Proserv Unveils Innovative Well Abandonment Tool

HOUSTON, May 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Proserv, a global leader in energy production technology services, has unveiled a next generation subsea cutting tool that provides complete well severance and significantly reduces in-well operational time by up to 50%.  

Proserv's enhanced Multi-String Cutting (MSC) tool, which was launched today at the Offshore Technology Conference in Houston, is a customisable internal multi-string conductor cutter that provides complete well severance from tool deployment to cutting operation and tool recovery within 12 hours.

First developed over two years ago in response to client demand for a specialist subsea cutting solution that severs fully grouted or non-grouted casing strings, the tool has undergone significant enhancements including an innovative new design of cutting head. It also now includes highly-reliable wireless data transmission technology which removes the need for data cables and eliminates the threat of cable damage, whilst improving control.

When used in conjunction with Proserv's market-leading water abrasive cutting technology, it offers clients a superior cutting solution for their most challenging decommissioning and abandonment requirements. To date, the MSC tool has successfully severed 42 wells with expectations for the next generation tool to surpass this in 2012.

David Dent, vice president offshore and subsea services said: "The MSC tool provides a solution that is more efficient than conventional mechanical cutting methods, saving time and money in well abandonment operations and it is considerably more environmentally friendly than explosives.  

"We are committed to investing and building upon our world-class technologies and our existing range of value-added products and services. The MSC tool further strengthens our suite of subsea and marine tools for specialist cold cutting, coating and marine growth removal, friction stud welding and subsea dredging services."

The new tool, approximately three meters (nine feet 10 inches) in length and 20 centimeters (eight inches) in diameter, reinforces the company's rapidly-expanding subsea capabilities and specialist integrated services to the market including its world-beating technologies.

Notes to editor:

Proserv is a market-leading energy production technology services company which operates worldwide in more than 7 regions and 21 sites including the UK, the USA, Scandinavia, the Middle East, Far East, Africa and Australia. The company has a 35-year track record in delivering bespoke technologies and services for the energy industry, particularly in the drilling, production, subsea and decommissioning market sectors.

Last year, five separate entity companies were consolidated under the Proserv brand. These were: Proserv Offshore, Proserv Technology, Hydrafit Subsea, Gilmore and Argus Subsea.

By bringing all five businesses together under one cohesive organization with its own identity Proserv has been able to enhance its market-leading presence as well as extend its global footprint and support coverage.

Proserv specializes in 4 key service areas - Drilling & Production, Subsea Technology, Equipment & Support Services and Infrastructure Services.

SOURCE Proserv