Claxton's New Conductor Cementing Support System Delivers Huge Rig Time Savings

Claxton Engineering Services Ltd, an Acteon company, has 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. 

Recently, it has 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.

Dannie Claxton, technical director, Claxton, said, “The CCSS has a holding capacity of 135 - 160 t and is suitable for conductor diameters of 24 - 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.

“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 concludes.

Cutline
Claxton's conductor cementing support system saves rig time for operators and features custom design capabilities for size, footprint and weight handling capacity.

Claxton, an Acteon company, is the leading supplier of engineering and services for shallow-water, jackup-depth markets. The company draws on more than two decades of industry experience to provide services for well systems, structures and pipelines across the lifetime of a field – from pre-drilling to drilling, production and decommissioning. Claxton provides first-class tailored engineering and holds a large on-call rental inventory. Claxton’s responsive service, alongside numerous field-proven innovations, has established an enviable reputation for the company. For more information, please visit www.claxtonengineering.com.

About Acteon
Acteon companies provide mooring, foundation, riser, conductor, flowline and marine electronics products and services supported by strong engineering and project management capabilities. Acteon’s companies are 2H Offshore, Aquatic, Claxton, Conductor Installation Services (CIS), Core Grouting Services, Fluke Subsea, InterAct, InterMoor, J2 Subsea, LDD, LM Handling, MENCK, Mirage Machines, NCS Survey, Offshore Installation Services (OIS), Probe Oil Tools, Pulse Structural Monitoring, Seatronics, Subsea Riser Products (SRP) and TEAM Energy Resources. Learn more at www.acteon.com

About subsea services
Subsea services are defined as the provision of specialist equipment, services and personnel that can operate from any fit-for-purpose vessel or platform. Acteon’s subsea services offering is unique and addresses operational requirements that support oil and gas asset owners, construction and drilling companies, and vessel owners.