Hydrocarbons occupy a vital role in our life and continue to play an important role for many more years to come. We need to follow all technological innovations to continue our productivity standards to achieve our production targets. Let us extend our vision to achieve this mission.

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Holistic View to Rig Design, Construction Needed to Minimize Software Risk

The growing use of software to run drilling rigs, coupled with the regulatory and operational challenges of the post-Macondo world, means that drilling rig contractors should take a more holistic view to reducing control systems software and hardware integrated-related non-productive time (NPT) and schedule delays.

According to Athens Group's third annual International Benchmarking Survey, this holistic approach include designing, building and testing a drilling rig as an integrated system, rather than testing individual systems before they are put together. Athens Vice President of engineering Bill O'Grady said this would allow for software risks to be addressed earlier in a rig's lifecycle.

The fact that most drilling equipment used today is software-driven presents challenges, and delays in rig delivery and problems integrating software systems mean lost revenue and additional costs for drilling contractors. "Typically, we see a collection of equipment built and tested separately and put together late in the process," said O'Grady. The task of integrating software systems also is spread among employees, rather than one person assigned the job. "Unless these systems integrated, you won't get the benefits of the software programs."

The study focuses on the cost and causes of control systems software and hardware integration-related NPT and safety incidents, and seeks to identify opportunities and barriers to reducing NPT and was as initiatives planned for 2010 and 2011. While progress has been made in reducing software and hardware-related NPT, the study found that the rate of control system and hardware integration NPT is 67 to 86 percent higher than the acceptable rate, depending on the age of the asset.

The top causes of NPT, with the exception of lack of shipyard experience, which is now last on the list, remain the same from last year's survey. The top causes include overextended equipment vendors, lack of software-experienced engineers, and late delivery and testing of software.

Many engineers lack software experience since oil and gas industry traditionally has been a hardware intensive company with mechanical control systems on board drilling rigs. In the past decade or so, the benefits of introducing software programs to control functions on board rigs began to take hold in the industry, but engineers more familiar with hardware are still adapting to using software.

Athens CMO Christine Lowry also attributes the lack of software experience to the 1980s energy industry bust, when many workers were laid off. This bust likely scared off potential recruits who would have entered the industry in the 1990s, many of whom would be familiar with computer software.

While software systems became prevalent on drillships and semisubmersibles in 1998, so few rigs are typically delivered each year, with the exception of last year, that experience installing integrated software systems is still lagging in comparison to other industries. The year 2010 was an exception, and equipment vendors were stretched thin due to 48 high-specification rigs delivered, the largest number of deliveries ever.

Two trends O'Grady sees among rigs is that older platforms with electromechnical systems need to be completely refurbished with a software system, and rigs built in 2000 through 2004 coming in for refurbishments also require software upgrades. Rigs such as the ENSCO 8500 series are the same in theory, but because software versions change, there is not a lot of duplication.

The survey found that adoption of simulation testing for topsides, improved rig crew training, and implementation of alarm management software are the top three opportunities for reducing NPT.

Thirty-seven percent of respondents in the survey indicated they would implement improved rig crew training this year, with training needed specifically targeted at the operation of complex integrated software control systems, and the maintenance and configuration of complex integrated software control systems. Survey respondents also included the adoption of simulation testing for topsides and implementation of alarm management software in their top three NPT reduction initiatives planned for this year.

O'Grady noted that simulation can be a valuable tool to test software, but choosing the right simulation and at the right time in the product lifecycle is critical for success. "The simulator also needs to be independently verified to ensure it is testing appropriately," he noted.

Implementing alarm systems on rigs requires a different approach with high temperature, high pressure wells offshore. More alarms are needed, but alarms must be placed where they matter most. "If too many are in place, people will likely ignore them or turn them off," O'Grady said.

One recommendation made in the report is drilling contractor's use of a concept of operations document, a well-known practice in automation and manufacturing process, for the design of newbuild rigs and refurbishment of existing rigs, said O'Grady. The concept of operations document, in which the end user describes what tasks they want an asset to perform, is missing in a lot of highly integrated assets such as drilling rigs.

