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WEST Engineering Services is a diversified company providing consulting, training and services for drilling equipment on rigs of all types, from ultra-deepwater to land rigs. With WEST, you can reduce downtime and save money by improving the reliability, safety and environmental impacts of your drilling programs. Below is a list of field- and office-based services that WEST offers. Click on each for more details.
In the 25 years since WEST Engineering Services was founded, the company has developed comprehensive expertise and services in a number of drilling equipment areas. These include but are not limited to:
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New and rebuilt equipment and rigs |
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Mechanical and electrical drilling systems |
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Well control equipment |
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| Dynamic positioning (DP) |
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Drilling equipment control systems |
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Power management |
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Systems & Controls |
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Surveys and Assessments
| Survey and assessments of drilling equipment, systems and rigs are conducted for many reasons: |
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Fitness for purpose of new, current and refurbished rigs and equipment |
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Fitness for purpose for contractual, operational or liability purposes |
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Assistance in rig selection |
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Equipment rebuild verification |
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Pre-acceptance documentation review/verification |
| WEST surveys have several features that will benefit your drilling program: |
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Procedures customized for your specific equipment, drilling program and company requirements |
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References to industry standards, regulations and best drilling practices |
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Data from WEST databases that includes prior lessons learned, custom inspection procedures and the rig's history |
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Reports that include potential solutions, not just findings |
| Drill-Through Equipment Surveys |
| WEST pioneered the business of 3rd-party assessments of drill-through equipment (DTE) and is still the preeminent leader in this field, having done thousands of BOP/DTE surveys. |
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| A significant and unique option available for WEST survey work is predictive testing. Such testing, currently not common in the drilling industry, is utilized to a much greater degree in other industries. It is designed and implemented by WEST for DTE equipment to avoid downtime from impending failures. |
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| Drilling System Surveys |
| WEST is also an industry leader in survey assessments of drilling systems on rigs of all kinds, from ultra-deepwater to land rigs. These assessments cover a wide range of equipment and activities. Following are descriptions of some of these. |
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| Dropped Object Surveys |
| You can help increase safety by identifying objects that are at risk of falling from the derrick, such as lifting points improperly added to structural members. |
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| Marine Safety Surveys |
| WEST offers marine safety and operability assessments for rigs, anchor-handling tugs and supply boats. These surveys can also include EERA (Escape, Evacuation Rescue Analysis). |
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| Regulatory Compliance Surveys |
| Regulatory compliance surveys assess regulatory conformity. One example is an environmental compliance survey like an MMS (Minerals Management Service) compliance survey. |
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| Waste Minimization |
| Consulting on methods for minimizing and disposing of waste (toward meeting zero discharge goals). |
Dynamic Positioning, Power Management and Control Systems
Services include inspection, setup, testing and sea trials with troubleshooting. Dynamic positioning services can also include acoustic beacon array performance.
WESTScope Boroscope Inspections
WESTScope boroscope inspections offer internal video inspection of flexible, high-pressure hoses and other hard-to-see equipment at your site.
| Reviewing Operational Management Systems |
| Setting and communicating your expectations are key to good operations. Operational management systems are critical to maintaining and improving these operations. An operational management system review may include: |
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Preventive maintenance programs |
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Documentation of equipment maintenance |
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Emergency response plans |
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Fire-fighting plans and manuals |
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Operation and maintenance manuals |
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Crew/personnel evaluations |
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Spare parts inventories |
Systems & Controls Surveys |
| Today's generation of offshore rigs boast ever-increasing levels of integration and automation managed by increasingly sophisticated control systems. Because of this level of integration, it has become vital that each of these control systems work reliably by themselves, and with other systems. As part of standard WEST rig acceptance services, the WEST Systems & Controls team will work together with WEST surveyors from other disciplines; such as subsea, mechanical, marine and drilling systems; to provide a comprehensive set of services customized for each rig and the standards applicable to your organization. |
Example: Integrated Systems for Engine Control |
To ensure that your systems comply with ever-increasing regulation and compliance requirements, the WEST systems team has developed these consulting and assessment services based on leading security doctrine and industry standards, such as ISO/IEC, OLF and DNV. Following are typical services provided by WEST systems and controls surveys:
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Network infrastructure – verifying the architecture of the network switch gear and cabling, safety system logic and failovers, and testing the cabling and cable plugs (terminations) |
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Integration between systems – making sure that systems work well by themselves and with other systems |
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Information security (INFOSEC) - protecting your data and systems from outside threats. |
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Software testing – testing and verifying fail-overs, alarm operation, data collection, behavior during normal and abnormal conditions |
