Subsea Systems

Conductors

We use the latest design methodologies to develop the optimum well structure to meet the strength and fatigue requirements of the system’s operating environment. Once in service, our holistic approach helps address any developing integrity concerns efficiently, and cost effectively.

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Key Personnel
Alex Rimmer | Director | London
Alex Rimmer

Director, UK

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Elaine Whiteley
Elaine Whiteley

Senior Engineer

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Discuss a project with us

Get in touch

Subsea Wellheads & Conductors 

 Subsea wells require detailed engineering and analysis to ensure wellhead, conductor, surface casing and connector components that are robust enough to meet the strength and fatigue requirements of the operating environment are selected and placed appropriately in the well design. The well’s internal architecture, environmental conditions, water depth, rig and types of operation are all considered during development of the final design.  

 The use of new generation vessels with large BOPs, longer drilling programmes, and the need to maximise recovery by extending the service life of older wells, present significant design challenges. Fatigue has become an important design consideration that may require changes to conventional casing and conductor joint arrangements, improved fabrication and the use of fatigue enhanced connectors in the conductor and surface casing. 

We have completed over 500 subsea wellhead and conductor design projects in water depths ranging from 50m to over 3,000m.  

 Platform Conductors 

 The conductor of a fixed platform or jack-up well often receives little design attention in comparison to the subsurface parts of the well or the platform support structure. The conductor is subject to bending loads from the wave and current, and fatigue loading from piling, waves and VIV in addition to supporting the weights of internal casings. The effective weights of the internal casings can fluctuate significantly during well operations due to thermal effects. This can have a significant effect on conductor response. 

 Our systems, experience and understanding of jack-up and rig-based operations allow us to provide an unrivalled platform well engineering service. We have extensive experience in platform well engineering dealing with everything from standard wells to complex HPHT developments, splitter wells, deeper water, harsh environments or re-entry and workover of corroded or partially failed wells. 

Well Conductor Life Extension 

 With many older shallow water developments now exceeding their design lives, conductors are receiving added attention to justify life extension of the wells. We help operators of older facilities define inspection requirements, conduct structural fitness for purpose assessments and design methods of repair where needed. Our expertise in considering the whole well as a structural system ensures the most cost-effective mitigations are identified for specific wells.   

Key Personnel
Alex Rimmer | Director | London
Alex Rimmer

Director, UK

View bio
Elaine Whiteley
Elaine Whiteley

Senior Engineer

View bio

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