Stena IceMAX DNV GL Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD) Notation

September 4, 2020

STENA DRILLING HAVE BEEN AWARDED ACCREDITATION FROM CLASSIFICATION SOCIETY DNV GL FOR THE ULTRA-DEEPWATER HARSH ENVIRONMENT DRILL SHIP STENA ICEMAX. STENA ICEMAX JOINS SISTER SHIP, STENA CARRON, AS THE INDUSTRY’S ONLY VESSELS TO OBTAIN THE DNV GL DRILL MPD NOTATION. STENA ICEMAX WAS THE WORLD’S FIRST DYNAMICALLY POSITIONED, DUAL MAST ICE-CLASS DRILL SHIP.

As with Stena Carron, Stena Drilling elected to conform to the highest standards and so chose to certify in accordance with the latest DNV GL MPD requirements for Stena IceMAX. Stena Drilling remain the first and only recipient of this accolade.

To date, Stena Drilling have successfully drilled two MPD wells with no equipment down time, which is an outstanding performance statistic. Unique MPD operations such as dynamic leak off tests and dynamic pore pressure tests have been successfully and efficiently performed. The Stena Drilling team engaged with a wide range of industry experts to develop and refine procedures and policies to govern all MPD activity. As Stena Drilling strive for continuous improvement, rig specific MPD training has been developed which captures the lessons learned from the MPD experience. This includes simulator based training where the drilling supervisors are exposed to various MPD scenarios utilising the rig specific procedures to manage each situation. The training ensures that Stena Drilling provide competent crews to supervise and operate the MPD system.

Due to the strong MPD infrastructure already in place and achievements of previous MPD operations, Stena Drilling were selected for a high profile deepwater exploration campaign in Q4 2018. Stena IceMAX will complete the campaign taking the drilling unit into Q1 2019.

Stena Drilling always strive for innovation and new technologies, focussed on continuously seeking opportunities for end customers and operators. The custom made fully integrated Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD) package provides Clients with a new and innovative means of accessing hydrocarbon reserves that were previously deemed ‘un-drillable’.

Stena Drilling lead the pack by offering a field proven, robust, efficient, fully integrated and safe system to perform Deepwater MPD Operations.