Claxton introduces new CCSS
Abstract: Claxton’s new conductor cementing support system can save between 12 and 18 hours of rig time on each conductor being installed.
Recently it has become increasingly common for operators to install a jacket, drill through the jacket structure and batch-set the platform’s conductors, ready to install the topsides at a later date. A rig is brought over the jacket and used to run the conductors – and traditionally the rig would have to hold each conductor in place whilst the cement cured, typically requiring that the rig hold the conductor between can save between 12 and 18 hours.
CCSS is compact for easy repositioning without a crane. It offers schedule flexibility because it splits in half to enable operators to run the conductor before or after CCSS is in place.
Built bespoke for your development, the conductor cementing support system from Claxton completed negates wasting rig time to wait for the cement to cure.
“The rig no longer has to hold each conductor and can therefore skid over to the next slot and begin running another.”
It is possible to increase efficiencies even further with this system by having two conductor cementing support systems running simultaneously on a project. Whether one or two systems are used, the process massively reduces time required to batch-set and delivers rig time savings in the multi-millions when installing multiple conductors.
Conductor Cementing Support System (CCSS) specifications:
Holding Capacity 135 – 160 tonnes
Conductor Diameter 24″ – 30″. Design can scale to any conductor size on request
Vertical Travel 150mm–300mm. Bespoke cylinders can be supplied to suit individual project requirements.
Footprint Tailored to your slot / jacket configuration.
Power Tailored to your slot / jacket configuration.
FEATURES:
No crane needed
Thanks to a compact design, the system uses heavy-duty castors and does not require the use of a crane or rig to reposition within the well bay/platform structure.
Small footprint
Space is always at a premium offshore – so the CCSS is designed so the jacking element can be deployed and retrieved through the diverter housing (49.5″ diameter ID housing).
Flexible by design
Built to order, the system is completely tailored to your platform and project specification – something our in-house design team can do with ease.
Fits to your installation schedule
The system can be split in half, giving you flexibility on whether you run the conductor before or after the system has been put in place.
The Claxton CCSS is designed to secure the conductor with a hydraulic jack-and-clamp mechanism that holds the weight of the conductor while the cement cures. The rig no longer has to hold each conductor, and can move to the next slot and begin running another conductor.
Claxton Technical Director Dannie Claxton says, “The CCSS has a holding capacity of 135–160 tons (123–145 metric tons), and is suitable for conductor diameters of 24 in. to 30 in. However, we can scale the design to any conductor size on request and tailor the footprint and weight handling capacity to specific slot or jacket configurations. The new system has a compact design and can be repositioned easily without a crane. In addition, it offers schedule flexibility because it splits in half, thereby enabling operators to run the conductor before, or after, the CCSS is in place.”
Claxton developed a new conductor cementing support system (CCSS) that has typically saved 12 – 18 hours of rig time per conductor waiting for cement to cure.
According to Claxton, it has recently become increasingly common for operators to install a jacket and batch set the platform conductors so that the topsides can be installed at a later date. The operator brings a rig over the jacket and uses it to run a conductor and then to hold the conductor in place while the cement cures, a process that typically takes 12 – 18 hours.
The Claxton CCSS secures the conductor with a hydraulic jack-and-clamp mechanism that holds the weight of the conductor while the cement cures. This means that the rig no longer has to hold each conductor, and can therefore move to the next slot and begin running another conductor.
“The new system has a compact design and can be repositioned easily without a crane,” says Dannie Claxton, Claxton technical director. “In addition, it offers schedule flexibility because it splits in half, thereby enabling operators to run the conductor before, or after, the CCSS is in place.
Claxton says its CCSS has already been used successfully in the field on projects for two major North Sea operators.
“We know that every job can present new challenges and every platform installation is different, so we offer a custom design-and-build service to meet specific customer needs. The CCSS has already been used successfully in the field on projects for two major North Sea operators. We expect further interest, due to the system’s huge cost-saving potential,” Claxton concluded.