Latest News

• Region: Australia
• Topics: Integrity
• Date: Nov, 2022

Well-SENSE, a downhole sensing specialist, has deployed its FiberLine Intervention (FLI) technology at a large carbon capture and storage (CCS) facility, in an industry-first application.

FLI has already been well-proven in a variety of seismic, acoustic and temperature monitoring applications in the oil and gas sector and has just completed its first geothermal well survey for Eden Geothermal in Cornwall.

The fibre-optic monitoring system has since been deployed for a leading integrated energy operator in Australia and marks the first time that fibre has been used to survey live CCS wells and reservoirs.
The new application in the carbon sequestration sector provides a safe, low-risk monitoring solution in a highly corrosive CO2 environment where traditional intervention solutions are often detrimentally affected.

The energy operator employed FLI in a field trial to study well integrity, CO2 flow characterisation and plume movement within the reservoir. FLI’s distributed temperature sensing (DTS) enabled assessment of the reservoir zones, while its distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) simultaneously acquired vertical and passive seismic data.

Annabel Green, CEO at Well-SENSE, commented, “Our FiberLine Intervention system was selected by this leading operator, to be evaluated as a potential alternative to the use of wireline production logging tools. Our system’s advantages include its extremely compact rig-up, much lighter surface pressure control equipment which uses a static rather than a dynamic seal and a simpler deployment method compared to conventional techniques. FLI also uses a bare fibre that is impervious to the corrosive effect of CO2, which helped to make this intervention possible.

“Several challenges were overcome efficiently, including the requirement to leave the fibre in the well for four days with exposure to strong fluid cross flows, the requirement for immediate Cloud data transfer from the wellsite to the operator’s technical centre and servicing a remote wellsite near live infrastructure. We are delighted that operations were performed incident free with no major NPT events and that our unique technology provided valuable, high-quality data from multiple wells.”

• Region: North Sea
• Date: Nov, 2022

With an ever-increasing demand and healthy oil price appearing to reach relative stability, much of the oil and gas industry has thrived across 2022, despite the tumultuous geopolitical environment threatening to upset Covid-19 recovery efforts.

As supply from Russia continues to reduce, European countries are preparing to fill the gap by boosting production while balancing their environmental commitments. To help walk this tightrope, there are calls for operators in the North Sea to invest more into offshore well intervention an opportunity which could see it emerge as a cornerstone of the North Sea industry.

With more capital available for spending on such activities and a plethora of shut-ins, experts have highlighted how the industry is also presented with a blank canvas in the North Sea for testing new technologies. The eventual implementation of these could really help tip the balance in the risk versus reward scale and take down a potential barrier preventing future interventions.

While stimulating production is the most pressing concern at this time, increasingly influential regulators are ensuring that the decommissioning wave on the horizon is not removed from gaze. As climate concerns continue to mount and the ageing region advances in its maturity, there is growing pressure for the industry to expand their attention on end of life activity. This is work that will not simply disappear and, with soaring profits rolling in from high demand and healthy oil price, there are calls for operators to take advantage of this boom and get ahead of their liabilities – a trend which could open up the market for companies offering project management, engineering analysis, data collection, downhole tools, etc within this workscope.

Download the full, free-to-read report on these trends and more here.

• Region: Middle East
• Topics: Integrity
• Date: Nov, 2022

Clariant Oil Services, a leading supplier of specialty oilfield production chemicals and services to the oil and gas industry with product offerings in enhances oil recovery, offshore and deep water, well services additives and more, has expanded its presence in EMEA with the launch of a state-of-the-art facility for advanced oil and gas solutions.

Clariant made the announcement alongside the return of ADIPEC in Abu Dhabi which is taking place from 31 October – 3 November. The EMEA Technical Centre is located in the Dubai Science Park (DSP) in Dubai, UAE, and will leverage the latest technologies and more sustainable oilfield chemicals.

The hub will give customers in major oil producing countries access to Clariant’s global innovation team and address three competencies: corrosion, fluid separation, and flow assurance.

“The EMEA Technical Centre brings autonomous application testing facilities to the oil and gas industry, doubling throughput and allowing customers to swiftly realise performance and cost-driven solutions,” said Zied Ghazouani, Head of EMEA, Clariant Oil Services. “Clariant will deploy novel solutions to protect the integrity of customer assets, ensure continuity of production, and enhance asset productivity, while not losing sight of sustainable development goals.”

