using our riser flange, the tools facilitate the use of riser interface joints to increase MPD utilization in a rig fleet. We also supply spider/split ring adapters to enable the rig’s spider system to properly land the riser flange.
Together, the riser running tool and spider split ring adapter enable the rig to handle riser joints equipped with our flanges safely and quickly, regardless of the riser equipment used by the rig.
Seal Sleeve Running Tools
Our seal sleeve running tools facilitate make up to the drillstring to minimize rig time required to retrieve and replace a seal sleeve element assembly. Whether the client prefers to leave the tool in the string or selectively use the tools, our running tools provide a simple but robust mechanism for handling operations. Field experience demonstrates that a seal assembly can be replaced in as little as 30 minutes.
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