Offshore staff
BJ Tubular Services has completed a complex hammer conductor-driving operation on an ultra-deep well for a major operator in the Gulf of Mexico's continental shelf. The operator drilled the well in South Timbalier block 168 to 32,000 ft TD. It is part of a new offshore Louisiana development that covers several blocks in the South Timbalier and Ship Shoal regions.
Prior to the arrival of theScooter Yeargain jackup, BJ began the conductor-driving operation in 72 ft of water using lift boats. The company drove a 72-in. custom-welded conductor with a 2.5-in. wall thickness to 376 ft below the mud line. This required penetrating a thick layer of sand measuring 140 ft.
The company used field-proven hammer conductor-driving equipment. The BJ S-200 Hydrohammer with a force of 147,500 ft/lb achieved a maximum of 479 blows/ft at 147 kips.
BJ Services' well services division also deployed two stimulation vessels, theDiscovery and the Blue Ray to provide pumping power for the jetting operation. The two vessels provided a total pumping capacity of 20,900 hp and a maximum pumping rate of 57 bbl/min.
Following installation of the 72-in. conductor, the company attached the pile clamp and steel stabbing guides to the conductor. Afterwards, the company installed two 36-in. batter piles to support the conductor. BJ drove the two 36-in. batter piles to 188 ft below the mudline using a second lift boat with an S-90 Hydrohammer.
BJ installed a 48-in. crossover to the top of the pile using temporary decks and a navigation aid. A boat landing and ladders were also installed on the conductor.
06/10/05
