Raising deepwater

expectations

VetcoGray, a GE Oil & Gas business, recently launched its MS-800 FullBore subsea wellhead system for deepwater applications.

With the capacity to withstand 8 million pounds of load on the wellhead, the MS-800 is designed to help drillers reach deepwater targets in such regions as the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and offshore Brazil. The new system increases the casing load capacity to 2 million pounds for the first position casing hanger and the 16” casing hanger. Pressure capacity for the 16” hanger also increases from 6,500 to 10,000 psi. The system incorporates an improved load-ring configuration on all three casing hangers to improve actuation.

“We believe these improvements will set new standards for subsea oil and gas fields at depths of 30,000 feet or more,” said Gary Shaw, Technology Leader for VetcoGray.
FullBore enables the operator to run one extra casing string under BOP control with a 21” drilling riser. The system also allows more flexibility by using larger drill bits, testing packoffs to higher pressures and having the option to run 18” and 16” casing strings below the mudline. Furthermore, the system allows potentially larger completion options, by reaching total depth with a larger production string. Load-bearing jewelry is located on the casing hanger and is actuated by a tag shoulder. Once the casing hanger is set, the running tool will actuate the metal-to-metal seal and test in a single trip.

The MS-800 was developed and tested in 2007 at VetcoGray facilities in Houston, Texas. The 15 KSI version will be available for commercial applications in Q2 2008, with the 20 KSI version (20,000 psi, 350°F) to follow later this year.