WorldWide Drilling Resource

23 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® JANUARY 2018 Raising the Number of MudCube ® Systems in North America Adapted from Information by Cubility AS Cubility AS is an innovative Norwegian company which provides solids control solu- tions. These solutions can improve drilling efficiency and solids control, as well as health, safety, and the environment around the drilling process. One such solution is Cubility’s MudCube ® - a compact vacuum-based solids control system. The company made two exclusive distribution partnerships with Canada-based New Tech Solids Inc. and U.S.-based Stage 3 Separation to sell and support the MudCube. As a result, a substantial fleet of MudCube systems will be entering the North American drilling market over the next few years. The partnership comes in response to an in- creased demand for improved drilling efficiencies, reduced waste, and lower costs. The MudCube has already been successfully deployed for Murphy Oil and Shell in Canada, and multiple operators in both the Permian and Eagle Ford. Even Gjesdal, CEO of Cubility said, “As North American onshore plays continue to ramp up operations, the MudCube will perform a vital role in keeping costs down through drilling and mud efficiencies, and the cost-effective disposal of waste. In the case of onshore drilling pads, implementing our technology can have an impact on cost budgets almost immediately.” Instead of separating drilled solids and drilling fluid using the traditional type of vibrating shaker, the MudCube uses a combination of high air flow and vacuum. A rotating filter belt carries mud and drilled solids forward while air is pulled through the belt, taking drilling fluid along with it. The “cleaned” drilling fluid is then returned to the active mud system. This leaves the solids to be carried forward on the filter belt and discharged. Fred Lausen, CEO of Stage 3 Separation stated, “This partnership with Cubility reaf- firms Stage 3 Separation’s commitment to providing the very best solutions to our customer base. We look forward to working with Cubility and U.S. operators to provide optimal well- site performance and ever greater value and levels of sophistication to the filtration and solids control marketplace.” Brad Banister, president of New Tech Solids added, “With ever inc reasing environ- mental regulations, how operators handle their waste generated to meet these regulatory obligations and reduce costs will be essential to future profitability. That’s why we believe the MudCube is such a game changer - providing a cost-effective but efficient means of managing and disposing drilling waste.” ECUADOR'S FIRST GEOTHERMAL PROJECT Information Provided by CELEC EP TERMOPICHINCHA An important milestone was reached in Ecuador with the start of operations on the Chachimbiro Geothermal Project, which will include the country's first geothermal drilling project. All the initial efforts of the project were made in various fields of geo- sciences to determine the drilling site. It also had to be determined if it was possible to overcome the engineering challenges associated with improving access and construction of the platform which will house the drill and all its equipment during approximately four months of uninterrupted work. Mitsubishi Materials Techno Corp, a Japanese consultant, was contracted by Japan International Cooperation Agency, which is financing the project through a nonreimbursable technical cooper- ation. It was discovered there were partial revenues of loads in Ecuador, which were the same ones successfully located on the platform. After the structure and camp have been set up, drilling activities will begin to determine the conditions of the resource in the subsoil for purposes of electricity generation. Once work begins, the transfer of technical-scientific knowledge for young Ecuadorian professionals can be made through the guidance of Mexican and Japanese experts who will guarantee Ecuador will not only have success with this valuable energy source, but also generate capacities for geothermal resources in other areas of the country. The results of the exploratory drilling phase of the project will determine the way forward for the development stage of the geothermal field and subsequent construction of an electric generation plant. An estimated average power of 50 megawatts is expected to be produced by the plant, contributing to the diversification of the current energy matrix by providing strong, clean, and environmentally-friendly energy. The WWDR office will be closed January 1, 2018, so our staff can celebrate the new year with their families. The WWDR Team wishes you a safe and Happy New Year.