Well Integrity Technical Section

Hello community,

Would anyone have suggestions on good suppliers for API6A flange hot-tapping equipment to regain annulus access in challenging conditions? In particular I'm interested in saddles and mag-drills to hot-tap into 2-1/16" 5k flanges to check pressures / potentially conduct limited bleed-offs... this is often specialty equipment made available as part of a service, but in our current operations owning equipment would probably make sense...

Also part of solutions needed (for us) would be gate valve drilling of "damaged-beyond-repair" annulus valves (same, usually 2-1/16" 5k). The target there would be to drill through the gate so that lube-bleed operations could be conducted. Either a small size hole, or even better a 2" hole such that a VR plug could also be installed later to allow valve replacement...

Any suggestions? I initially thought US / Canada might be a good place to look, but Europe also could be...

Thanks.

Hello,

We were recently milling a false bowl in B-annulus to regain pressure monitoring, which we had due to very small clearance. Cameron designed and tested intervention flange with hot tap QES. After a successful test in the yard we proceeded with the offshore application (GOM asset). Let me know if you need any further info.

We also did a hot tapping on one well in Norway about 12 years ago. I do not have any info on that any longer. But I am pretty sure it was also Cameron. 

Regards,
Ksenia

Thanks Ksenia. You are right, big service companies like wellhead equipment manufacturers will typically offer this as part of a service. So would specialized pure service players like Boots & Coots, Wild Well Control, etc... We also had discussions with those.
However we'd like to check who else could provide this specialty equipment, along with some guidance on how to use it... hence the initial request.
Best rgds.

Hi Pierre,
I work for Cudd Well Control.   We routinely perform hot-tapping/gate valve drilling services.  We have an API 6A hot-tapping unit.  Let me know if you would like to discuss.

Regards,

Bhavesh Ranka 

Hi Bhavesh. If you are offering this as part of a service, then it is different...
We're interested in purchasing some equipment to have it in country / offshore as part of a contingency toolbox (and avoid long-term rental). So if you'd be in a position to offer sale of equipment, pls contact me directly.
Cheers