O'Grady also noted that rig owners are now taking more control of the commissioning phase of rigs. This approach is a shift from the original owner-furnished equipment in which a rig owner specified to a shipyard what particular pieces would go on a rig. However, the implementation of software on rigs began to cause delays with rig deliveries. Shipyards began suggesting that, while shipyards could standardize some equipment parts for rigs, more specialized pieces with software-dependent parts should be put in place by the owner.


|
|
Monday, May 30, 2011

DirectU2 Specs & Techs: Powering Electronic Devices with Sound...



View it online Brought to you by IEEE - Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.
GlobalSpec: DirectU2 Specs & Techs e-Newsletter
Home  |  Past Issues  |  Upcoming Events  |  On-Demand Events  |  Video | Send to a Friend
Take the Cost and Complexity Out of Vibration
Analysis
Fluke Vibration Solution Center
  Take the Cost and Complexity Out of Vibration Anal

The Fluke 810 Vibration Tester helps you locate and diagnose common mechanical problems with a straightforward three-step process, saving you time and money.

See the cost savings for yourself with a complimentary vibration diagnostic report, "The Fluke 810." Get answers now.

RDM Laboratory and Industrial Furniture
Manufacturer
RDM Industrial Products, Inc.
  RDM Laboratory & Industrial Furniture Manufacturer

RDM Industrial Products, Inc. manufactures and provides an array of quality industrial and laboratory furniture, including support products, to the advanced technology, biotechnology, electronics, healthcare, and many other private and commercial industries. Established in 1977, RDM has been in business for over 30 years. Our facility is ready to provide your company with the quality furniture products and service you demand. We specialize in shipping top quality products to locations nationwide on time.

As a manufacturer of industrial furniture, we produce workbenches, lab tables, technician workstations, adjustable height tables, and clean air laminar flow workstations with HEPA filtration, carts, etc.

Want to Quadruple Your Prototyping Productivity?
Objet Geometries, Inc.
  Want to Quadruple Your Prototyping Productivity?

"The fact that we were able to print multiple iterations quickly enabled the designers to experiment more and still make all their deadlines."

~ Mike Zeigle, Manager of Trek's Prototype Development Group

Objet Connex 3D printing systems are the first 3D printing systems that enable jetting of multiple model materials simultaneously. They offer the completely unique ability to print parts and assemblies made of multiple model materials, with different mechanical or physical properties, all in a single build.

Read about Trek's Connex500 here!

Swivel Eyebolt Ensures a Safe Lift!
RUD Chain, Inc.
  Swivel Eyebolt Ensures a Safe Lift!

STARPOINT®, the German-engineered swivel eyebolt, is the perfect solution to eliminate the unsafe, rigid-style eyebolt.

The STARPOINT® swivels to the direction of the load lift and allows full engagement of the bolt; the working load limit (WLL) is always at the direction of the load. The unique design of STARPOINT® ensures a safe lift and prevents damage to precious loads. Forged material 1.6541 alloy quenched and tempered, 100% electromagnetic crack detected according to EN 1677-1, and with a 4:1 design factor. Distinct Florescent pink powder-coating changes its color when temperatures exceed 200° C. The RUD® STARPOINT® rotates 360 degrees!

 
NEWS OF INTEREST
Split-cycle Engine is "Truly Revolutionary"
  Split-cycle Engine is 'Truly Revolutionary'

In this SAE 2011 World Congress commentary, Frank Sherosky of Torque News recounts a recent interview with Sal Scuderi, president of the Scuderi Group. Reading between the lines, Sherosky describes their conversation regarding development of the Scuderi Split-cycle engine.

More from Automotive Technology


The New CAD Revolution...And What it Means to You
Creo — A PTC Product
  The New CAD Revolution...And What it Means to You

It's been some time since CAD was really worth our time. After years of improvements and leapfrog features, the technology advances and new thinking of the last few years offers some real change.

