WEST pioneered the business of 3rd-party assessments of well control equipment and is still the preeminent leader in this field, with thousands of BOP/well control 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, such as:
Nothing is more frustrating than having new equipment and then finding that it does not work as you envisioned. Highly experienced WEST personnel will oversee, commission and accept new construction. 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.
Technical Studies and Investigations
Not only has WEST performed thousands of surveys on drilling rigs around the world, we have also executed many in-house technical studies. These have ranged in length from only a few days to ongoing. Information has been collected for over twenty-five years on many aspects of drilling operations including manufacturer data, equipment failure, and industry studies. Where applicable, the knowledge gained benefits all WEST clients.
1. JIP Project for BOP Reliability
WEST was selected to manage a Joint Industry Project (JIP) to investigate the reliability of BOP equipment on newer generation rigs in the Gulf of Mexico. The goals were to identify common downtime areas, identify recommendations that maintain or improve reliability across the fleet, extend BOP testing frequency while maintaining or improving safety, and provide recommendations to the current CFR code on BOP testing and current API standards and recommended practices.
2. Failure database for an Operator
WEST has developed, in conjunction with a major operator, a program to identify and track rig equipment failures and their resolution. This information has been used by the operator on both the rigs they operate, as well as their OBO (Operated by Other) rigs, as a predictive tool in reliability assessments, rig surveys, and commissioning/startup assistance. There are currently 150 anomalies in this database.
3. Rig MUX Control Modification Review
As a function of the initial startup of two new-build rigs, WEST was contracted to assist in ensuring reliable operation of drill-through equipment. A significant part of this effort included modifications to the latest generation MUX control system, which featured the use of a 5,000 psi hydraulic system. Many items, from system component investigations to circuit modifications, were completed to achieve the initial operating success of these rigs.
4. Ram Locking System Controls and Ram Low Temperature Testing
On the first installations of a ram locking system, WEST was contracted to work with the manufacturer on additional enhancements to the locking system control circuitry after the initial operation on the rig. Additionally, WEST assisted in the development and review of low temperature testing for the rams and this locking system, simulating, as closely as possible, actual operating conditions of a deepwater environment.
5. Dead Man Circuit Addition
As a result of commissioning work on a new-build rig, it was determined that the initial design did not include a dead-man circuit. WEST participated with the manufacturers in the design and implementation of this additional control feature on this rig.
6. Qualification of Ram Locking System
A new generation of ram locking system was to be installed in rams scheduled for 2001/2002 delivery by a major manufacturer. This design takes advantage of the operating history of its predecessors to deliver enhancements in reliability for deepwater applications. WEST worked with the operator to ensure that this new design provided the advertised benefits.
7. Ram Locking System Study
Repeated difficulties in attaining successful wellbore pressure tests on a set of installed rams instigated a study of a locking system. An operator and contractor jointly funded the study, which improved the understanding of the system, resulting in improved operating reliability.
8. Multiplex Study
Prior to purchasing equipment for their upgrades, the drilling contractor contracted WEST to analyse the multiplex systems currently offered by the major manufacturers and identify technical strengths and weakness of each.
9. Expert Witness & Research for Legal Hearing
WEST was selected to act as a major operator's expert witness for DTE related problems on newbuild jackup.
10. BOP Controls Operating and Maintenance Manual
As a result of not receiving the Operating and Maintenance Manual from a manufacturer in the time frame required by their schedule, the contractor hired WEST to work with the manufacturer to provide the manuals for the retrofitted rig. According to Norwegian regulations, this documentation must be on the rig prior to commencing drilling in order to receive a permit.
11. Hose Failure Analyses
Abnormal pilot line failures on a year-old hose bundle on the rig caused the drilling contractor to contract WEST to identify the root cause. Working with the manufacturers, WEST identified manufacturing and storage factors that resulted in the short service life of this hydraulic hose bundle.
12. Ram Study
Difficulties in achieving successful ram wellbore tests resulted in a major operator's Brazil operations selecting WEST to work with the ram manufacturer, to achieve acceptable operation. This exercise included a cursory design review and analysis of performance data from the rig to recommend a course of action.
13. Variable Bore Ram Sealing
After three weeks of sporadic failures to wellbore pressure test on the rig's variable bore rams, WEST was requested to assist the contractor in consistently testing this equipment successfully. WEST's analysis of the data indicated the locking system as the likely culprit. Subsequent testing and installation of a new design components confirmed this conclusion.
14. High Pressure / High Temperature Study
A Norwegian consortium of operators commissioned a multipart study on increasing the operability of drilling in HPHT (High Pressure / High Temperature) reservoirs. WEST was awarded the portion of the study covering Drill Through Equipment (DTE). Working with all the major DTE manufacturers, WEST collated data and other information to enable reliable operation of DTE in this environment.
15. West Africa Study
A consortium of operators in West Africa commissioned a study on the effects of external pressures higher than internal pressure on subsea equipment, as well as other known deep water problems. The study involved a group of five rigs, and included working with the manufacturers of the subsea equipment. In addition to the differential pressure effects, WEST also studied methods of calculating usable accumulator volume, operational interfaces that vary with depth, horizontal well completions and well testing.
16. Connector Study
The effort to enhance their PM (Preventative Maintenance) system led the operator to request data and analysis from WEST's database of survey findings. Their goal was to standardize and optimise PM tasks and frequencies on this equipment to achieve maximum reliability and minimum cost.
17. Shear Ram Anomaly Study
Both shear ram cavities on one rig randomly failed to successfully wellbore pressure test. The contractor requested WEST to work with the manufacturer's personnel to identify the cause and resolution.
18. Shear Ram Study
Advances in the metallurgy of drill pipe prompted a major operator to contract WEST to investigate the capabilities of shear rams. This study identified the effect that changes in a pipe's physical properties have on a shear ram's ability to cut and seal these new tubulars.
19. MMS Study on Applicability of API Recommended Practices in US Regulations
WEST was selected to compare and contrast MMS regulations and specific API RPs (Recommended Practices) to evaluate suitability for inclusion into MMS regulations. A significant factor in the award of this study to WEST was the combination of knowledge of regulatory requirements and industry standards, coupled with extensive surveying experience and the resultant database of findings therefrom.