Deepwater drilling

Due to demand for new technology and solutions requested by operators, Scanmudring has developed, built and used more new equipment over the recent years than in the rest of the company’s 30-year long history. 

As an example, Scanmudring was challenged by Equinor to come up with new or improved solutions related to optimization of future pipeline routes. Planning the Johan Sverdrup installation project, the operator identified subsea rock outcrops which restricted the pull-in of the 36” oil export line from the Johan Sverdrup field to Mongstad through a 48” borehole. For Scanmudring this included finding a cost-effective solution for mechanical rock removal/rock splitting of massive rock on great water depths, in a 90-degree hill inclination close to existing live pipelines. See more

The challenge was not only to find the correct tool, but also how to place the subsea excavator in challenging terrain. This was solved by placing the excavator in a basket and adding steel arms for stabilisation. 3 technologies were developed, including a drill rig capable of drilling 89mm holes.