Drillmec Conference: AHEAD & HoD
TMG Worldwide was proud to host a turnkey, privately organized conference for Drillmec S.p.A. in central Moscow, on the 28th October, “The Drillmec Russian Technology Conference”.
The Drillmec Russian Technology Conference, held at the Kempinski Baltschug, is one of Moscow´s most famous and prestigious 5 Star venues and was the perfect setting for the fantastic delegation of attendees from Russia´s leading operators and key drilling contractors, as well as international delegates visiting the event from Belarus, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan.
Over 60 high level delegates attend from companies including Rosneft, Lukoil, Salym Petroleum, Gazflot, Zarubezhneft, Kazmunaigaz, Socar, Nobel Oil, Targin, Eriell, SSC, RN-Burenie, CAToil, EDC and Integra, amongst many others.
To meet and greet the event attendees, Drillmec S.P.A. were represented by senior executives, headed by Stefano Angeli, Vice President, and also technical specialists from their headquarters in Podenzano, Italy, as well as key personnel from Drillmec Russia, accompanied by their associated companies, Seismotekhnika, Belorusneft and Piper International.
The challenge for TMG Worldwide, was to assemble drilling specialists from the region´s leading oilfield operators and drilling contractors to meet with Drillmec and their affiliated companies, to discuss their complete range of drilling solutions.
The event was designed to discuss their latest new drilling concepts including, AHEAD (Advanced Hydraulic Electrical Automated Driller) and HoD (Heart of Drilling), and also their recent offshore successes, specifically in the Caspian Sea. Finally discussions focused on their regional after sales service, a fast developing and important service to ensure the continued maintenance and repair of the region´s Drillmec drilling fleet.
So with “drilling” the focus of the conference agenda, and with the region´s leading drilling executives in attendance, a great day was to be expected with high quality in-depth discussions playing a key role during the event.
The event started with the usual reception welcome and coffees, before Stefano Angeli, Vice President of Drillmec, took to the stage to thank delegates for their attendance and their continued interest in Drillmec’s product range.
“It’s the third time that we have arranged such a conference in Russia and we do appreciate the increased interest in our Company by our Russian customers.” Stefano stated.
After this short introduction Diego Ferrandes, Sales Area Manager of Drillmec S.P.A., started proceedings, presenting an overview of Drillmec´s product portfolio and it´s impressive manufacturing facilities in Italy, with Luca Tommasi, Managing Director, Seismotekhnika, detailing their facilities and manufacturing standards in Belarus.
“Drillmec is an international leader in the design and manufacture of drilling rigs, workover rigs and equipment for both the onshore and offshore sector.” Diego stated, “We have a long history in Russia and the Caspian region, with over 70 rigs successfully operating across the Russian and CIS countries.”
“So, for our customers, one of the key advantages of owning a Drillmec rig is our regional and worldwide experience, our regional manufacturing facilities and our in-region service centres who are on hand 24/7 for our clients. Our customers are also safe in the knowledge that they are buying high end, quality equipment, specified with both API and GOST certification.”
The traditional focus of Drillmec’s operations have been onshore and the last 5 years have seen great onshore success, with over 42x land rigs sold into Iraq, 4x automated slant rigs sold into Australia, 3x 1500hp land rigs in Mexico and 2x 3000hp land rigs sold in Bolivia.
Onshore, Drillmec’s history is well documented, but it’s been the rise of Drillmec in the offshore sector which has been a key and very successful new strategy in recent years, with 3 complete offshore packages sold into Russia and Mexico, and 2x 3000hp Modular Rigs recently supplied in Kazakhstan to sit on artificial islands.
“Drillmec rigs are used globally by the leading oil majors worldwide, but it´s not only standard and automated rig packages that we sell.” continued Diego, “We are also a full provider of turnkey drilling equipment such as mud systems and top drives.” he added, displaying an impressive list of products and clientele worldwide.
So what are Drillmec’s offerings? Firstly, they include a full range of land rigs, from mobile rigs up to heavy duty 3000hp rigs. They include complete offshore rig packages, as well as offering electric and hydraulic top drives, drawworks, triplex mud pumps and complete mud systems, pipe handling equipment as well as rig control and control rooms systems. They also offer complete 24 hour regional support from their services centres, found in both Russia and the Caspian.