Clariant is committed to using its world-leading expertise to help customers achieve their sustainability transformations across every phase of the oil and gas lifecycle. Earlier this year, Clariant Oil Services launched the D3 PROGRAM to introduce more sustainable solutions to the oil and gas industry. The initiative helps operators reduce carbon emissions and enhance safe operations, while avoiding disruptions to ongoing operations.

• Region: Latin America
• Topics: Decommissioning
• Date: Oct, 2022

Helix Energy Solutions Group has received a deepwater well decommissioning contract award by Shell Brasil Petroleo Ltd to perform P&A services on subsea wells located in the Bijupira and Salema fields in the Campos Basin.

Helix will provide the Q7000, a riser-based well intervention vessel; a 10K Intervention Riser System; and remotely operated vehicles to complete the project which is expected to take 12 months after starting in early in 2024.

The Q7000, equipped with an IMO-certified DP3 system and the Helix-designed IRS, can execute well intervention operations in water depths ranging from 85 m to 3,000 m. With its open deck plan and tri-axial configuration, the Q7000 is capable of a wide range of production enhancement operations including well clean-up and field development support. The vessel is equally optimised for well decommissioning, including suspension, tubing removal, tree recovery and sea floor clearance.

Scotty Sparks, Helix’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, commented, “We are pleased that Helix has been awarded this major well decommissioning contract. This is another step forward in the execution of our strategic objectives which includes contributing to the energy transition by providing best-in-class and global leading decommissioning services. We look forward to continuing our relationship with Shell.”

• Region: Asia Pacific
• Date: Oct, 2022

T7 Global Berhad, a leading solutions provider primarily in the energy industry with a strong presence in Asia, has announced that Hibiscus Oil & Gas Malaysia Limited, has awarded a work order to Tanjung Offshore Services, a wholly-owned subsidiary of T7, for integrated well services.

The work order, awarded under the Pan Malaysia Umbrella Contract, is effective from 3 August 2022 until 2 August 2024 on a call-out basis and includes integrated well services for intervention, workover and abandonment for PACs. Under the Pan Malaysia Umbrella Contract, Tanjung Offshore will be participating in upcoming jobs for integrated well services for well workover and well abandonment from petroleum arrangement contractors (PACs) in Malaysia.

T7 Global Group Chief Executive Officer, Tan Kay Zhuin, commented, “We are honoured and thankful for this award from Hibiscus. This award marks a milestone for Tanjung Offshore as this award include well workover and plug and abandonment services under the Pan Malaysia Umbrella Contract.

“Integrated well services, which covers both production wells and abandonment of old wells, will form part of our long-term energy solutions for offshore operators. Over the next few years, we aim to secure more similar jobs by providing innovative well solutions to other offshore operators in the region.”

• Region: All
• Date: Oct, 2022

Schlumberger has officially changed its name to SLB in an effort to underline its vision for a decarbonised energy future and affirming its transformation to a global technology company focused on driving energy innovation for a balanced planet.

The legacy Schlumberger brand and nearly all of its affiliated brands will become one under the new SLB brand, which comes with a new logo and fresh identity.

Olivier Le Peuch, Chief Executive Officer, SLB, commented, “Today we face the world’s greatest balancing act – providing reliable, accessible and affordable energy to meet growing demand, while rapidly decarbonising for a sustainable future. This dual challenge requires a balance of energy affordability, energy security and sustainability. It requires a balance of innovation and decarbonisation in the oil and gas industry as well as clean energy solutions. It requires a balanced energy mix for a balanced planet.

“Our new identity symbolises SLB's commitment to moving farther and faster in facilitating the world's energy needs today and forging the road ahead for the energy transition. It’s a bold challenge. But the legacy of our people, technology and performance are unmatched, and we are ready to answer this challenge.”

The SLB brand builds on nearly a century of technology innovation and industrialisation expertise in the energy services industry. The company has spent the last three years laying the groundwork for its increasing focus on low – and zero –carbon energy technology solutions while continuing to drive innovation, decarbonisation and performance for the oil and gas industry.

This includes the launch of its New Energy business; its commitment to a net-zero target inclusive of total Scope 3 emissions from its technologies; the introduction of Transition Technologies to its portfolio; and the announcement of SLB End-to-end emissions Solutions.

With these foundations laid, SLB will now focus on delivering results-driven solutions for its customers across new energy systems, industrial decarbonisation, digital at scale and oil and gas innovation.

Katharina Beumelburg, Chief Strategy and Sustainability Officer, SLB, remarked, “Our new identity boldly symbolises our ambition to accelerate the energy transition with sustainability at the centre of everything we do. Our new brand and strategy are built for this moment in our history. A moment that demands the need for a balanced energy system for our planet and the need to achieve and go beyond net zero to address the climate challenge.