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Subsea systems – checking proper operation of EDS/riser recoil/dead-man, MUX and umbilical |
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Drilling control systems – verify operation of individual control systems such as the drawworks, top drive, pipe handling system; and the integration of these systems together and with the anti-collision system |
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Power backup systems – tested to design loads and durations |
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Technical compliance – review critical systems for compliance with controlling standards and certification requirements: |
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ISM (International Safety Management) – third-party audit of systems for mandated compliance as of July 2002 |
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Maintenance systems |
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Fire and gas systems |
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Safety systems and interlocks |
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Factory acceptance testing – review of equipment software and setups prior to rig installations, review software testing, witness and document FAT |
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Software configuration management (SCM) – inventory of critical control systems, inventory of all technical control systems, facilitate SCM program governance, integrate Versionworks software as repository of software backups, establish control system for reporting and version management |
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FMECA (Failure Mode, Effects and Criticality Analysis) – failure mode criticality analysis risk management
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DP/PMS/VMS (Dynamic Positioning/Platform/Vessel Management) systems
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Construction Oversight and Project Management
Nothing is more frustrating than having new equipment and then finding that it doesn’t work as you envisioned. The WEST personnel used to oversee, commission and accept new construction have extensive rig operating and maintenance experience. When needed, WEST's engineering expertise may be called upon. Project management services are also available. Working with manufacturers, integrators and shipyards, these WEST personnel ensure that the equipment is fit for your purpose.
Fitting into this category of services are a wide range of activities: |
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FAT (Factory Acceptance Testing) |
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SIT (Site Integration Testing) |
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Operability reviews |
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Precommissioning/Commissioning |
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Final acceptance as fit for purpose |
Precommmissioning/Commissioning
The successful transition between construction and operation must include the development of procedures, plans, and manuals. Training in these operational areas is also critical in integrating corporate standards into new business areas.
WEST can help with the preparation and/or implementation of commissioning documents for all types of newbuild and refurbished rigs, including client-specific requirements. Two examples of these preparatory documents are commissioning procedures and endurance testing programs (to increase reliability).
Shipyard Project Management
WEST personnel can aid your construction oversight efforts with project management for cost control, scheduling, status tracking and resolution, and other reporting activities.
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Specification
Rig Specification
Utilize the parameters of the intended drilling program to develop critical specifications for rig equipment. Include recommended operational efficiency standards as well as technical documentation to aid the selection process. Identify parameters that will disqualify rigs (must-have capabilities).
Rig Screening and Selection
Conduct paper and/or field surveys to recommend rig fitness for purpose based on rig specifications. Review downtime statistics and rig efficiencies. Correlate advantages and disadvantages for various options. Include, prior to contract award, a listing in the contract documents of shortcomings to be resolved prior to commencing drilling. Compare estimated costs for alternate choices using efficiency and downtime data.
Rig Upgrades
Review contractor-planned upgrades; ensure adequate specification, fabrication, installation and/or integration. Perform acceptance against defined criteria. This has been particularly useful to reduce “teething” problems that are commonly experienced as new equipment is added to an existing rig, and reduces failures when drilling starts.
| Equipment Design and Purchasing |
| Most people realize that doing it right from the beginning is undoubtedly the most cost-effective strategy. This process begins with buying what is best for your project. Some of the major functions are listed below: |
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Recommending vendors and models of equipment and systems for purchase using knowledge gained from experience |
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Generating and reviewing equipment specifications (to avoid change orders) |
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Interacting with equipment vendors to resolve mechanical, electronic, and network interface issues between systems |
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Assurance of adequate integration specifications and test regimes |
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Reviewing operator controls for optimized efficiency and availability |
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Reviewing equipment layout |
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Reviewing electrical distribution systems design |
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Reviewing quality plans, ensuring proper hold and witness points |
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Witnessing PMI (Positive Material Identification) |
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Creating or reviewing FAT procedures |
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Optimizing scientific systems support (for scientific drillships) |
Equipment Design and Modifications |
| Several API specifications recommend reporting issues and non-conformances back to the manufacturer for resolution and distribution. Unfortuately this does not consistently happen. As a quality conscious organization, WEST Engineering Services takes the initiative to work with manufacturers to identify the root causes of problems and how to eliminate them. The resolution of these issues often requires the help of WEST's pool of experienced engineers. |
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Engineering Consulting
WEST offers expert engineering consulting for clients with current drilling equipment problems. Clients may even call WEST 24 hours a day for help with equipment problems encountered while drilling. With WEST's help, a client completed 57 consecutive exploration wells in Africa with zero LMRP/BOP pulls.
