From another offshore Guyana Whiptail announcement to the launch of new drilling technology, below is a compilation of the latest headlines in the E&P space.
Contracts and company news
Vallourec Delivering Whiptail Line Pipe
Vallourec will deliver line pipe for Exxon Mobil Guyana’s deepwater Whiptail project under a long-term agreement the two companies signed in 2021.
Vallourec will deliver more than 180 km of line pipe, including X80 grade combining high strength with resistance to service conditions, for the Whiptail project in the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana. With the Whiptail order, Vallourec has secured orders for approximately 700 km of line pipe for installation offshore Guyana since December 2021.
Vallourec will supply the line pipe from its Jeceaba (Minas Gerais) mill in Brazil.
Chevron Buying into Walvis Basin Off Namibia
NAMCOR, the National Petroleum Corp. of Namibia, is selling interest in Petroleum Exploration License 82 (PEL 82) in the Walvis Basin to Chevron Namibia Exploration Ltd., NAMCOR said on April 29.
Under the deal, Chevron Namibia will acquire 80% operating interest in the license while NAMCOR and Custos Energy each hold 10% interest. The deal is subject to regulatory approvals from the Ministry of Mines and Energy.
TAQA Launches Torsional Drilling Tech
TAQA announced April 29 its commercial launch of Threlix, a drilling technology designed to help reduce rig downtime by alleviating downhole drilling dysfunctions associated with vibration, torsional oscillations and lack of consistent bit engagement.
The technology also reduces the comparative repair and maintenance cost to the mitigation tool as well as the associated bottom hole assembly components, the company said.
When encountering erratic torque, Threlix rapidly adjusts its length to maintain a consistent depth of cut by balancing counteracting downhole forces to decrease dysfunctions. The toll provides increased downhole reliability and improved overall drilling efficiency. Its 100% oil-sealed spring and spline sections provide no contact with drilling fluid, enhancing downhole reliability and performance, eliminating the need for costly post-run maintenance and reducing associated risks.
A major operator in the Montney Shale, British Columbia, was seeking to increase bit and rotary steerable system life in their 6.25 in. production sections while maintaining consistent parameters and reaching total depth in a single bit run. After performing a detailed pre-run analysis, Threlix was added to their motorized RSS. The improved drilling consistency and decrease in vibrations allowed for a 38% increase in average ROP and single bit run of the section.
HUGIN Endurance Completes Testing
Kongsberg Discovery’s first production system for its long-range AUV, HUGIN Endurance, has completed factory acceptance testing, the company said on April 23.
Sea trials for the first production unit began in September 2023 and culminated in March 2024 with a successful demonstration of capabilities to a customer.
HUGIN Endurance, launched in 2021, is the largest member of Kongsberg Discovery’s HUGIN family of AUVs. The system can come equipped with an array of sensors.
Recommended Reading
Quantum Capital’s View on AI: Lots of Benefits, Pain Points
2024-05-16 - The energy industry is lagging in the race to implement AI, but Sebastian Gass, CTO of Quantum Capital Group, offered a few solutions during Hart Energy’s 2024 SUPER DUG Conference & Expo.
AI Poised to Break Out of its Oilfield Niche
2024-04-11 - At the AI in Oil & Gas Conference in Houston, experts talked up the benefits artificial intelligence can provide to the downstream, midstream and upstream sectors, while assuring the audience humans will still run the show.
PGS Wins 3D Contract Offshore South Atlantic Margin
2024-04-08 - PGS said a Ramform Titan-class vessel is scheduled to commence mobilization in June.
TGS Commences Multiclient 3D Seismic Project Offshore Malaysia
2024-04-03 - TGS said the Ramform Sovereign survey vessel was dispatched to the Penyu Basin in March.
Going with the Flow: Universities, Operators Team on Flow Assurance Research
2024-03-05 - From Icy Waterfloods to Gas Lift Slugs, operators and researchers at Texas Tech University and the Colorado School of Mines are finding ways to optimize flow assurance, reduce costs and improve wells.