Since 1996, Maritime Well Service has been Statoil's main supplier of tractor and wireline services, and in 2003 alone, Statoil reduced operating costs for well intervention by approximately NOK 500 million by using wireline tractors as an alternative to other well intervention methods.

The existing wireline tractor technology from Maritime Well Service uses hydraulically driven wheels to provide propulsion, and is mainly used for conveyance of tools in horizontal wells for acquisition of production data, and for plug setting and perforating operations.,

The new tractor will be for use in open hole wells, which are wells without wall casing or lining. To operate wireline tractor in open hole wells, a new type of propulsion mechanism based on chain tracks will be developed. The project has commenced and the initial tests of the prototype have been successful. The technology agreement between Statoil and Maritime Well Service has set a target for this technology to be available for operation in the 3rd quarter of 2005.

"We can see a considerable market potential for open hole tractor services, both nationally and internationally", says Ole Petter Thomesen, President of Maritime Well Service.

"Statoil expects increased use of tractors to be a cost effective alternative compared to current method of pipe conveyed logging in highly deviated wells. The advantages resulting from using the tractor technology is reduced operating times, improved operational safety, better quality on measured data, and that casing/liner can be installed sooner thus leaving the reservoir formation exposed for a shorter time. The goal is to achieve cost savings of approximately NOK 2 - 2.5 million per well operation", says Stephen Stragiotti, Statoil's Advisor for Cable and Tractor Technology in the Well Intervention Department.

Maritime Well Service's existing wireline tractor is marked under the brand PowerTrac®Advance(TM).

ENDS

 

Media:
Torbjørn Andersen, SVP Group Communications, Aker Kvaerner. Tel: +47 67 51 30 36

Ole Petter Thomesen, President, Maritime Well Services, Tel.: + 47 982 96990

Investor relations:
Lasse Torkildsen, Vice President, Aker Kvaerner, Group Comms. Tel: +47 67 51 30 39

 

AKER KVÆRNER ASA, through its subsidiaries and affiliates ("Aker Kvaerner"), is a leading global provider of engineering and construction services, technology products and integrated solutions. The business within Aker Kvaerner span a number of industries, including Oil & Gas production, Refining & Chemicals, Mining & Metals, Pharmaceuticals & Biotechnology, Power Generation and Pulp & Paper. Aker Kvaerner has aggregated annual revenues of approximately USD 4.5 billion and employs around 21,000 employees in more than 30 countries.

The Aker Kvaerner group consists of a number of separate legal entities. Aker Kvaerner is used as the common brand/trademark for most of these entities. The parent company in the group is Aker Kværner ASA.

 

The Products and Technologies business area in Aker Kvaerner unites the product supply companies in the group to a strong global supplier of products and services to the upstream oil and gas industry. Key deliverables include drilling equipment and systems, wellstream process technology, vessel mooring equipment and offshore loading/offloading systems. Global after-sale services are provided, and other key services include well intervention technology & services and marine contracting.

 

Maritime Well Service AS is Aker Kvaerner's Centre of Excellence for Well Intervention technology. The company is a principle supplier of Wireline, Tractor and Cased Hole Logging Services to the technology oriented North Sea oil and gas industry. Maritime Well Service (MWS) is experienced in the management and execution of integrated well service contracts. Maritime Well Service specialises in mechanical wireline operations and data acquisition with all cable sizes.

This press release may include forward-looking information or statements and is subject to our disclaimer, see our web-pages www.akerkvaerner.com