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FORINFRA-Nasj.sats. forskn.infrastrukt

Laboratory upgrade of Ullrigg Drilling and Well Centre

Awarded: NOK 40.0 mill.

Ullrigg's vision is automated and remotely controlled drilling and well operations in a safe and clean environment. The current Ullrigg Drilling and Well Centre has been developed since 1981 and approx. 800 MNOK has been invested. It has mainly been a cen ter for testing and qualification of new product concepts in the international oil & gas industry. In order to support future RTD, major upgrades and extensions are required. Based on Norway's world leading position within oil & gas, international researc h and industrial frontrunners are expected to search for Norwegian cooperation not limited to oil & gas RTD only, but also for future RTD topics such as geothermal energy and CO2 handling. The associated RTD challenges are related to new well constructio n, new drilling concepts, increased automation, faster, safer and cheaper operations, adaption to harsh environments, and solutions for increased oil recovery (IOR). The planned upgrade in PHASE I covers the physical infrastructure (rig, equipment and har dware). Major rig equipment upgrades include mud pump, shale shaker, HTV machine, drill floor manipulator arm, instrumentation, control systems and various drilling equipment. In PHASE II (after 2014 - outside the scope of this project), the plan is to e xtend the functionality by upgrading the Virtual Arena (virtual laboratory for offshore operations), and required ICT and eInfrastructure. Investments will include Virtual Rig environment, virtual models of rig equipment, components and physical processes . The total budget of PHASE I is 65 MNOK. The financing budget proposes that RCN covers 40 MNOK.

Funding scheme:

FORINFRA-Nasj.sats. forskn.infrastrukt

Funding Sources