Offshore oilfield engineering outfit AGR Subsea Inc. has earned a contract with Chevron in the U.S.A. to develop the technology of and a management approach to dual-gradiant drilling — destined to be aboard at least one of two ultra-deepwater Transocean drillships commissioned by the oil company.
AGR will evolve the dual gradient drilling kit, a technology with potential to be the enabling kit for the world’s deepwater assets. The dual-gradiant drilling machinery is to be deployed in 2011.
AGR Drilling Services’ Tom Hasler told Scandoil.com that it isn’t “finalized” whether the Discoverer Clear Leader now plying the Gulf of Mexico for Chevron or a second commissioned drill ship will be first to field the new technlogy.
The dual drilling ability evolved from a U.S. joint industry project for subsea mudlift from some eight years ago. Rival technlogy is understood to be used by at least Seadrill.
Though the confidential AGR contract involves developing an approach to managing the extreme deepwater kit until it’s commercial, the supplier-contractor will also manage sub-contractors associated with development and drilling.
“The main components will be from companies well-known in the industry,” Hasler said.
Tags:
AGR Group,
Chevron Corporation,
Transocean Inc.
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