Subsea Well Intervention

2 September 2009 Aberdeen Evening Meeting

Chairman Tom Leeson, Technology Manager, TSMarine
Sponsored by TSMarine

Report by Bill Donaldson

Flyer

Overview

Rigless Subsea Intervention

Tom Leeson, Technology Manager, TSMarine

Subsea well intervention is utilised at all stages during the production life of a field, from well start-up through production maintenance to abandonment at the end of the field's life. The challenges for the subsea industry are varied and include issues such as taking control of a well from an intervention. This evening meeting's guests spoke about current and future subsea technology that is applied to well intervention.

Presentations

Subsea Lubricators

Drummond Lawson, Managing Director, Lewis Ltd

Specialist intervention technologies open new opportunities for subsea well intervention. Drummond reviewed existing subsea well intervention equipment capabilities and then took a look at how the latest developments of new technologies designed specifically for subsea well intervention are promising to open new possibilities to achieve more and reach deeper water depths than ever before, without the need to use a drilling rig.

Subsea Well Intervention Vessel Update

Eamonn McGennis, Business Planning Well Ops (UK) Ltd

Efficient subsea intervention can help improve the economics of all subsea fields. Key to efficiency is the intervention vessel for operations in the North Sea and efficiency has been a key focus. The vessel is equipped with an open multi-purpose tower which improves access for operations. The deck skidding system simplifies the movement of equipment. The coiled tubing handling package removes crew from the deck area. The presentation reviewed the new vessel, the Well Enhancer, and its improved equipment systems.

Deepwater Riser Deployment System

Dick Pearce, Managing Director, Geoprober Drilling

One of the main limitations for small, multipurpose vessels to successfully carry out deepwater intervention operations lies on the safe working load of its handling system. The handling systems on most vessels suspend the loads at significant height creating stability problems and greatly reducing the operability envelope and capability of such systems. To oversome this limitation, Geoprober has developed a deepwater deployment system named the Subsea Reverse Derrick, which also improves the stability of the vessel, because the heavy loads are suspended and handled below the keel lowering its centre of gravity.