Wright's Well Control Services introduces new heave-compensated wireline system

Wright's Well Control Services has launched a new heave-compensated wireline system, designed to compensate for the motion of a heaving vessel for safer operations using tools or tubing strings. The tensioner serves as a pneumatic shock absorber and spring device, using compressed nitrogen as the spring and hydraulic fluid for damping. In addition, the sheave housing mounted on the top and bottom of the cylinder provides a two-to-one mechanical advantage, which rapidly removes slack in the cable and maintains steady tension as the vessel rises and falls in heaving seas.

Specifications include a rating of 32,000 lb; the ability to add up to 6,000 lb nitrogen via a quick connection; a maximum working pressure of 3,000 psi; and a weight of 9,200 lb.

Wright's says that for deployment, the wireline is fed from a deployment winch, reeved around two sheave assemblies on each end of tensioner. The wireline goes through snatchblock placed above moonpool; and at the control panel, the operator monitors operations and increases or decreases tension as required.

The company says that the benefits of the new system include greatly reduced risk of the wireline breaking and losing tool string, and the fact that it allows continued wireline operations in rougher seas. In addition, Wright's says the new system minimizes downtime needed to re-head the line and replace tool string, and delivers cost-savings to the client.