As part of their Schiehallion Quad 204 drilling campaign, BP employed a Generation-6 semi-submersible rig for the drilling operations. A need was identified for an Extra Support Sleeve (ESS) to be engineered and manufactured, to improve fatigue life of the existing subsea wellhead under the predicted loading conditions. A further need was identified to engineer and build a Torque and Alignment Structure (TAAS).
MMA was contracted to provide the ESS solution to support the wellhead. The ESS consists of a fabricated pipe which is welded onto a forged and machined ESS body. The ESS supports the wellhead from the outside and provides additional stiffness to the wellhead. The ESS is attached to a Torque and Alignment Structure (TAAS) which also accommodates cementing equipment.
The system was fully developed and delivered by MMA – 100% in-house design and optimisation. Eight systems were successfully deployed during the period of 2014 to 2016.
Our scope of supply included:
- All elements of engineering and project management
- All elements of engineering analysis and fatigue modelling
- Qualification and validation testing for centraliser system
- Factory acceptance testing and finite element model validation
- Technical risk assurance process
- Manufacture of every element of the ESS and TAAS wellhead integrity systems
- Design and manufacture of wellhead lifting clamps
- Management of third-party design verification and assurance process
- Interfacing with client, OEM’s, technical authorities, assurance bodies and rig personnel
- Offshore engineering and technical support with system installation and subsea deployment onboard Deepsea Aberdeen semi-submersible