ÇAĞRILI KONUŞMALAR / KEYNOTES Invited Speeches ... - TPJD

Top Drive Casing Running System Success in Turkey for TPAO on the Black Sea
Deep Water Project
Bernard Warmerdam
Weatherford International, Netherlands
Application description: First time utilizing a Top Drive Casing Running & Drilling system on semisubmersible
rig Leiv Eiriksson offshore in The Black Sea at a water depth of +/- 2011 meter (6596
Ft)
Operating company: TPAO
In Turkey Drilling Contractor: Ocean Rig ASA
Results, Observations, and Conclusions: The Top Drive Casing Running & Drilling system was used
on two subsea wells, respectively Yassihouk and Surmene, over a 7 month period for running
various casing string sizes: - 18” 128# P110, ran one liner string, length 206 meters - 16” 96#
125HC, ran two liner strings, length 650 meters - 13-5/8” 88.2# 125HC, ran one casing string,
length 1560 meters - 9-5/8” 53.5# 125HC, ran one liner string, length 910 meters The Top Drive
Casing Make-up Tool combines a power tong including independent torque-turn monitoring,
main hoisting elevator, fill-up and circulation tool, single joint handling and a thread weight
compensator, The thread weight compensator eliminated any cross threading and damage
of threaded connections. None of the casing joints were damaged or laid out, which reduces
nonproductive time (NPT) during casing running operations. This system eliminates much of
the manual handling of traditional casing running equipment on the rig floor and the need for
working on rig floor scaffolds. The system also incorporates link tilt bail arms including remotely
operated single joint elevator to align the casing for makeup, eliminating the requirement of
having a stabber working in the derrick. The client and drilling contractor classified the system as
a “hands-off” system, eliminating activities when using conventional equipment: - Manual pipe
stabbing - Power tong positioning and door closing - Pinch points in respect of manual handling
As the system is connected to the top drive, the total casing running operation is mainly in
control of the driller, enabling an increase in casing running efficiency and consistency compared
to conventional running equipment. This reduces the “open” hole time and the potential for
differential sticking or cave-in of the well bore. As some of the casing running operations were
executed in bad weather conditions (heavy winds / rig motion) the casing running operations
could continue as they may have been stopped if conventional equipment would have been be
used. The remotely operated system is completely portable and requires no permanent interface
into the rig structure.
Significant New Contributions Using the top drive casing make-up system resulted in: - Reduced
overall casing running time (“flat” rig time) - Improved efficiency and operational safety on rig floor
- Casing joint run rate 14 joints per hour - Utilization of remotely operated single joint elevator -
Elimination need of stabber in the derrick - Less nonproductive time. The weight compensation
system eliminated cross threading or thread damage during stabbing, make-up or spin-out of
connections. - Reaching Total Depth through the ability to circulate, rotate or reciprocate the
casing string at any tight spot or restriction point during lowering of the casing string into the
well bore - Allows continuation of casing running operations in bad / harsh weather conditions
Acknowledgements: T.P.A.O. Drilling Department Al Brockie, Project Manager Exceed Leif
Hustavnes, Toolpusher SSDR Leiv Eiriksson, Ocean Rig ASA Eugene Murphy, Rig Manager SSDR
Leiv Eiriksson, Ocean Rig ASA, Turkey Operations. Silvio Del Grammastro, OverDrive System
supervisor, Weatherford Italy
303