Aberdeen-based wellhead engineering firm Plexus Holdings has won a contract to supply equipment to what could be the highest pressure well drilling on the Norwegian Continental Shelf.
The US$3.3 million contract is with Total E&P Norge for POS-GRIP wellhead systems, associated equipment and mudline services for the operator's ultra high temperature and high pressure Solaris gas exploration well in the Graben area of the North Sea, offshore Norway.
Plexus’ wellhead systems can safely operate through the blowout preventer (BOP) within X-HP/HT conditions estimated at up to 17,000-19,000 psi maximum well pressure, whilst supporting casing at the ocean floor on its proprietary mudline hanger system.
Solaris is located close to BG Norge’s Mandarin East well, which is also known for its extreme high pressure conditions and initial data suggests that Solaris may be the highest pressure well in the North Sea to date.
Under the terms of the contract, Plexus will supply its 18-3/4in XHP/HT POS-GRIP jackup drilling system.
Plexus’ CEO Ben Van Bilderbeek said: “We are delighted to be working with Total as a new client on this drilling project. Further, Total through one of its research groups, has worked with Plexus over the past four years on the development of a new generation subsea wellhead system, under the auspices of the Python joint industry project (JIP). The Python JIP is sponsored by a number of major operating companies and will be launched at SPE Offshore Europe in Aberdeen in September 2015.
Total has been leading high-pressure operations in the North Sea, alongside BG Group. Read more: The HPHT challenge