Three operators join subsea wellhead JIP

Nov. 21, 2011
Plexus Holdings has attracted four companies as consulting partners for its program to develop a safer subsea wellhead using Plexus’ POS-GRIP technology.

Offshore staff

LONDON– Plexus Holdings has attracted four companies as consulting partners for its program to develop a safer subsea wellhead using Plexus’ POS-GRIP technology.

Maersk Oil North Sea UK, Shell International Exploration and Production BV, Wintershall Noordzee BV, and technology consultancy SafeKick have signed onto the joint industry project (JIP).

Plexus is in discussions with three more international oil and gas operators interested in joining.

The JIP was initiated in October 2010 in response to industry suggestions that Plexus develop a subsea application of its POS-GRIP surface and platform friction-grip wellhead technology.

The new HGSS subsea wellhead will be designed to address technical issues and requirements highlighted following the Macondo incident in April 2010. JIP members will contribute to the design and engineering process, and may become end users once the HGSS wellhead is built, tested, and commercialized.

Development should take 18-24 months, with a total cost over a two-year period estimated at $2.35-3.12 million.

A subsea development and engineering team for the JIP will be recruited and located in a dedicated building in Aberdeen. Plexus will own the Intellectual property (IP) generated by the project.

11/21/2011