West Elara preparation for P&A operation
On behalf of one of our customers, NAVIC engineers developed a feasibility study and pre-engineering design for a modification of the North Atlantic Drilling West Elara oil rig. The aim of the project was to prepare the unit for P&A (Plug and Abandon) operations in the North Sea.
The modifications ordered included the following systems:
1. installation of new shale shakers to implement a lost circulation material (LCM) recovery system.
2. installation of a drilling mud centrifuge to improve parameters of drilling fluids in active circulation.
3. installation of a cement foam system to perform cementation in geothermal wells.
4. installation of additional winches in the Moon Pool area.
5. analysis of the arrangement of the MPD (Managed Pressure Drilling) system provided by M-I Swaco – Schlumberger.
6. installation of a new line for the discharge of cement from the drilling rig into the sea.
7. modification of the existing CRI (cuttings reinjection system).
8. installation of a SWARF unit for removing metal drill bits from the drilling fluid.
9. installation of access platforms.
10. installation of a new rescue chute adapted to the increased platform height.