WIN WIN: Wind Powered Oil Recovery Concept Progresses
The DNV GL-led joint industry project, WIN WIN (WINd powered Water INjection), has completed its first phase and determined that wind power could be used to power offshore water injection. The project is currently moving into its second phase, which includes refining and testing the electrical systems, and investigating possibilities for broader applications. The project consists of four partners: DNV GL, ExxonMobil and ENI Norge – all part of the first phase – and the Norwegian Research Council – a new participant for this second phase.
Materion to Launch Toughmet Solutions at OTC
At this year’s Offshore Technology Conference (OTC), Materion Corporation, an advanced materials solutions provider, will introduce two ToughMet products engineered to improve the reach, reliability and accuracy of oil and gas equipment components. ToughMet 3 TS 130, a new temper of Materion’s high strength, spinodally hardened copper-nickel-tin alloy, offers 10 percent greater ductility and yield strength of 140 ksi. This new temper can handle more strain in directional drilling tools, without galling or corrosion. ToughMet 3 Large…
Rotork Acquires Bifold Group
Actuator manufacturer and flow control company Rotork announced it has acquired the Bifold Group Ltd. (Bifold), a designer and manufacturer of hydraulic and pneumatic stainless-steel directional control valves and accessories for hazardous, corrosive and subsea environments. Bifold provides electronic control and positioning systems and expertise for valves and pumps used in hazardous upstream and downstream oil and gas applications, with special expertise in wellhead control systems.
Oil, Wind Join Forces in DNV GL-led WIN WIN JIP
The concept of using wind power for offshore oil and gas applications is one step closer to realisation. WIN WIN, a DNV GL-led joint industry project (JIP), is running with the following seven participants: ExxonMobil, ENI Norge, Nexen Petroleum UK Ltd, Statoil, VNG, PG Flow Solutions, and ORE Catapult. Initial DNV GL studies showed that a standalone wind-powered water-injection system could become cost competitive for various types of applications, particularly for water injection far from the production platform and when costly retrofitting is not an option. DNV GL launched the WIN WIN JIP to help develop the concept further.
Two Named to NSRI Board
Melfort Campbell and Martin Jones have been appointed to strengthen the board of the National Subsea Research Initiative (NSRI). With impressive pedigrees in innovation and technology in the subsea industry, these new board members will help NSRI deliver its aim of bringing new technology to market that will reduce costs and deliver efficiencies and help the UK subsea sector maintain its world-leading position. NSRI is the focal point for research and development in the UK’s subsea sector, which is worth $13.9billion to the economy.
Rolls-Royce to Showcase O&G Innovations at OTC
Rolls-Royce will showcase its latest offshore power and propulsion solutions and MTU engine technologies designed for onshore oil and gas applications at the upcoming 2015 Offshore Technology Conference (OTC), May 4-7. The exhibit will feature the MTU Frac Pack and the MTU S83 Frac Bi-Fuel Kit in addition to a Rolls-Royce offshore winch simulator. The MTU brand is part of Rolls-Royce Power Systems within the Land & Sea division of Rolls-Royce. The MTU Frac Pack is powered by the MTU Series 4000 T95 Tier 4 final engine, and is available in a 12-cylinder configuration that offers three power ratings: 1…
SignalFire Debuts Remote Shutdown System
In challenging environments, such as oil fields, equipment often must be shut down remotely. For instance, when a tank that collects oil or water from several wells becomes full, wells must be shut down to prevent overflow. Because of the oil-field layout, the decision to shut-in a well (usually conducted near the tanks) is often made far away from the actual wells. For this type of monitoring and control, SignalFire Wireless Telemetry offers the Remote Shutdown System (RSDS), which can shut down assets remotely with the fail-safe logic necessary for wireless operation of critical systems.
Caterpillar Sponsors 2014 High Horsepower Summit
Caterpillar Inc. now underway in New Orleans, Louisiana. The event is North America’s leading conference on the use of natural gas to fuel high horsepower operations. As an industry leader in the design and manufacture of dual-fuel and natural gas engines, Caterpillar plans to highlight its commitment to delivering the highest customer value for energy and power systems operations, as well as rail, marine and mining applications. “We’re proud of where our natural gas heritage has brought us today and excited to lead the next wave of natural gas products and services taking shape in the industry…
ABB Acquires Dutch Oil, Gas Flow Measurement Firm
ABB says it has agreed to acquire Spirit IT of Eindhoven, Netherlands, to add a new line of high-performance liquid flow computers, SCADA and custody transfer solutions to ABB’s measurement business for the oil and gas industry. Spirit IT designs and sells liquid flow measurement and supervisory solutions for use in oil and gas applications. Its liquid flow computers and software deliver greater accuracy and control for well-pad automation, transportation and custody transfer applications. ABB explains that Spirit IT’s employees will join the global Measurement Products business unit in ABB’s Process Automation division.
