Use of (or need for) an ROV on a jack-up to support Drilling only

Dear members

This question was prompted by two coincidental technical discussions.

The primary question is, “we use ROVs on semis-subs and drill-ships, but their use is not particularly common on a jack-up; why?".

That got me thinking, and looking back through some of our previous 500 Workshops.

The thinking starts with, “why would we need an ROV, for a Drilling-only (not Completion) activity?".  Here's what I came  upwith:

1. Often it is used to detect cement to surface for the first hole section, especially where cement to seabed is part of the well integrity requirements; cement shortfall can affect all kinds of things
2. It can also be used for subsea BOP interfaces: back-up hydraulic, hydrate suppression/removal
3. Pre and post well seabed surveys; the latter (as-left) possibly being required by, not only the regulation, but by the fishermen in the case the well was P&A after.
4. Guiding BHAs etc into the well prior to installing the riser (some wells drill multiple riderless sections)
5. Cleaning any Guidebases and subsea infrastructure
6. Checking subsea wellhead and BOP inclination

With jack-ups, with their surface BOPs, items 2, 4, 5 and 6 don't apply.

But items 1 and 3 do.

So, bearing that in mind, and feeling free to add any additional reasons why ROVs are used, it would be interesting to hear what our members are doing ("best practice") in this regard.

And, if an ROV is needed to support Drilling (only) operations on a jack-up, what cost-effective solutions have you employed.

Thanks

Dave

6 Answer(s)

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