This eBook, written by CAD specialist Chad Jackson of Lifecycle Insights, provides a straightforward look at how the ongoing revolution in CAD affects different individual roles and the impact on companies. Download it now!

 
R&D REPORT
Harvesting Acoustic Energy
  Harvesting Acoustic Energy

Harvesting energy from sound appears to be a promising technology to some researchers, but others believe the small amount of energy isn't practical. To date, milliwatts of electricity can be harvested from sound. Jeong Ho You, a mechanical engineer at Southern Methodist University, is working on a practical solution. His computer simulation of a resonating chamber design shows promising results. He believes that sound energy can be trapped and converted into low-amperage current to power low-amp electronic devices. The device he envisions utilizes a piezoelectric beam to capture maximum energy. Next step is to build an actual energy-harvesting device.

More from Acoustics & Audio Technology

Human Cyborgs: No Longer Science Fiction
  Human Cyborgs: No Longer Science Fiction

Although science fiction shows us a future of human-like robots that have integrated biological and mechanical systems, the development of electronic components from human tissue is no longer fiction. Scientists have recently constructed a memristor from human blood and are now planning to build capacitors and transistors from human tissue. These advancements could lead to new artificial limb technology and eventually robotic cyborgs.

Learn more about MEMS devices&#8230

 
New! Light Duty Aluminum Rings: A Cost-effective
Rotary Motion Solution
Bishop-Wisecarver Corporation
  New! Light Duty Aluminum Rings: A Cost-effective Rotary Motion Solution

The HepcoMotion® ALR Aluminum Rings exclusively from Bishop-Wisecarver are ideal for light load applications, weighing up to 54% less than steel rings of comparable size. Anodized for corrosion resistance, these cost-effective rings are available in four sizes, from 148 mm to 300 mm in diameter. Compatible with the DualVee® guide wheels from Bishop-Wisecarver. Custom ring options include gearcut, internal vee, and timing pulley. Suitable for non-magnetic, semi-conductor, and aerospace type applications.

Get a Complimentary Article from the IEEE Xplore®
Digital Library
IEEE - Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.
  Get a Complimentary Article from the IEEE Xplore® Digital Library

The IEEE Xplore® Digital Library provides instant, full-text access to all IEEE journal articles, conference papers, and standards — all the cutting-edge research in all aspects of technology.

Get a complimentary article.

Very Small Injection Technology
JM Harwood, LLC
  Very Small Injection Technology

The V-SInTech combines a pump and injector into a single miniature unit, while atomizing liquids into droplets as small as 10 microns. It can fire over 100 times a second and produce peak pressures of 3000 psi. What can V-SInTech do for your organization?

RIGEL Video Borescope with Supreme Articulation
Medit
  RIGEL Video Borescope with Supreme Articulation

The RIGEL Videoscopes are designed with accessibility in mind. Their main feature is supreme two-way tip articulation allowing you to articulate a full 180 degrees in both directions, while rotating the probe 360 degrees in a circle. The interchangeable waterproof probes can be used to inspect virtually any location. Read more

 
PRODUCT-WATCH
Contract Sleeving
 
MPI Label Systems
  Contract Sleeving

MPI provides Contract Sleeving that can prove to be cost-effective for applying shrink sleeves to your manufactured products. Our sleeving line offers both automated and manual application. More info...

Analysis and Design of Wireless Communication
Systems
Remcom (USA)
  Analysis and Design of Wireless Communication Systems

Wireless InSite is site-specific radio propagation software. It provides efficient and accurate predictions of propagation and communication channel characteristics in complex urban, indoor, rural, and mixed path environments. More info...

CAS Announces New SQ2020 Series Data Loggers
CAS Data Loggers
  CAS Announces New SQ2020 Series Data Loggers

CAS Data Loggers and Grant Instruments have introduced a significant upgrade for their high-performance, portable SQ2020 Series Data Loggers which now feature an improved, fully-configurable large graphical LCD display and updated design. More info...

