Today's Light Well Intervention Contractors, the History of Their Systems, and Their Experience in the Market

Someone that I respect in the industry brought up the fact that there is more to subsea intervention than just the size and depth rating of the well intervention package and absolutely that is correct. So, here are my thoughts on that.

There are many facets that make a subsea contractor be thought of as 'at the top of their game'. Experience, re: number of wells operated in, is an obvious factor. Quality of equipment is another. Agility of the said company could be a factor. Ability to forecast and align with the market could be yet another.

So out of the most well known contractors in the subsea well intervention/ well access space, what is their background and how did they get to where they are today?

Keep in mind this is opinion. Though, it is opinion based on nearly 3 decades in the well intervention space and the last 2 of the 3 decades being well versed on the subsea side of the coin, with the last 6 years really focused on learning about LWI, its contractors involved, and the equipment utilized to perform operations.

In this time I have been fortunate to make some really good contacts in which I consider friends, and in turn been introduced to their contacts in some circumstances, that have further allowed me to build my knowledge and grow.

So, let me list out the companies and some history in no particular order:

1. Helix Energy Solutions - Started out primarily as a diving company in 1980 and performed the first riserless well intervention in 1987 for BP (as per their history on their webpage). For many years WOM and Helix worked together developing their well control packages and though the most recent revision of their Intervention Riser System is a Helix input system, the other systems have had input from WOM. Helix are part of a subsea services alliance which includes Schlumberger and OneSubsea who also increase their offerings. Helix have the only semi's (Q4000, Q5000, Q7000) utilized specifically for LWI workscopes in this group which makes them special in that they can also perform some of the heavier workscopes. The other LWIV's they operate include the Seawell, the Well Enhancer, the Siem Helix 1, and the Siem Helix 2. Helix operates globally, though some of their assets are North Sea, GoM, Brazil based on a semi permanent basis due to long contracts. Helix's job count is extensive (1400+ subsea wells), so good reason they remain one of the most experienced of the group.
2. TechnipFMC (TIOS Group) - FMC has been using their well access systems over the last 20+ years, so since around the year 2000 they have been working diligently. They are currently on their third (Mark III) revision of RLWI stacks with RLWI Stack #4. In 2018 FMC bought into Island Offshore Subsea to form TIOS Group by which they operate the Island Frontier, the Island Wellserver, & the Island Constructor, all monohull LWIV's that operate primarily in the North Sea, though they also have experience in West Africa and globally. TIOS also have access to partner LWIV's if the need arises and also the Island Innovator which is used for Through Tubing Rotary Drilling (TTRD). TechnipFMC/TIOS Group have a large job count (600+ subsea wells) so they too remain one of the most experienced contractors of this bunch.
3. Oceaneering - Oceaneering have been in the riserless game for some time (20+ years) and they intially developed their own SILS (Subsea Intervention Lubricator System) together with Superior Energy Services in the earlier days of RLWI, but in recent years they have acquired Blue Ocean Technologies and started working on both the IRIS and BORIS systems. Oceaneering also operate their own MSV's (and charter some) which include the Ocean Evolution, the Cade Candies, the Ocean Intervention, the Ocean Intervention II, the Ocean Intervention III, the Brandon Bordelon, and the Conor Bordelon. Oceaneering have a long track record in overall workscopes. They hold some operational world record water depths from the Blue Ocean Technology kits. Oceaneering are currently completing LWI workscopes in Angola for BP together with Maersk Supply Service.
4. Baker Hughes - As everyone is probably aware the GE 'arm' of Baker Hughes has been in the well access business for many years, more notably Vetco Gray. They have definitely been active since the early 2000's. The systems utilized today for intervention work are a culmination of acquisitions from the Cross Group and Wild Well Control. Both of these companies at one point in the recent past were known for their systems and the experience they provided. So, just because these kits were taken over via a recent acquisition, doesn't mean BH aren't experienced in this field, as they certainly are. They are also making a very serious push globally utilizing vessels of opportunity together with their integrated service offering.
5. Worldwide Oilfield Machine (WOM) - WOM have been operating in the subsea intervention space since there was a space to operate in. I am joking, though they have been thoroughly involved since the early 2000's. In 2004 they introduced the world's first 7 3/8" 10k Subsea Intervention System for deepwater applications. In 2014 they introduced their Riserless Light Well Intervention System (RLWIS). Not only have WOM marketed themselves as a single source provider, but they have also worked with some of the other contractors pretty heavily and to this day they have working riser packages operational for Helix and Expro Group. I am not sure what their well count is, but considering they support or have supported at one time or another other major contractors, they definitely have the experience.
