Tech

Technology

CRC Evans completes welding services offshore Nigeria

The work involved training a local Nigerian crew. (Image source: CRC Evans)

Welding, technology and coating services provider, CRC Evans, has completed wide-ranging welding services for First E&P’s Alpha Project offshore Nigeria

Contracted by Westfield Energy Resources for CRC's welding services to its pipelay barge, the S-lay vessel DLB Kenenna, the work involved the completion of more than 3,800 welds on two 20.8km and one 5.5 km pipelines in association with the company's regional partner, Ripen Marine Contractors.

The full work scope of the multiple-million contract also included project management and engineering, associated services and requirements.

An integral element of completing the work was training a local Nigerian crew at the company’s onshore facility in Nigeria, prior to vessel deployment. The company set up a training facility, which saw 20 welders and two bevel operators trained over the course of the month, to use welding equipment and adhere to company and project safety standards.

“With support from Ripen, we established the training facility and had it up and running in less than a week,” said Tom Feteris, offshore director, Zeewolde at CRC Evans. “This demonstrates our commitment and capability to quickly and efficiently set up a training facility in whichever country we work, to support the skills development of the local workforce.

“Aside from the successful completion of the work scope, this part of the story is just as important. We are absolutely committed to meeting local requirements and helping countries grow by expanding the knowledge base of local talent.

“We are proud of our contribution to this project and the opportunities we had to support and enhance the skills of the local workforce.”

Last year, CRC Evans underwent major consolidation to launch world-class welding services.

Doubling production capacity

The work was carried out with the help of CRC's flagship Dual Torch P-625 external welding equipment. Specifically designed for large, demanding projects or where high production is required, the dual-torch external welding system can double the production capacity compared with a single torch system. An onboard computer ensures precise control of welding parameters enabling storage of a real-time log of essential weld data for future processing.

Project Alpha is a greenfield development that includes the Anyala and Madu fields which lie 45km off the Niger Delta, with production being tied back to a floating production, storage and offloading facility (FPSO). The platforms for the Anyala and Madu deposits were designed by Aquaterra Energy with its modular, cost-effective Sea Swift system.

TAQA launches next-generation inflow control technology

The M4 Inflow Control System will be showcased at ADIPEC 2024. (Image source: TAQA)

TAQA, an international company offering leading well solutions for the energy industry, has revealed the next-generation inflow control system

The M4 Inflow Control System dictates the flow of undesired fluid (such as water and gas) and avoids any binary (open/close) effect that can result in instability or even stop production. Enabling operators to optimise their reservoir performance while sustainability managing fluid production, the new system excels in controlling water in ultra-light and light applications and enhances gas production control, providing stability and flexibility in diverse reservoir conditions.

Supercharging reservoir performance

“With the largest portfolio of inflow control systems more than 20 years of inflow control devices expertise, the M4 Inflow Control System represents the pinnacle of our innovation so far,” remarked Mojtaba Moradi, subsurface engineering manager of TAQA. “This new generation offers water control by gradually reducing inflow as water production increases, avoiding premature well shut in.
“Its main benefit is precision control based on reservoir production. The device allows operators to maximise output without risking shutting wells in, so they can manage production continuously and efficiently, which translates into obvious financial benefits.”

According to TAQA, the M4 Inflow Control System technology incorporates an advanced pilot control system that is super sensitive to density, making it suitable for a wide range of oil types, including ultra-light, light, medium, and heavy oils. It also features advanced multi-phase control, allowing the device to perform independently of its orientation in the wellbore.

TAQA also offers a ‘plug and play’ integration with its full portfolio of inflow systems and has been built to optimise performance in all types of wells in all reservoir types. Additional operational features such as last-minute capacity change, and the ability to circulate to the bottom have also been incorporated into the design.

Although not limited to any oil viscosity, so far, the system has demonstrated excellent performance with oil viscosities as low as 0.5cP tested together with water to define the operating and control points at various water cuts. A full qualification matrix of debris, erosion and cycle testing has also been completed.