As drilling costs keep coming down for land-based wells in unconventional plays, offshore drillers face increased pressure to lower their costs. A key focus area: maintenance budgets for marine drilling risers. Instead of the traditional five-year, calendar-based inspection interval for risers, can drillers use a condition-based monitoring (CBM) methodology to extend the interval to beyond five years?
A longer interval would cut down on the frequency with which risers have to be shipped to shore for inspection and returned back to the rig to go back into service. Reducing trips makes more effective use of transport vessels, maintenance crews and reduces the overall carbon footprint. Ultimately, a CBM program helps drillers become more cost-competitive and lowers their drilling cost per foot.
Brazil Energy Insight 
Leave a comment