Oil States Industries introduces combined managed pressure drilling and riser system

Oil States Industries, Inc. (OSI) a global provider of manufactured products and services for the traditional and renewable energy sectors, announced its new Managed Pressure Drilling and Riser Gas Handling (MPD and RGH) System. The award-winning MPD and RGH System integrates managed pressure drilling and riser gas handling into a deepwater drilling riser to unlock greater speed, economy, performance and safety.

In conventional designs, disconnecting the Lower Marine Riser Package (LMRP) is necessary to perform maintenance and requires pulling the joint to the surface, creating significant nonproductive time (“NPT”). The MPD and RGH System’s innovative design features retrievable annular packers, which allow replacement and servicing in minutes – without disconnecting the LMRP – to substantially reduce maintenance and NPT. The MPD and RGH is the only riser system that’s completely serviceable over the well center. The system also promotes long bearing life with FlexJoint™ technology to further decrease maintenance requirements.

The system includes key features that remove workers from the red zone to significantly increase safety. A pull-in bridle connects flowlines and umbilical in one hands-free connection, creating a safer environment on the vessel while increasing reliability. It securely locks in place using a hydraulic connector. The MPD and RGH System also reduces trapped gas volume to just 1.8 barrels, compared to 47 barrels with conventional riser systems. While OSI’s MPD system can be integrated with existing risers from any OEM, it can also be combined with OSI’s fully automated, hands-free Merlin™ Marine Drilling Riser (MMDR) which provides fast connection make-up in less than 40 seconds, while also eliminating the need for personnel on the rig floor.

The MPD and RGH system also reduces rig footprint by 40%. The lightweight and compact design incorporates integral riser connections, removing the need for crossovers that add length, weight and labor costs. It can be made up with the riser spider and installed in minutes. The MPD and RGH system can be installed as a new system or a simple upgrade for existing systems.

“Safety and speed are crucial in offshore drilling operations, and higher performance is standard with the MPD and RGH System,” said Scott Moses, President of OSI. “It’s engineered to create a safer environment, dramatically decrease NPT, promote faster connections and enhance total cost of ownership.”

Through a global footprint spanning 14 countries and more than 1,300 employees, Oil States leverages its engineering and analysis, manufacturing, testing, and offshore operational experience to provide integrated systems and services. Oil States provides best-in-class, 24/7 service and support around the world through service centers located in every major offshore basin.

The MPD and RGH system, winner of the Offshore Technology Conference 2022 Spotlight on New Technology® Award, will be showcased by OSI at the 2022 Offshore Technology Conference at NRG Park in Booth 1940. Throughout the conference, OSI will celebrate its 80th anniversary and demonstrate how the Company has evolved to connect the energy future with traditional and lower-carbon energy sources for a multisource energy mix.