Schlumberger Sedco Forex

Engineering Department

Author : Ref.: RE-PR-RC-38

B.Titreville PROCESS CONTROL
Reviewed by : Page: 1 of 5
TF Managers / J.Estrade TASK FORCE Issued: 30 May 1997
Approved by PRM Section GENERAL SECIFICATIONS
Head : D.Brondel Revision: 01

DEGASSING SYSTEM
INSTALLATION

Summary

This document defines the guidelines to be followed by an ENG Task Force (TF) team for the installation
of a degassing system (mud gas separator or degasser) when working with (ship)yards and/or
contractors during repair/construction works on an offshore or onshore rig. This document complements
the general TF procedure RE-PR-RC-01 and other procedures related to the Drilling fluids systems
design.

This document has been issued with Microsoft applications for PC Windows. In accordance with the
policy RE-PO-DOC-03: “Distribution and filing of controlled documents”,it is available on the Sedco
Forex Montrouge (SFM) Web server , Engineering part.

The following keywords are used in Word facility:task force drilling fluid design degassing system
mud gas separator installation

01 New presentation and official dissemination 30/05/97

00 First issue 30/12/96
Revision Date
Description of amendments / page changes / comments
Number dd/mm/yy

Only the pdf document available on the current SF Montrouge Web Server
-Engineering-path ENG Quality System/QualitySystemStructure/Part 3 :
Procedures/Project managementor URL : http://www.montrouge.sedco-forex.slb.com/quality/part3/rc/prrc38.pdf
- is the valid document
 Schlumberger Sedco Forex
Engineering Department

Authors : Ref.: RE-PR-RC-38

P. Sanchez / G.Courcol PROCESS CONTROL
Reviewed by: Page: 2 of 5
TF Managers / J.Estrade TASK FORCE Issued: 30 May 1997
Approved by PRM Section GENERAL SECIFICATIONS
Head : D.Brondel Revision: 01
DEGASSING SYSTEM INSTALLATION
DESILTER- MUD CLEANER INSTALLATION

Table of contents

Summary and log sheet.....................................................................1

Table of contents...............................................................................2

1. Purpose .........................................................................................3
2. Scope.............................................................................................3
3. Schematics ....................................................................................3
3.1 Mud gas separator installation ...........................................3
3.2 Degasser installation ...........................................................3
4. Responsibilities .............................................................................4
5. References ....................................................................................5
6. Distribution.....................................................................................5
7. Attachments...................................................................................5

Reference drawings : STD S 4801, sheets 6/9 to 9/9 , latest revisions

Only the pdf document available on the current SF Montrouge Web Server
-Engineering-path ENG Quality System/QualitySystemStructure/Part 3 :
Procedures/Project managementor URL : http://www.montrouge.sedco-forex.slb.com/quality/part3/rc/prrc38.pdf
- is the valid document
 Schlumberger Sedco Forex
Engineering Department

Authors : Ref.: RE-PR-RC-38

P. Sanchez / G.Courcol PROCESS CONTROL
Reviewed by: Page: 3 of 5
TF Managers / J.Estrade TASK FORCE Issued: 30 May 1997
Approved by PRM Section GENERAL SECIFICATIONS
Head : D.Brondel Revision: 01
DEGASSING SYSTEM INSTALLATION
DESILTER- MUD CLEANER INSTALLATION

1. Purpose
This document defines the guidelines to be followed by an ENG Task Force (TF) team for the installation
of a mud gas separator or degasser when working with (ship)yards and/or contractors during
repair/construction works on an offshore or onshore rig. This document complements the general TF
procedure RE-PR-RC-01and other procedures related to the Drilling fluids systems design numbered
from (but not limited to) RE-PR-RC-33 upwards.
It is not the purpose of this document to recommend any type or manufacturer of degassing system.

2. Scope
These guidelines apply to all drilling fluids, to all mud gas separators and to the four main types of
degassers used on the Sedco Forex fleet.

3. Schematics
The attached schematics STD S 4801 (sheet 6/9 to 9/9) are used as references. They give some
recommendations for the installation of degassing systems.

