DualLink drill pipe proves reliability in Norwegian trials

Offshore staff

STAVANGER, Norway – Reelwell has completed a full-scale demonstration of its DualLink powered and wired drill pipe.

The demonstration, part of Norwegian joint industry project (JIP), took place last month at the NORCE Ullrigg testing rig in Stavanger. A drillstring comprising 96 joints / 3,058 ft (932 m) of DualLink pipe operated without failure for more than 80 hours in hole, drilling through granite down to 4,213 ft (1,284 m).

Test results included high speed bi-directional telemetry at >61,000 bps; power transmission of up to 500 W from surface to the battery-less BHA downhole; 100% uptime reliability of telemetry and power transmission.

The drill pipe was used to power and communicate with downhole tools provided by an international service company, with Reelwell also supplying along-string measurement and high speed MWD replacement tools.

Tests included pipe handling, racking, running in hole, and real-time transmission of high-speed drilling mechanics, surveying and logging data via DualLink during drilling and tripping.

According to Reelwell, studies suggest the use of wired pipe combined with automation at the rig site could lead to a 15% improvement in efficiency and 20% higher production, due to the increased visibility of downhole conditions and reservoir characteristics. 

Reelwell will now manufacture full-length strings of DualLink for various clients for North Sea and US onshore applications.

Partners in the DualLink demo JIP were Equinor, Aker BP, DNO Norge, The Research Council of Norway, Nabors Industries, DP-Master, and Edge Energy.

10/06/2020