Kongsberg to deliver monitoring systems for three semi-submersible rigs

Seadrill and Odfjell Drilling have selected Kongsberg Maritime to deliver real-time monitoring systems for three semi-submersible rigs.

Kongsberg said on Monday that the monitoring systems would be delivered to the West Hercules and West Phoenix rigs.

According to the company, the systems will enhance operability in the shallow water harsh environment operations.

Kongsberg added that the technology would enable migration of expertise from offshore to onshore facilities by digitalizing assets, personnel workflows and processes, and integrating service operators across disciplines.

The integration of the Kongsberg Riser Management System and Information Management System will provide real-time data acquisition, analysis, monitoring, and an advisory system to assist crews and reduce non-productive time.

“The solution will enable drilling in more severe weather and wave conditions than would otherwise be possible – within the structural limits of the platform and specified load limits for the wellhead systems, and with adequate margins to accommodate environmental peak loads and possible incident loads. The system shall also be suitable for tracking of fatigue damage development of the wellhead system during drilling, based on the measured variable wellhead loads and specified fatigue resistance of the wellhead,” Kongsberg said.

Kongsberg Maritime will also introduce a new electronic Well Specific Operational Guidelines (eWSOG) feature designed to further reduce downtime caused by paper-based guidelines required for dynamically positioned rigs.

Stene Førsund, EVP of global sales and marketing at Kongsberg Maritime, said: “The offshore oil & gas industry is on an upward trend, but operators are looking to squeeze margins to ensure that their harsh environment assets remain economic and profitable.

“Much of the key equipment on West Hercules and West Phoenix, including dynamic positioning and automation systems, and wellbore and drilling operations are provided by Kongsberg Maritime and Kongsberg Digital. By introducing our sophisticated real-time monitoring system and advisory services, the impact of integration across-disciplines and services with respect to managing rig up-time and staying safe during operations is significant.”

Deepsea Stavanger

In a separate statement, Kongsberg revealed that it was also awarded a contract by Odfjell Drilling for a real-time monitoring and advisory solution for the 6th generation semi-submersible Deepsea Stavanger.

The contract is related to an upcoming offshore South Africa campaign awarded to Odfjell by French oil major Total. The contract was awarded in July last year and is for one well plus one optional well.

According to Bassoe Analytics, the drilling contract, with an estimated value of $55 million, will last between November 2018 and the end of January 2019 following the completion of a contract with Aker BP.

The Deepsea Stavanger will be equipped with the Kongsberg Riser Management System and Information Management System in addition to the Motion Reference Units, sonar, underwater cameras, and laser guidance.

“Our solution for Deepsea Stavanger also meets Odfjell’s vision for more integrated and remote operations, where all aspects of a campaign are further digitalized,” added Førsund.