2H Offshore, riser and conductor specialists in subsea services group Acteon, has announced the launch of the Measurement-based Wellhead Fatigue Joint Industry Project (JIP), which will see 2H Offshore work with operators to improve riser, wellhead and conductor fatigue estimates and make drilling operations more reliable and efficient.

The project aims to provide a measurement-based foundation for drilling riser system modelling to ensure that riser, wellhead and conductor fatigue damage can be more accurately assessed.

Field data from 18 operators and drilling contractors in 9 regions worldwide and water depths ranging from 200m to 1700m has been gathered. 2H will apply its proven analytics methodology to reduce conservatism, or otherwise, in riser and wellhead wave and VIV fatigue loading predictions using field data. The findings will improve the accuracy of future wellhead fatigue assessments and eliminate unnecessary upgrades to improve predicted fatigue and provide industry consensus on design methodology.

Bulent Mercan, 2H Offshore Project Manager, said:
“Riser, wellhead and conductor fatigue life is one of the most important aspects of drilling system integrity assurance. However, analytical parameters related to riser and BOP hydrodynamics, vortex induced vibrations (VIV) and conductor-soil interaction are still not fully understood.”

“To obtain acceptable fatigue life, subsea engineers are having to take costly measures such as the installation of strakes around the riser joints, improvements of fatigue details at welds and connectors, vessel upgrades and more. A reliable set of analytical parameters leveraging diverse field measurements will lead to improved accuracy and more efficient drilling operations. Industry collaboration through sharing resources will play an important role to achieve this goal.”

Currently, eight (8) major oil and gas operators have joined the JIP. 2H invites any other interested industry partners to join the JIP and in turn benefit from the field data insights.