Seadrill, Oil States collaborate to enhance offshore managed pressure drilling operations
(WO) – Seadrill Limited and Oil States International, Inc. signed a non-exclusive collaborative relationship aimed at increasing the safety and efficiency of offshore managed pressure drilling (MPD) operations.
This strategic initiative combines Oil States’ MPD Integrated Riser Joint (IRJ) system with Seadrill’s high-spec fleet of floating drilling vessels to enhance safety and efficiency while simplifying and standardizing MPD systems operating in the offshore drilling market.
Oil States’ field-proven MPD IRJ improves the safe handling of gas influx while significantly reducing nonproductive time (NPT) typically encountered with deepwater MPD operations.
Unlike legacy equipment, Oil States’ IRJ is specifically designed to enhance MPD operational efficiency. This riser joint is more compact, allowing for safer and easier handling with greater functionality, which enables the rig to remain over the well while testing the retrievable seals within the joint. All features of the IRJ can be function and pressure tested while on deck.
The IRJ is equipped with twin retrievable annular seals, a passive rotating control device (RCD) bearing assembly and hard-faced bore that eliminates the need for a wear sleeve. Collectively, these advances reduce NPT and unnecessary trips while promoting longer bearing and seal life. With the IRJ, MPD operations are seamless and streamlined, which supports Seadrill’s MPD standardization efforts while delivering safer, more efficient operations to their customers.
Oil States President and CEO, Cindy Taylor commented, “While supporting Seadrill’s adoption and integration of our MPD system, we endeavor to optimize our equipment to allow for oil and gas reserves to be unlocked safely and efficiently to meet growing global energy demands.”
Samir Ali, Executive Vice President, Chief Commercial Officer, Seadrill, said, “We are enthusiastic about this strategic collaboration with Oil States. This technology places Seadrill at the forefront of safe, cost-effective deepwater MPD services, offering our customers an unrivaled simplicity of MPD drilling while providing the highest levels of drilling efficiency and safety.”