With the introductions over, the floor was passed over to Angelo Calderoni, VP of R&D and Francesco Colaianni, R&D Engineer, for the eagerly awaited presentations looking at AHEAD – Automated Hydraulic, Electrical, Automated Driller- and HoD, Heart of Drilling, both new innovations from Drillmec which aim to deliver the highest safety standards and optimum drilling performance.
Starting with AHEAD, Automated Hydraulic Electrical Automated Driller – what is this new drilling concept from Drillmec?
AHEAD is a new generation of fully automated drilling rigs that are a direct result of Drillmec’s many years of field experience with their HH (Hydraulic Host) series rigs. The HH series rigs have been used across the globe in many challenging environments and conditions, and have always delivered high safety and optimum drilling efficiency.
So what are the main AHEAD concepts?
» Firstly, it’s a high technology rig able to “talk directly with the bottom hole”;
» It’s the first onshore fully automated hydraulic rig that works with 27m stand;
» It’s a valid solution for offshore minimum space applications, ensuring a drastic weight and footprint reduction
» It delivers the highest levels of safety, with Drillmec’s aim to have: NO HANDS ON THE DRILL FLOOR.
» Guarantees optimum drilling and performance efficiency
» Employ´s only the best environmental practices
» Designed for fast moving operations, with safe and fast rig up/down operations
» Resulting in cost savings on every project
AHEAD 375 is a technically advanced rig, designed for fast rig up and down operations, with all components assembled on a semitrailer. The telescopic mast with dual hydraulic piston in tandem which can be divided in two parts and is assembled on two standard semitrailers.
The fast rig up and down times are thanks to the “hydraulic slingshot” style of substructure, raised by two hydraulic cylinders. The substructure itself is highly rigid and stable with easy access to install and operate BOP systems.
The Drillmec, “no hands on the drill floor” concept sees Ahead 375 equipped with a fully automated off-line system for stand making directly over the mouse hole, which greatly reduces the safety risks to rig personnel. The off-line system is completed by a vertical pipe handler and a modular vertical pipe rack designed to contain stands of two API range 3 DP (or three API range 2 DP) with a total capacity of 5000m of 5”1/2 range 3 DP.
Ahead 375 is also fitted with a “rig walking system” that can travel at speeds of approximately 40ft per hour, saving the contract huge amounts of downtime and lost day rates.
“AHEAD is designed to save the contractor time and therefore reduce the costs. It is a highly efficient system that ensures optimum drilling with vastly reduced non-productive time and greatly improved rates of penetration”, explained Angelo Calderoni.
“The system is geared to both onshore and offshore applications and designed to work in extreme environments and temperatures as low as -40 degrees Celsius.” Was a response to a question from Gazflot. “We are currently working on possible AHEAD 500 and AHEAD 750 offshore applications” Angelo Calderoni said.
With the AHEAD presentations over, the conference moved onto the second innovation from Drillmec: the HoD, Heart of Drilling, drilling package, comprising of three main systems:-
» Continuous Circulation
» High Resolution Flow Rate Monitoring System
» Anti-friction device
Angelo Calderoni started this session outlining the benefits of the continuous circulating system, “Managing downhole pressure and drilling through very narrow pore/fracture pressure windows are now possible thanks to the continuous dialogue with the bottom hole and the constant presence of a double barrier in the well during drilling phases: hydraulic and mechanical barrier.
At the same time, the continuous cuttings transportation and the optimization of mud properties ensure a significant improvement in ROP and NPT, with very short connection times.”
“This allows you to reach targets in all challenging operating conditions, particularly in HP/HT wells, extended reach wells (ERD) and in deep-water, with a drastic reduction of time and project costs, bringing the contractor to early field production.”
The HoD package itself is characterized by its easy integration with other rig equipment and is designed to remove personnel from the rig floor, greatly improving rig and personnel safety.
The systems are controlled remotely, directly from the driller control cabin.
The HoD continuous circulation system allows for uninterrupted mud circulation during drill pipe connections, allowing constant bottom pressure for the drilling of wells that are required during a very short drilling window.
The HoD flow rate monitoring system allows the driller to detect minute variations in flow and pressure and incorporates a real time kick and mud losses alarm – a system that can be monitored in real time from anywhere in the world if connected to a simple internet connection.
The HoD anti-friction device avoids the direct contact between drill pipe, tool joints and casing surfaces, ensuring the reduction of drill pipe wear and casing wear and the optimal working condition to the top drive during high angle and horizontal drilling.