In addition to this help, WEST offers other engineering consulting services described in the following text.
Technical Risk Assessments
Clients use technical risk assessments to improve the long-term reliability of new or ungraded systems on their rigs. WEST utilizes advanced FMECA (Failure Mode, Effects and Criticality Analysis) and other assessment techniques to deliver a more comprehensive and systematic assessment at the same or lower cost than other techniques being used in the industry.
Reliability Studies
Equipment and systems reliability studies assist clients in eliminating downtime while optimizing their investment in maintenance. These studies utilize statistical analysis, review of maintenance and parts programs and historical information from WEST surveys. Frequently, overall reductions in recommended preventative maintenance tasks and/or frequencies have resulted.
Failure Analyses
Critical and/or frequent failures have caused clients to contract WEST for a more in-depth review of failure with a specific eye on root cause identification. This often results in a multi-pronged solutions approach involving engineering staff, historical field performance and failure experience and the equipment manufacturer.
| Technical Studies and Investigations |
Clients and regulatory bodies use WEST expertise to investigate and report on a number of drilling equipment issues every year. These studies enhance the client's understanding of drilling equipment engineering and operations; making their drilling programs safer and more efficient.
For more details on our Technical Studies & Investigations click here. |
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| Legal Proceedings/Expert Witness Testimony |
| In those regrettable occasions where activities lead to legal actions, WEST Engineering Services personnel have provided technical assistance in the resolution of such cases. Services have included: |
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Technical research |
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Detailed explanations for non-technical audiences, including visual aids |
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Expert witness |
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Training
WEST drilling equipment training can quickly bring your new and experienced personnel up to speed on topics from drilling industry basics to high-tech equipment operation and maintenance. For a complete learning experience, our training courses include labs with actual drilling equipment in a curriculum developed by an instructional designer. In addition, every course or seminar can be customized to meet your company's core needs and ensure that your staff is trained to industry standards.
| Who Should Attend Training? |
| BOP technicians, entry-level subsea engineers, senior subsea engineers, motormen, mechanics, deck hands, engineers, rig supervisors, company men and other personnel who would benefit from learning more about the critical equipment that affects their rig's performance. Both the men on the rig as well as supporting engineers and managers will benefit, as the courses supplement academic learning from college. |
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| WEST Training Will: |
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Bring new personnel up to speed fast |
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Continue the technical development of existing personnel |
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Cross-train personnel for improved communication between groups |
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Educate personnel on new industry regulations and standards |
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Help fill demand for new personnel created by industry growth and an aging work force |
| Courses - using actual drilling equipment: |
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Subsea BOP Controls |
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Symbols, Schematics & Troubleshooting |
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Measurements, Fasteners & Non-Destructive Examination |
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Marine Drilling Riser Systems |
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Top Drives |
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BOPs, Chokes and Valves |
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Motion Compensators and Tensioners (under development) |
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Hazardous Area Electrical Systems |
| Seminars - advanced equipment training: |
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Subsea Drill-Through Equipment |
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Deepwater Challenges |
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Drilling Systems |
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Surface Well Control Equipment |
| For more details on our training courses and seminars click here. |
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On-Site Service Technicians
WEST Tech Services |
| WEST Tech Services is a division of WEST Engineering Services providing skilled service technicians to offshore and land rigs. WEST Tech will provide technicians to assist in troubleshooting, repairs, and upgrades of major OEM equipment such as BOP systems, drawworks, top drives, pipe handling systems and associated subsystems and controls. WEST Tech can also provide skilled technicians to meet your special project needs, on an as-needed basis or as a complete turn-key job. We also provide assistance during systems integration testing, reducing troubleshooting time and keeping downtime to a minimum. |
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Equipment Repair Services |
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Top Drives |
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Mud Pumps |
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Pipe Racking Systems and Conveyors |
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Drawworks |
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Crown-mounted Compensators |
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Riser Tensioners |
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Equipment Control Systems |
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Cable Certification / Verification |
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Boroscope Inspection (WESTscope) |
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BOP Field Services |
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BOP Service and Repairs |
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BOP Control Systems |
Technicians |
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Mechanical Troubleshooting |
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Electronics Troubleshooting |
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Subsea Technicians |
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Diagnostic Training |
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Temporary Staffing |
Drilling Systems Services
Drill floor equipment repairs and upgrades including, repair or complete refurbishment of piperacking systems, drawworks, iron rouchnecks and top drives. WEST Tech can meet your needs. Providing top-notch service personnel and OEM-specified materials, we can minimize your out-of-service time.