6. Expro Group - Expro Group, for me personally, have been known for their landing strings, subsea test trees, and their well access systems for ages. I can remember working on many deepwater projects in the GoM, India, Angola, etc where Expro had their packages onboard. Back in 2004 through to 2012 they developed their AX-S intervention system. Unfortunately it didn't make it commercially and was shelved before it was really put to use. So, fast forward to today's market, they utilize both an IRS with their own control systems and they have developed their own Riserless Well Intervention System (RWIS). Expro are also very serious about market penetration and have an alliance with COOEC Offshore for utilization of their HYSY287 DP3 construction vessel. Expro are readying equipment for a long term contract in Australia for Chevron with their RWIS kit.
7. Sapura Energy Well Services - Sapura has been Australia's go to intervention vessel provider now for a number of years. They have been operating since 1993. Sapura have been utilizing their RLWI Subsea Intervention Device (SID) together with their Intervention Compensation System (ICS) which were also upgraded to industry standards with the help of Baker Hughes in the not too distant past. They operate the Sapura Constructor which has been very active in the Asia Pacific - Australia region.
8. AKOFS Offshore - Aker Solutions has been active in the well access business for many years via their XT product line. AKOFS is their vessel solutions provider for well intervention, subsea support, construction, etc. Their AKOFS Seafarer was brought to market in 2013 as the Skandi Aker. It is the only monohull vessel (so far) which was marketed as a riser based intervention monohull vessel. Last year AKOFS gained a 5 year contract for Equinor on the NCS. AKOFS utilize their own riser based package. They also operate the Skandi Santos and Aker Wayfarer SESV's on contracts in Brazil.
9. C-Innovation (Edison Chouest Offshore) - C-Innovation is ECO's subsea service provider. ECO has had a stake in Island Offshore for many years now and they crew and operate some of the worlds premier vessels in the Island Intervention, the Island Performer, the Island Venture, and the Island Enforcer. They also operate the M/V Dove, the M/V Kirt Chouest, the M/V Holiday, the M/V C-Installer, the Dino Chouest, the Laney Chouest, & the Brad Dartez. C-Innovation have recently acquired the controlling interest in Caltex Oil Tools. C-Innovations Subsea business is led by David Sheetz which has been an authority in the subsea intervention business for a number of years. They are currently operating under a 5 year contract for BP performing LWI services in the GoM and have also worked in Australia with the Island Performer. C-I are working on building a lengthy track record and have performed some highly technical operations thusfar in the GoM.
10. FTAI Ocean - A new vessel provider on the scene which is led by Kevin Bosley who has many years of experience in the subsea well intervention business in Australia and abroad from TS Marine to Fugro to TechnipFMC. The MV Pride is FTAI's answer to state of the art well intervention able to provide riser based operations and riserless abilities from 80m to 1500m. The Smart Tower System (STS) provided by OSBIT is one of a kind. A vertical racking system for CWOR significantly increases safety by reducing the need for personnel to be on the intervention deck. FTAI is currently preparing the vessel for well intervention operations together with Expro though the Pride has been performing operations around Southeast Asia, Middle East, & West Africa for a number of years without the tower installed. Look for FTAI to build a healthy track record in the coming years.
11. Trendsetter Engineering - Trendsetter is not last in any sense of the word. They are one of the smaller niche engineering companies who provide a wide range of services with their riser based package being a smaller portion of their offering. They have always been focused on the higher pressure end of the spectrum with their packages so expect to see HPHT versions which are also convertible to riserless in the not too distant future. They have been providing their technology since 1996, though I am not sure when they started operating with their well control packages in the LWI market. They have worked in the GoM market and also have secured contracts in Brazil.

As the LWI segment is a niche segment and is fairly small in the grand scheme of things, many of the well experienced people have moved around to the different contractors as others were acquired or have been dissolved. So, just because a company is young in their well count, by no means should they be discounted in their overall experience levels.

I am fortunate that I have been able to connect and become friends with many of the major movers and shakers in this sector and I look forward to a bright future for all of these companies. Competition is healthy afterall and there is room for all to work. There is a lot of work to be done globally between intervention, plug and abandonment, and decommisioning.

I hope the read was enjoyable and informative.