New representatives to enhance IADC presence in Europe

By Amy Rose, director of external relations

John Atkinson will serve as regional director – North Sea, based in Aberdeen.

John Boogaerdt will serve as regional director – Europe, based in The Netherlands.

To more effectively represent members in Europe and the North Sea, IADC recently appointed John Boogaerdt and John Atkinson as regional representatives. Mr Boogaerdt will serve as regional director – Europe, based in The Netherlands, and Mr Atkinson will serve as regional director – North Sea, based in Aberdeen; they join IADC’s Denmark-based representative Jens Hoffmark, regional vice president – European operations.

“At the heart of everything that IADC does is a commitment to enhancing operational integrity and championing better regulation. Our regional representatives are based in the same areas across the globe that our members are, allowing IADC to truly represent industry interests internationally,” said Stephen Colville, IADC president and CEO.  “IADC regional representatives, who have deep knowledge and understanding of the regulatory and legislative environment in their assigned area, are invaluable to achieving those goals.”

Besides its three Europe-based representatives, IADC also has a team of regional representatives in Australia, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa.

With more than 35 years of experience with Shell, OMV, Parker Drilling and Schlumberger Business Consulting, Mr Boogaerdt is a senior oil industry professional. His experience encompasses a wide range of E&P subjects, with specific expertise in management of major oil and gas projects. In 2005, he became senior vice president of production at OMV. In 2009, he was named managing director at Parker. From 2011, he served as wells committee manager at the International Association of Oil and Gas Producers.

He has worked and lived in the UK, Austria, Norway, Malaysia, Egypt, Oman, China and the Netherlands.

Mr Atkinson has more than 40 years of experience in the industry. He previously served as vice chairman and chairman of the IADC Australasia Chapter and as vice chairman of the IADC North Sea Chapter. He began his career with Ben Line Group before joining Ben Odeco and later Atlantic Drilling. He joined Diamond Offshore Drilling UK in 1992 as technical services and safety case manager. Over the next 18 years, Mr Atkinson held various positions within Diamond across the world, including Malaysia, Singapore, Australia and Scotland.

“John Boogaerdt and John Atkinson bring with them valuable experience with which to positively impact industry interests in Europe and the North Sea, and I am proud to welcome them to our team,” Mr Colville said.

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New software modules enhance drilling riser monitoring system

By Katherine Scott, editorial coordinator

 Pulse Structural Monitoring, an Acteon company, unveiled three new software modules developed to complement its DrillASSURE drilling riser monitoring system software during a launch event at the 2012 IADC/SPE Drilling Conference and Exhibition in San Diego, Calif., on 7 March. Developed in conjunction with 2H Offshore, the new modules are DrillJOINT, DrillWINDOW and DrillADVISE and add to the current modules DrillFATIGUE, DrillTRANSIT and DrillVIV. The new interfaces are designed to help operators and contractors optimize use of their drill joint inventory, identify optimum operating windows and conduct safe campaigns by constantly analyzing conditions in real time.

“Improvement in safety, productivity and efficiency are increased and lower operating costs are the major benefits we see for integrating the software into (a company’s) operations,” said Jeff Diestler, business development manager for Pulse.

The DrillJOINT module is a complete inventory detailing the location, availability, technical specification, previous use and maintenance history of the owner’s drill joint. It enables  operators and contractors to source riser joints and assemble a robust drilling stack on screen prior to drilling, saving time and enhancing safety and efficiency.

DrillWINDOW offers pre-drilling analysis of static and dynamic operating windows and hang-off envelopes. The user inputs known environmental data, such as wave height, current velocity and mud density, then the software evaluates these data points against approved safety margins to calculate the fatigue life of the drill stack.

Lastly, the DrillADVISE module calculates parameters such as vessel position, flex joint angles and environmental conditions, then presents easily interpretable data in real time to guide the user on proceeding safely and efficiently. Feedback is presented in colors: Green shows all parameters are within thresholds, amber indicated caution or corrective action are required, and red is an instruction to disconnect immediately.

The combination of hardware and software modules creates the DrillASSURE system, which provides information to support day-to-day drilling operation and longer-term integrity management. The system uses real-time software in conjunction with inputs from sensors on the topside vessel, lower marine riser package and along the length of the riser.

“With our DrillASSURE systems (we can) monitor fatigue accumulation on critical components,” Mr Diestler said.

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