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BOP Repair & Services
"Hands-on" technicians for WEST Tech and WEST Technicos do Brasil Ltda can assist your team in transitioning your stack back to working mode. Our highly experienced staff has many years of experience in the repair of all brands of stacks, and in troubleshooting BOP control systems, from older styles to the newest MUX systems. Reducing downtime and out-of-service periods for your rig is our goal. |
WESTScope
Rig piping systems are subject to corrosion, wear and plugging. With internal boroscope inspections you can minimize your risks for loss of containment while ensuring that your fluids will flow without restriction. Internal WESTScope video inspections provide documented results that will reduce your chances of environmental or safety events due to damage not visible externally. |
| Types of problems identified |
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| Blockages |
Barite and dried drilling fluids |
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Barite plugs |
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Dried drilling fluids |
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Internal delamination |
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Blisters |
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| Loss of Pressure Integrity |
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Corrosion |
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Weld anomalies |
Weld anomalies
and material erosion |
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Material erosion |
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Blisters |
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Internal delamination |
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| Applications |
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High-pressure flexible hoses |
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Marine riser auxiliary lines |
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Accumulator bottles and other difficult-to-inspect equipment |
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| Advantages of WESTScope |
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High quality images |
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Mobile - can be brought to your rig |
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Minimum inspection time |
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Inspections in situ (while object remains in place |
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Cable Verification of Network/Control Systems
More and more today, rigs, vessels and drilling equipment are dependent on the reliable operation of multiple, integrated automation systems. This increasing reliance on electronic technology, coupled with the harsh operating environment on rigs, makes it important to ensure the verification/certification of the fiber and copper cabling systems that support drilling operations. Cable and termination reliability makes up a major part of the problems found in automation systems.
| Some benefits of verifying your cabling systems |
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Reduce troubleshooting time |
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Improve reliability of integrated systems |
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Cable specifications verified |
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Proper terminations endured |
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Signal reliability ensured |
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A baseline for future maintenance cycles established |
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| Industry experience has shown that, on average, new cabling and terminations have a 5% failure rate when installed by properly trained personnel. This rate can be much higher with poor training or inadequate test equipment. Cable verification can help you significantly reduce the failure rate. WEST’s cable verification process goes beyond a continuity test to confirm that the cable, terminations and architecture have been established to spec and are fit for the purpose intended. Our cabling and termination verification service offers benefits during most any part of the facility’s lifecycle. Whether a new build, upgrade or as a part of your planned maintenance, the benefits will be readily apparent in reduced downtime during commissioning and operations. |
WEST Subsea Services
WEST Subsea Services offers project support for subsea trees - from manufacturing through installation on the well. Services range from project management to personnel to run the tree.
In-House Equipment Repair
| To give clients convenient access to local, timely repair services, WEST Engineering Services features a 20,000 square foot repair facility at WEST's Drilling Equipment Center (DEC in Brookshire, Texas (just west of Houston). the Drilling Equipment Center offers efficient, quality repairs for oil and gas drilling machinery such as: |
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Top drives |
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Pipe handlers |
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Iron roughnecks |
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Subsea connectors |
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Motion compensators |
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Riser tensioners |
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Pipe racking systems |
| The Drilling Equipment Center also offers in-house hydraulic cylinder repairs for other industrial applications such as: |
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Hydraulic crane cylinders |
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Multi-stage cylinders |
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Construction equipment |
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Hydraulic pumps and motors |
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| If you have a tight schedule, WEST can often turn around your repair in a shorter time than factory shops. Let WEST help you meet your project deadlines! |
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