Electromagnetic Pipe Handling Equipment

22 March 2010 I've been involved in a number of projects recently in the North Sea where we used magnetic ranging techniques for locating nearby well casings. On several of these projects involving older wells (installed in the 1970's and 1980's I believe) we have encountered much higher apparent magnetic pole strengths on the casing than are usually considered "normal". These strengths were on the same order as what we would expect on intentionally magnetized casing.

One idea that has been suggested is that at one time electromagnetic pipe handling equipment was used. That is, the pipe was lifted using an electromagnet, and released by turning off the current.

These particular wells were in the Eldfisk field. Does anyone here have any experience or knowledge of whether such equipment was used offshore?

Neil Bergstrom
MagTraC Specialist
Scientific Drilling

1 Answer(s)

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