Aker BP will be the first user of the new technology Optime Subsea has developed that removes umbilical controlled tubing hanger operations, the company said on May 29. The technology increases safety and reduces operational time, cost, and environmental risk, according to Optime.

Optime
(Source: Optime Subsea)

Optime’s relationship with Aker BP started with its innovative subsea controls and intervention light system (SCILS) on the semisubmersible drilling rig, Deepsea Nordkapp, owned and operated by Odfjell Drilling. This collaboration has now been extended with Aker BP bringing Optime’s remotely operated controls system (ROCS) onboard this same rig.

Controlling the tubing hanger running tool is currently done through a dedicated umbilical controlled from a large topside hydraulic unit. When deploying, the umbilical is clamped to the riser for increased stabilization. The operation is traditionally time-consuming, and the clamping will result in hours of additional higher-risk operations. Using the ROCS will significantly reduce the time spent on this operation. Optime’s ROCS offers the functionality of the same controls to the tubing hanger, without the topside hydraulic unit and without a large, heavy and costly umbilical and controls system.

“Until completing a few runs we will not be able to affirmatively state the total days in savings for subsea well completions, but we are convinced that this system will provide Aker BP and all other operators days, not hours, in savings, for every single well. Although today’s market is hard to predict, we are definitely able to see the future with this system being ready by end of the year—there will be tremendous industry wide cost savings for everyone,” Trond Løkka, Optime’s business development manager, said.