“Everything we have chosen, from the shape of the logo to our new, bright blue colour, symbolises the boldness of our ambitions and ingenuity of our team to make the new energy future a reality. ’For a balanced planet’ is more than just our new tagline. It’s central to our purpose and our culture. It takes the incredible history of this world-class company, enhances it and moves it forward toward a more sustainable and net zero future.”

• Region: Latin America
• Date: Oct, 2022

DOF Subsea has been awarded a three-year contract for two vessels with Esso Exploration & Production Guyana Limited to perform well intervention support; inspection, maintenance and support (IMR); and light subsea construction activities.

This will all be performed to support the growing subsea infrastructures in the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana.

Two Multipurpose Support Construction Vessels with 250-ton AHC crane and two work class ROV systems will be deployed in the country for three-year terms. There is also a possibility they will remain in the region for an additional two years after this time.

The first vessel will mobilise in late October while the second vessel is planned to commence in January 2023.

Mons S Aase, CEO, DOF Subsea commented, “I am extremely happy with this contract award from ExxonMobil Guyana, and entering the important and flourishing Guyanese market. The award further underlines DOF’s leading position in the IMR segment.”

• Region: All
• Date: Oct, 2022

20 winners have been selected over seven categories for the Net Zero Technology Centre (NZTC) UK£10mn funding competition.

The NZTC launched its Open Innovation Programme in March, 2022, aimed at developing tech in the hope of starting initiatives which will reduce offshore emissions, accelerate clean energy production and deliver on the UK’s net zero ambition.

Of the 154 applicants for the first UK£8mn trache, 20 have been selected, the majority of which reside in Scotland, for the second round which will be announced later in the year for the remaining funding.

The competition winners were selected over seven categories: carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS), hydrogen and clean fuels, renewables and energy storage, zero emissions power, venting and flaring, integrity management and last life and decommissioning.

Highlighting some of the winners, Copsys has designed an ‘intelligent digital skin’ paint-based technology which can detect corrosion. Innovatium has designed a Liquid Air Battery which can store excess renewable power and high-density pressurised liquid air, which can further be converted into electrical power. Sulmara Subsea won with an uncrewed drone system which will significantly reduce the size of vessel needed for offshore survey. Enertechnos has created a specialised cable designed to electrify North Sea oil and gas installations, and Heriot-Watt Univeristy has designed a new tool to measure the probability of CO2 leaks from wells.

“There have been some really exciting technologies come through in the programme – each and every one of them has real potential. They went through a robust screening in the indutsy to see how viable they were – and if we could have we would have supported more,” said Head of Emissions at the NTZC, Rebecca Allison.

Each project has at least one industry sponsor and an NTZC project manager.

• Region: Asia Pacific
• Topics: Decommissioning
• Date: Oct, 2022

James Christie, who is Regional Director for Ashtead Technology’s Asia Pacific region, and has been with the company for over three years, also assumes the role of Head of Mechanical Solutions as the company looks to cement its market position as a leader in IMR and decommissioning services for the global offshore energy sector.

Christie has over 22 years’ subsea industry experience following a career that has seen him accumulate extensive experience of both offshore and shore-based ROV and life of field operations. In his expanded role, Christie will continue to be based in Singapore and will work with Ashtead Technology’s regional teams to grow the company’s capabilities and drive forward the international expansion of its mechanical solutions service line which specialises in subsea cutting, dredging, coating removal technologies and ROV tooling and associated services, all built through the acquisitions of Forum Subsea Rentals, Underwater Cutting Solutions, Aqua-Tech, and most recently, WeSubsea.    

Allan Pirie, Ashtead Technology’s CEO, said, “James has been instrumental in supporting the international growth of the business during his time with us so far and based on his background and expertise in the subsea IMR and decommissioning sectors he was a natural choice to take on this growth-focused role.

“This appointment comes at a time where there is tremendous scope to grow our mechanical solutions business internationally and through ongoing investment in our equipment, people and infrastructure, we look forward to capitalising on these opportunities globally.”

Christie said, “I am thrilled to take on this leadership role at such an exciting and pivotal stage in Ashtead Technology’s growth journey and work with my mechanical solutions colleagues across our international locations to continue to deliver best-in-class technologies and services to support our customers’ offshore energy projects.”

• Region: North Sea
• Date: Oct, 2022

The North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA), in its latest Wells Insight Report, has recommended a series of measures to bolster oil and gas production in the North Sea.

