Hot Tapping / Valve Drilling / Cutting Services
Shahab Akhtar
Maintenance Manager (Wellhead) Offshore at National Iranain Drilling Company
Hot Tap: Controlled Entry into Area with Trapped Pressure
As a faster and more economical approach, hot tapping allows for controlled access to the internal diameter (ID) of pipe, flanges or valves by drilling a hole into the component while internal pressure is present. Wild Well has performed hundreds of hot taps at both surface and subsea sites. With specialty fabricated devices, a safe hot-tapping operation can be carried out on blind flanges, bull plugs, base plates and other unusual equipment. The hot tap equipment is suitable for H2S service with pressure capabilities up to 15,000 psi.
Hot Tap Unit
Maximum Operating Pressure 6,000 to 15,000 psi
Working Pressure 0 to 5,000 psi
Flow Rate1/1" barrel per/min depending on hole size
Maximum Boring Bar Travel12" to 48" travel
Normal Cutter Size1/4" to 1" Temperature350 degrees
Valve Drilling: Regain Full Bore Access Through Inoperable Plug or Valve
Valve drilling involves drilling an opening in a ball plug or gate valve that has become inoperable in a closed or partially closed position. Whereas hot tapping is designed for gaining controlled entry for either pressure verification and/or fluid injection, valve drilling is intended to regain a larger or full bore to allow coil tubing or wireline applications to be deployed. Most valve drilling projects are focused on the vertical wellhead or completion tree components aligned with the wellbore, but the valve drilling system can also work in a horizontal position for side-entry applications on valves and other wellhead components.
Gate Valve Drilling Units
Pressure Rating 0 to 15,000 psi
working pressure Temperature Rating 0 degrees F to 325 degrees F
Travel 120" Shaft Diameter1,500" (The drive shaft length & lubricator section can be extended in 4.0" increments)
Shaft Packing Sets Rated at 20,000 psi from 0 degrees F to 250 degrees F (Suitable for H2S, CO2 and other harsh service environments)
Drive Mechanism Hydraulic motor shaft rotation & manual drive for shaft feed Capabilities12 hp 2 cylinder VDT Drive Unit
Abrasive Jet Cutting
Abrasive Jet Cutting is a well intervention tool normally used during a blowout where damaged surface equipment must be removed while the well is uncontrolled. The system uses high pressure water and sand as a cutting medium.
Mechanical Cutting
Hydraulically supplied shears are used for cutting metal debris offshore above or below the water line. Clamshell cutters are used for precision cutting of tubing or casing to support well control projects. Rail mills are also provided to make vertical cuts as well. Typical field applications include re-heading, conductor cuts, and re-facing damaged flanges. Wild Well has a range of mechanical cutting equipment suited for various applications including shears, clamshells, diamond wire saws and Frog cutters.