It is a well-known industry challenge to operate floating drilling rigs safely at all times during completion, well testing and well intervention / work over riser (WOR) operations.

Higher pressure-rated WOR systems combined with year-round operations in harsh environment areas of the world have increased the probability for catastrophic events and equipment damage during well testing and workover operations. In the event of a un-planned drill string compensator stroke / land-out caused by unexpected heave, rig drift-off or any other reason, the generated over pull can exceed the SWL of a rig’s drill string compensator, derrick, travelling equipment and landing string rating.

The tensile strength of the modern-day well-test strings can also often exceed the load rating of the rig’s hoisting and travelling equipment. Hence, there is a requirement to introduce a weak link assembly into the load path to prevent catastrophic damage.

The GMC Weak Link system (patent pending) is specifically designed and manufactured to minimise any potential for and to avoid damages to derrick and/or drilling rig travelling assembly and load path equipment, resulting from drill string compensator failure or misuse.

The GMC Weak Link system is designed and manufactured in accordance with:

  • DNV’s offshore standard DNV-OS-E101 drilling plant, October 2009
  • PSA’s ‘Regulations relating to design and outfitting of facilities, etc. in the petroleum activities’ (the Facilities Regulations), chapter IV, last amended December 2009

Features:

  • Field and industry proven design (reference list available on request)
  • Easy fit and adaptable to all API regular type drilling and extended type testing bails as well as standard elevators
  • The bails can be incorporated in the Weak Link design
  • The completion / WO riser system and drill pipe landing string is also designed to prevent damage to the well barriers in case of accidental loads in the C/WO riser system (ref. ISO 13628-7, 6.7.1)
  • WOR and stack up can be pull-tested to desired pull test value before activating Weak Link system
  • Weak link activation / de-activation is 100% remote operated using hydraulics
  • Weak link load values available in range of settings to meet actual requirements