The report found that drilling activity had remained low in 2021 due to the impact of Covid-19 with drilling operations falling from 141 wells in 2019 to 66 in 2020. It added that, as a result of this production totalled 480 million barrels in 2021 which was down from 600 million in 2019.

The NSTA report suggested that drilling will most likely pick up in the medium term, spurred by the 33rd offshore oil and gas licensing round (the first since 2019).

However, a pivotal component of bringing production rates back up is the implementation of more well interventions – a policy which the NSTA wishes to see more of. It noted that due to a reduction in well maintenance in 2021, the performance of the existing wellstock has further declined, with 34% of total active wells on the UKCS now shut-in or plugged.

Many types of intervention cost just UK£5-10 per barrel, which should make it an attractive option for industry, particularly when oil and gas prices are high.

Disappointingly, the NSTA added, intervention work was carried out on just 15% of wells in 2021, down from 17% in 2020, resulting in the addition of only 36.2 million barrels of production, well below the average of 50 million added in previous years.

Some operators are facing logistical constraints on their platforms and/or with supply chain availability. In addition, subsea well intervention remains stubbornly low, as fewer than 10% of subsea wells are being surveyed and/or receiving maintenance work each year.

To sustain domestic production and bolster the UK’s energy security, the NSTA is actively working with operators on ways to accelerate exploration and development plans and perform more maintenance and intervention work on the existing well stock.

• Region: North Sea
• Date: Oct, 2022

Dana Petroleum has selected leading service provider, Petrofac, to provide well management services for all of its UK North Sea operated assets.

The two-year contract, which will include providing services to both the Triton FPSO (Floating Production Storage and Offloading) and the Western Isles FPSO vessels, continues on the back of an existing five-year relationship between the two companies. Petrofac previously provided outsourced well engineering services to Dana’s 11 operated and 18 non-operated Licenses in the UK North Sea.

The contract includes full life cycle well engineering, from initial concept through detailed design and planning, supporting well construction, intervention, and decommissioning activities. The contract is valued at approximately US$60mn.

“I’m proud of the value we have been delivering to Dana for the last five years, but there is no better validation of our delivery than our customers decision to retain our services. We look forward to supporting their delivery of value for their shareholders through continued safe, reliable and efficient operations,” said Nick Shorten, Chief Operating Officer, Petrofac’s Asset Solutions.

Chief Operating Officer at Dana Petroleum, Andy Duncanson, said, “We are really pleased to award this new contract to Petrofac. Dana is committed to doing all we can to support the supply chain and nurture the specialist skills that are so important for both our business and the wider sector.”

• Region: North Sea
• Date: Oct, 2022

When conventional recovery methods failed to retrieve a flow target left downhole, a North Sea oil and gas operator approached Oilenco to create a bespoke solution to clear the restriction and allow abandonment operations to continue.

The initial project investigation identified several potential challenges:

• Unknown orientation of the flow target
• The flow target had the ability to rotate
• The hanger type needed to be identified
• Recovery was ruled out due to tight tolerances between the seal bores and OD of the flow target.

The concept

Oilenco began a collaboration project with Welltec to create a solution that reduced the restriction caused by the flow target, maximising access to the wellbore, allowing the operator to use industry standard plugging and cutter options.

The proposal was to use a unique ‘offset or eccentric’ milling solution to drill a large hole through the flow target using Welltec milling technology.

A conventional concentric milling approach would have caused the flow target to rotate, however by creating an offset within the milling guide sleeve, the flow target would be prevented from rotating.

The result

Following successful onshore trials and approval by the client, the operation was completed.  Using the Oilenco depth indicator tool, a bespoke design for the asset, the client was able to correlate the depth, determine the position of the flow target, and verify the hanger type from one run of the tool.  

An offset milling sleeve was then run to stabilise the flow target and protect the seal bores throughout the operation using the results from the depth indicator tool.

Once milling was complete, a flow target conduit protection sleeve was run, allowing the operator safe access through the milled flow target for well entry and exit.

Client support

Following numerous unsuccessful fishing attempts, the client was looking for an optimised solution to solve their novel issue in the most efficient and effective way.

In collaboration with Welltec and the client P&A team, Oilenco supported the project from design, through to manufacture, providing workshop and offshore support to asset personnel helping to ensure a successful operation. 

The client provided feedback stating, “The flow target was not wedged in place within the tubing hanger and could move around, so it was a great achievement in milling it and gaining access allowing a successful P&A of the well.

“Our confidence in this solution allowed us to call off the preparation of a costly coil tubing contingency. This operation is seen as a huge success.”

This article was authored by Oilenco. For more information, visit the Oilenco and Welltec websites.