“The application of these technologies will allow companies to achieve the highest standards of HSE and without a doubt, enhance drilling performance with impressive costs reduction.” summarized Francesco Colaianni to finish of the HoD presentation.
Yuri Parnivoda, Drillmec General Director for Russia, was next to take the stand, presenting on Drillmec´s recent offshore success, “Drillmec is currently delivering rigs for two offshore projects: LSP-1 and LSP-2 at the Filanovsky oilfield. The drilling package for LSP-1 has already been supplied, whereas the drilling equipment for LSP-2 will be delivered in 2015.”
“We supply a complete range of drilling equipment from shallow to deep water, including drilling and workover packages, as well as conventional and hydraulic rigs. From Drillmec’ s perspective, the offshore sector is a strong area of growth and is developing at an incredibly fast pace. The last 2 years have seen contracts worth well over 250 million dollars for the supply of rigs and workover packages.” explained Yuri.
One thing that was clear from Yuri´s presentation is that not only are Drillmec now well established and experienced in the offshore sector, it´s technological innovations put its’ offshore portfolio amongst the most advanced in the marketplace.
“Our offshore hydraulic rigs are designed and built in modules so that the modules can be installed by the drilling rigs’ operational cranes, with the help of only one set of temporary cranes. The high number of light modules in Drillmec’s Offshore Modules Platform simplifies the installation process, giving the advantage of an even weight distribution on the platform deck.” continued Yuri, “The main benefit of our HH rigs to our clients are clear: it’s technically advanced with a telescopic mast and small footprint. It has low operating and maintenance cost and we employ only the high safety standards.”
With the offshore presentation finished, the final short speech of the day was delivered by Evgeny Ognev, Deputy General Director Piper International, and he focussed on their spare parts, 24h aftersales support and service centres they offer.
Piper International is Drillmec’ s service and support partner and has centres in Nizhnevartovsk, Nefteyugansk and Buzuluk for the rapid delivery of spare parts and consumables for drilling rigs, top drive systems and solid control.
“With a 24 hour aftersales service in dual language, we are ready for any requests from our regional clients.” explained Evgeny, “Our main goals are to keep in constant communications with our customers. We provide round the clock technical support in order to solve all of their operational needs in the minimum possible timeframes, with the best possible efficiency.”
Working in direct partnership with Drillmec, the plans are to continue the expansion of their sales network and to open new service centres in the major producing region´s to ensure optimum response and delivery times.
Evgeny finished off his lively speech and the day’s final presentation ended to a round of rapturous applause.
With the days official presentations finished, representatives from TMG Worldwide had a great opportunity to catch up and speak with event delegate, Mr. Sergey Savinov, Rig Superintendent at Gazprom Podzemremont Orenburg. On the agenda for discussions were the day’s proceedings and a chance to find out exactly how efficiently Drillmec´s HH Rigs have been performing in the field.
“Gazprom Podzemremont Orenburg is currently the only company in the Astrakhan region working with Drillmec hydraulic rigs, HH Series” started Sergey.
“We have been using 3 Drillmec HH Series rigs very successfully for our workover operations” he continued, before adding, “Our Company is very pleased with the rigs performance and results. From a technology viewpoint, the drilling equipment is very innovative”.
Asked what he thought was a key benefit to using these rigs, Sergey responded “Among the main benefits of these rigs, I would like to highlight the Automatic Pipe Handling System for drill pipe, which has resulted in the complete elimination of manual labour on the rig floor. Not only does it ensure efficient pipe handling operations but also guarantees higher HSE standards for our rig personnel”
To finish our short meeting, we asked Sergey what his thoughts were on the day´s conference proceedings, “This show was very useful, it gave us a chance to further understand the drilling technologies available to us and it´s always good to catch up and network with industry friends and colleagues” concluded Sergey.
From an organizers perspective, this was a great show and a job well done! The event was held in magnificent conferencing facilities, the day´s presentations were very informative and technical and the attending delegates comprised of some of the most important executives from the region’s leading operators and drilling contractors. More importantly, it must be noted, that the participation from the delegation during the days Q&A sessions was extremely positive with great interaction between the audience and speakers, challenging and clarifying views and opinions on the technologies and their potential.
For any further information relating to the event or technologies discussed please contact info@rogtecmagazine.com