Swifter® Hybrid HVLS Industrial Ceiling Fan
Glocon, Inc.
  Swifter® Hybrid HVLS Industrial Ceiling Fan

Swifter® Solar Series is a hybrid HVLS industrial ceiling fan that operates on both solar and grid power. Available in 12, 20, and 24 ft diameter. Ideal for cooling large warehouses. More info...

Precision Conformal Coatings to Your Specifications
JARO Corp.
  Precision Conformal Coatings to Your Specifications

JARO offers value-added coating application services, specializing in functional coatings for electronics, aerospace, and medical industries. 25+ years experience in conformal, conductive, and dielectric coatings application. ISO 2001; 2008, AS9100B, ITAR-certified. More info...

New 200 Amp EMI Filter — 3B Series
Filter Concepts, Inc.
  New 200 Amp EMI Filter — 3B Series

Three-phase Pi Section Filter. FCl's economical and compact three-phase filter provides differential and common mode performance in a pi section circuit. Most with full regulatory approvals. More info...

Cost-effective Color Sensor
EMX Industries, Inc.
  Cost-effective Color Sensor

ColorMax™-1000 is the newest color sensor with up to a 300 mm operating range. Set the acceptable RGB values, light source intensity, tolerance for each color component, and click on "Teach." More info...

Prevent and Destroy Mold and Other Growth
Sanuvox Technologies, Inc.
  Prevent and Destroy Mold and Other Growth

The Sanuvox CoilClean IL UV Systems are designed to prevent and destroy mold and other microbial growth from growing on the evaporator coil and surrounding areas. More info...

 
TECHNOLOGY-TRENDS
Hybrid HVAC Gives University the "Green" Light
  Hybrid HVAC Gives University the 'Green' Light

When the energy-conscious University of Washington in Seattle decided to renovate its nearly century-old historic Savery Hall, it asked engineers to go green. But going green also meant exploring new cutting-edge HVAC technology. While the design team originally explored a new VAV (variable-air-volume) system to control the 900,000 sq ft building's interior climate, they realized that due to the area's mild temperatures, natural ventilation should also be explored. The result? A "red light/green light," LEED-approved hybrid HVAC system that combines fresh air with mechanical heating and cooling, providing an overall energy savings of 25% per year.

Learn more about heat and energy recovery systems

The Human Body as Touchscreen
  The Human Body as Touchscreen

Parts of the human anatomy — such as an arm, hand, or fingers — can take the place of a touchscreen, thanks to this researcher's work. In this article and accompanying video, he explains and demonstrates how his technique (which he calls "skinput") can capture and interpret the sounds and vibrations that ripple through the skin and body tissues in response to a simple tap on the arm, for example.

Learn more about touchscreen displays

 
CHALLENGE-OF-THE-MONTH

X-rays in Crystals
 

Most electromagnetic waves exhibit an index of refraction >1 in most media, so when the wave enters a medium, its speed is less than the speed of light in a vacuum. If "n" is the index of refraction and "c" is the speed of light in a vacuum, the speed of the electromagnetic wave in a particular medium is given by v=c/n. However, this is not the case when X-rays penetrate crystals. In this case, the index of refraction is <1. How can you explain this? Is it possible that X-rays in crystals travel at a speed higher than the speed of light in a vacuum?

Answer / Discuss

 
TECH-ARTICLE
Modern Methods of Particle Characterization

"Since prehistory man has been aware of the importance of particle size in producing resources and wares with desired properties. Archeological evidence indicates that paints used for cave wall paintings are mixtures of finely pulverized pigmenting materials, predominantly carbon, ochre and hematite. Man came to realize that adding pulverized materials to clay not only improved its workability, but improved the drying process, reduced shrinkage and changed the characteristics of the resulting vessels. There also is evidence of using particles of certain sizes to control porosity." Read this article in its entirety.

This article is provided by Micromeritics.

