Dry emulsifiers improve performance, efficiency

Georgia-Pacific Chemicals introduced the new XPLOR line of dry emulsifiers that are designed to enhance performance and provide operational benefits in terms of efficiency and total use costs, a product announcement said. The dry emulsifiers can be used in diesel-, mineral oil- or synthetic-based drilling fluids. They are compatible with a variety of solvents, reducing the need to purchase multiple types of emulsifiers. Typical liquid emulsifiers may contain about 50% base oil, but XPLOR dry emulsifiers have a higher activity level. As a result, less emulsifier is required to treat a drilling fluid than with a liquid emulsifier. XPLOR dry emulsifiers have minimal resistance to flow even at temperatures below freezing, so they are easier to work with in cold climates than conventional liquid emulsifiers that need to be hot-boxed, steamed or jacketed to pour in frigid conditions. As a dry product, the product is easier to control packaged in barrels. gp-chemicals.com

Wireless top drive cement head increases efficiency, safety

Blackhawk Specialty Tools has developed the Hawkeye, a wireless top drive cement head that is designed to enhance speed, efficiency and safety in cementing operations, according to a press release. The Hawkeye operates on a fully wireless automation system, eliminating the need for a hydraulic umbilical line and operating console. Its Quik-Lock connections allow for fast plug, dart and ball reloads, lowering the amount of rig floor downtime. With an interchangeable cage design, the cement head also prevents the deformation of dart fins, alleviating fluid bypass and displacement volume discrepancies. The Hawkeye is adaptable for different cementing applications and has a maximum hook load of 2.25 MMlb, a maximum pump rate of 35 bbl/min through the top drive and a maximum operating distance of 198 m (650 ft). A radio signal filtering also blocks Wi-Fi and Bluetooth interference for increased reliability. A manual backup on all remote-operated features also is available, ensuring a risk-free operation. The Hawkeye is currently in use in both land and offshore operations. blackhawkst.com

Frack-pack solution creates, preserves high-conductivity fractures

Baker Hughes released the TORRENT frack-pack solution, which helps operators improve ultimate recovery by creating and maintaining large, high-conductivity fractures to maximize reservoir contact and increase drainage, according to a company press release. Each TORRENT solution is executed according to the potential of the respective reservoir and makes use of Baker Hughes’ technology portfolio in sand control and pressure pumping for reliable and effective delivery of an optimal treatment program for the reservoir regardless of required proppant volumes or pump rates, the release said. Modeling the ideal stimulation program and engineering the fluid design to match reservoir characteristics is the initial part of the process. The stimulation program is then executed using the SC-XP frack-pack platform and an advanced stimulation vessel. SpectraStar fracturing fluid, which features organoborate crosslinker and breaker technology, is designed to offer better shear recovery at extreme pump rates and is used for effective proppant transport. Remote monitoring and analysis help deliver the treatment according to plan and provide insight for making on-the-fly adjustments to obtain an optimized stimulation program. Fines stabilization technology and Sorb Ultra solid inhibitors provide proactive flow assurance to maintain planned optimal production rates while reducing or even eliminating interventions. bakerhughes.com

Spill containment system reduces costs, risks of liner maintenance

Dura-Base Defender Spill Containments System from Newpark Mats & Integrated Services is an engineered, linerless system that enables operators to cut the costs of liner maintenance and disposal while complying with environmental regulations, a company press release said. The Defender Spill Containment System incorporates Newpark’s Dura-Base advanced-composite mats into a complete system with seals, wall berms, drivable berms and a specialized cellar protection system. The yellow and black berms offer perimeter spill containment and direct vehicular traffic through specific areas to improve site safety. The redundant seals around the top and lip of each mat offer two layers of protection, and a third layer protects the area where the mats meet the cellar protection system. This offers reinforced leak security around the wellhead, where spills are most likely to occur. The system is designed to allow operators to carry out projects in increasingly sensitive areas such as the Marcellus Shale. newpark.com

Embedded controller meets rugged demands of fanless applications

Arbor Solution introduced the latest addition to its ARES series of extended-temperature box PCs, the ARES-5300 Programmable Embedded Controller. The fanless, cableless, modularized-design unit features a power-efficient Intel Celeron J1900 quad-core system-on-chip processor, vibration and shock protection, and an operating temperature range from -30 C to about 60 C (-22 F to about 140 F) that allows it to be used in both hot desert settings and in cold arctic areas, according to a product announcement. The direct current power input ranges from 9 v to 36 v. The system is DIN rail-mountable with quick release capability and the ability to rotate 90 degrees. It is constructed of lightweight aluminum alloy. The ARES-5300 Box PC is suitable for oil and gas applications for tasks such as oil rig control and systems monitoring. Several units can be mounted side by side on a rail, with each device controlling a specific function or piece of machinery on the rig, for example. Twenty to 40 units can be installed on a single rig. us.arborsolution.com

Units provide accurate BOP, pipeline, wellhead testing

Jetstream of Houston LLP introduced the HydroForce series hydrostatic testing units—the HydroForce 3000, HydroForce 3600 and HydroForce 4200—for accurate BOP, pipeline and wellhead testing. Engineered for accuracy under challenging conditions, HydroForce units are mounted on a heavy-duty skid or trailer unit with integrated fluid containment and feature the Jetstream Hydrostatic Test Valve (HTV), high-capacity water tanks, 189-l (50-gal) fuel tanks, a choice of 80-hp to 325-hp John Deere or Cummins Tier 3 or Tier 4 diesel engines, and pressures from 6,000 psi to 20,000 psi, with flows from 23 l/min to 227 l/min (6 gal/min to 60 gal/min). The Jetstream HTV delivers control under varying test pressures. Pressures can be varied up to 20,000 psi with the precise hand-adjustable pressure-setting fill lever. An exclusive heavy-duty internal check valve automatically holds downstream pressure when the lever is released, which eliminates the need for an external foot gun. On other hydrostatic testing units, when maintenance is required the entire system must be disassembled and a new valve inserted, which causes considerable downtime. With the Jetstream 20,000-psi cartridge-style check valve, the operator can be up and running in a fraction of that time. HydroForce units also are equipped with the versatile Jetstream UNx System that allows contractors to perform work at a variety of operating pressures to meet the needs of the oil and gas market. Jetstream UNx pumps have enabled contractors to perform pump maintenance in the field quickly and efficiently without compromising durability. waterblast.com

Membrane deaeration technology requires less space, weight than vacuum towers

The compact Membrane Deaeration (MDA) product line from Water Standard can be used in waterflooding, IOR and EOR applications. The company partnered with Membrana as an original equipment manufacturer for Liqui-Cel membrane contactors and piloted the technology in continuous seawater trials. This resulted in a system that requires 50% less space and weight than vacuum towers while providing more efficient oxygen removal, according to a product announcement. The MDA pilot unit produced about 5,000 bbl/d of deaerated seawater and operated without chemical oxygen scavenging, scaling or fouling of the membranes, CTO Lisa Henthorne said. The pilot tested parameters such as seawater flow rate, level of prefiltration and nitrogen sweep rate. The MDA unit consistently achieved fewer than 10 parts per billion (ppb) of dissolved oxygen in the treated water without chemical addition. Vacuum towers normally achieve 50 ppb to 100 ppb and require additional oxygen scavenging chemicals, Henthorne said. waterstandard.com