Offshore staff
STRAUME, Norway – AGR subsidiary Ocean Riser Systems has a $20-million letter of intent from Statoil to supply its next-generation EC-Drill managed pressure drilling system.
According to AGR, the technique uses state-of-the-art control system capability, enhanced riser integration, and other features. Testing is due to start in the fall, with eventual deployment offshore Norway.
EC-Drill addresses the typical deepwater drilling issue of a narrow pressure window. It manipulates bottomhole pressure by changing the level of drilling mud in the riser, allowing the operator to “walk the line” between pore and fracture pressures.
It provides more control than conventional drilling while enhancing safety, the company adds, and makes it possible to cost-effectively hit deep targets that are out of reach of more conventional drilling techniques.
7/25/2013