 
TECH-TOOLS
Newsletter Subscriptions

Newsletter Subscriptions
Your source for technology news and industry information

Questions & Discussion

Questions & Discussion
CR4: Q&A and discussion for the engineering, scientific, and technical community

Product Alerts

Product Alerts
Receive e-mail updates on new products and suppliers

Enginering News

Engineering News
Engineering and scientific news from hundreds
of sources

Engineering Toolbar

Download the Engineering Toolbar
Put the power of GlobalSpec right at your fingertips

Product Announcements

Product Announcements
New and featured products from manufacturers and suppliers

Events

Events
NEW: Online, interactive conferences / trade shows featuring latest news and industry trends
Call for Speakers — submit your proposal

Directory of Companies
Part Number Search
Technical Articles
Engineering & Scientific Links

Follow GlobalSpec On ...   Facebook    Twitter

Feedback | Media Kit | Forward to a Friend
May 31, 2011 - Volume 11 Issue 22B
© 2011 GlobalSpec, Inc. All rights reserved. GlobalSpec, the GlobalSpec logo, SpecSearch, The Engineering Web, The Engineering Search Engine, and DirectU2 are registered trademarks of GlobalSpec, Inc., 30 Tech Valley Drive, Suite 102, East Greenbush, NY 12061 - 800.261.2052. All other products, company names, or other marks appearing in this e-newsletter are the trademarks and property of their respective owners.


Deepwater Forum, Ten reasons to attend... August 16-18




FUEL FOR THOUGHT - Energy News, Careers, Analysis & Technology - 24/7/365

Hosts:

Apache Deep Water Intervention Shell

"Next Steps - The New Reality…"

Deepwater Intervention Forum, August 16-18, 2011
Galveston Convention Center, Galveston, Texas

With increasing demand for deepwater exploration, the importance of technology developments continues to increase and so do the unexpected challenges that come with them. Finding ways to avoid or reduce workover, and thru-tubing well intervention costs is becoming critical for operators with mature assets.

Discover the systems and technologies available and interact with the experts and hear recent experiences about real operations at the Deepwater Intervention Forum.

Register for DIF 2011

Ten Reasons to Attend

Register for DIF 2011

Subsea Well Operations Workshop - The aim will be to help attendees define the probability of success and cost benefit of using subsea well intervention operations compared to standard MODU operations, and to provide assessment, analysis and comparison of subsea well intervention operations as applied to a case study. Participants include experts from Chevron, Helix and many other companies.
Operator Key Note Presentation- Apache Deepwater
Case history presentations by Chevron, Hess, Helix, Marathon, Shell
Update on current governmental regulations
Panel discussion on vertical vs. horizontal trees featuring operator and service viewpoints
Electronic audience response system surveys
New technology updates from Chevron, FMC, Expro, Helix, Welltec
Packed exhibit hall with major companies
Excellent networking opportunities including cocktail receptions, lunches & continental breaks
Exclusive event golf tournament at Moody Gardens Golf Course, Sponsored by Oceaneering


Silver Sponsor:

Baker Hughes

Sponsors:

Boots & Coots Oceaneering
Tetra
Boots & Coots Well Ops - Helix Ocean Sub Sea Services

Supporting Organizations:

ICOTA SUT SubWIN

Organizer:

OilOnline.com OE - Offshore Engineer

This interactive event is designed to maximize the exchange of ideas among delegates and presenters. This is achieved by eliminating formal, peer-reviewed papers in favor of brief technical presentations followed by an extended Q&A period. No proceedings will be published, and the press will not be invited.

For more information or to participate in this event, please contact Ray Vanegas, CMP at 713-874-2207 or rvanegas@oilonline.com or link to www.deepwaterintervention.com For sponsorship and exhibit information, please contact Lisa Zadok at 713-874-2215 or Lisa@oilonline.com


Register for DIF 2011





1635 W. Alabama | Houston, TX 77006 | USA | +1 713 285 5063

Thanks for visiting the site and your interest in oil and gas drilling

free counters