RotaBolt tension control fasteners have been chosen for new Open Water Lubricator Valves (OWLV), being used on offshore drilling rigs as a safety testing device in open water riser systems. The new valves have been manufactured by leading international oilfield service company Expro, and are being used in a deep water oil and gas field application, off Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
The OWLV is a relatively recent development and is used as an integral part of an open water riser system during the installation and work-over of subsea Xmas Trees. It typically sits 50-200 metres below the rig floor and allows the introduction and external pressure testing of the down-hole tooling string, ensuring that all the elements function correctly and can withstand well-bore pressure prior to installation.
"This is the first time we have used RotaBolt technology," commented design engineer Chris Cusack from Expro. "We have been very pleased with it and found that the installation and tooling times were considerably reduced. The tension control assurance delivered by RotaBolt gave us an added comfort factor - we knew we could be confident about the pre-load on the joints. We had tried traditional torque techniques before, but found them unpredictable. The client also liked the fact that in-service maintenance and bolt pre-load checking was made easy."
The RotaBolt 2 system was selected because it provides an even greater range of tension control on installation, tightening and in-service checking. It offers two tension settings in a single sensor and features a dual load indicator cap - the outer cap for high tension setting and inner cap for low tension - giving the choice of an operational tension range for overload or maintenance control.
The OWLV also allows testing of the riser string & surface well control equipment above it, and provides an additional safety barrier between the sub-sea wellhead and the drilling rig. Each OWLV is approximately 132" (3353mm) long, has an external diameter of 24.20" (950mm) and a through bore of up to 7.375" (187mm). Ten RotaBolt 2 fasteners are fitted to the flanges at each end of the OWLV.
-Ends-
Note to Editors:
James Walker RotaBolt is a member of the James Walker Group. This global manufacturing group, with an annual turnover in excess of £125-million (€180-million), operates through two strategic business units: Sealing Products & Services, and Rail Systems & Products. It has 50 production, engineering, distribution and customer support sites worldwide and sells in over 100 countries.
Expro's business is well flow management. Expro is a market leader in providing services and products that measure, improve, control and process flow from high-value oil and gas wells. Today's Expro combines the strengths of its extensive worldwide operations under one new Expro brand, in the five marketing areas of: Well Testing & Commissioning, Production Systems, Wireline Intervention, Connectors & Measurements and Drilling Choke Systems. Expro's industry knowledge and commitment to deliver, combined with its innovative technology, empowers the company to offer exemplary solutions for its customers. With its head office in the UK, Expro employs more than 4,000 highly-trained staff in 50 countries, delivering excellence in operations for its clients around the world.
Technical enquiries:
Rod Corbett
James Walker RotaBolt
Tel: +44 (0)1384 214442
Website: www.rotabolt.co.uk
Press & advertising enquiries:
Jeremy Watson
King's-Way Communications
Tel: +44(0)7970 778595
© Press Release 2007