3.1 Mud gas separator (MGS) installation (refer to the schematics)

The MGS separates the free gas from the contaminated mud, leaving the choke manifold before it is
routed to the degasser. The MGS can be installed as per the four typical schematics. Depending on the
drilling rig/mud surface and the drill floor configuration, one out of the four designs can be selected.
When it is possible, the unitised unit with trip tank should be selected.
Minimum dimensions are shown on the schematics, in particular, the following are critical:
* Mud seal: it must be at least of 1.5m
* Diameter of the MGS: 48”
* Vent line size: 8” minimum for a vent line no longer than 40m/130 ft (distance from the vessel). If
the vent line is longer, a 10” pipe must be selected to ensure that the back pressure in the vent
line does not exceed 15 kPa (2 psi) for a gas flow rate of 6x106 cu. ft /day. Valve or check valve
shall not be fitted on the vent line.
The choke manifold piping connection to the MGS, due to erosion, shall be at least in 4”Sch 80 with a
lead target of 90 deg. elbows. (or reinforced 45 deg. S160 elbows when the lead target is not available).
High pressure hoses, reinforced for erosion, (vibrating type) should be used for connection of the MGS
to the choke manifold (1000 psi WP). Hammer unions connections with unions at least Fig 200 (2000psi
test) are to be used.
The MGS shall be equipped with a 2” wash down line, visit hole, drain hole and pressure gauge (0 to 10
psi). Access holes shall be easily accessible with ladders or a work platform if required.

3.2 Degasser installation(refer to schematics)

The purpose of this section is not to detail the operation of thedegasser, but to give guidelines on the
installation of the 4 main types of degassers used in Sedco Forex. The technical manual of the
equipment shall be consulted at the installation of a degasser.

Only the pdf document available on the current SF Montrouge Web Server
-Engineering-path ENG Quality System/QualitySystemStructure/Part 3 :
Procedures/Project managementor URL : http://www.montrouge.sedco-forex.slb.com/quality/part3/rc/prrc38.pdf
- is the valid document
 Schlumberger Sedco Forex
Engineering Department

Authors : Ref.: RE-PR-RC-38

P. Sanchez / G.Courcol PROCESS CONTROL
Reviewed by: Page: 4 of 5
TF Managers / J.Estrade TASK FORCE Issued: 30 May 1997
Approved by PRM Section GENERAL SECIFICATIONS
Head : D.Brondel Revision: 01
DEGASSING SYSTEM INSTALLATION
DESILTER- MUD CLEANER INSTALLATION
The following four degassers are reviewed :

. Degasser Burgess Magna-vac model 1000(refer to schematics) :

It is a vacuum type degasser (1000 gpm) equipped with a 20 hp motor. As with all vacuum type
degassers, its performance (flow rate and percent of gas removed) is a function of the lifting
head (distance mud level to the degasser impeller). This distance must be reduced as much as
possible in order to get the 1000gpm (this 1000gpm is for a lifting head of 3ft in 1.4 spg mud; or
with a lifting head of 5 ft the flow rate is only 700 gpm).
In order to return the excess volume of mud which is handled by thedegasser, a 12” top
equalizer valve should be installed below the level of the overflow from the buffer tank to the
active tank
It is strongly recommended to keep empty thedegasser tank when thedegasser is not in use.

Degasser SWACO (refer to schematics ) :

It is a vacuum type degasser (800 gpm) emptied with an unloading jet. The installation of the skid
of the degasser must not exceed 0.9 m (3ft) from the normal operating mud level. The suction
and discharge piping are to be as straight as possible without elbows. Suction piping (8”) and
discharge piping (6”) should extend about 0.9m (3ft) below mud level.
The low pressure jet is generally 3”. The centrifugal pump required is typically a Mission 5x 6 -
1750 rpm fitted with a 10” impeller and a 75 hp motor with 110 ft of head.
The low pressure jet mud shall come from the last tank of the mud treatment (buffer tank) with a
back up from another pump with similar characteristics (desander, desilter).

Degasser BRANDT DG10(refer to schematics ) :

It is a vacuum type degasser (1000 gpm) emptied with an unloading jet. The gas cut mud is
pulled into the degasser by the vacuum pump suction (an 8” pipe must not exceed 1.5m / 5ft).
Piping should be as simple as possible to minimize friction losses.
The low pressure jet operates at 75 ft of head.

Degasser DRILCO SEE FLO(refer to schematics) :

It is an atmospheric type degasser filled by a submerged centrifugal pump (700gpm). The flow
through the pump depends on the submergence in the mud. For the best flow, the installation of
the unit is to be done as low in the pit as possible. The standard unit is designed for mud pits 2 m
deep. For deeper tanks (3 m), the “deep pit” model is provided.

4. Responsibilities
It is the responsibility of the TF piping Man in Charge and the TF Manager to ensure that the installation
of degassing systems is carried out according to the guidelines above, except when otherwise agreed
upon.

Only the pdf document available on the current SF Montrouge Web Server
-Engineering-path ENG Quality System/QualitySystemStructure/Part 3 :
Procedures/Project managementor URL : http://www.montrouge.sedco-forex.slb.com/quality/part3/rc/prrc38.pdf
- is the valid document
 Schlumberger Sedco Forex
Engineering Department

Authors : Ref.: RE-PR-RC-38

P. Sanchez / G.Courcol PROCESS CONTROL
Reviewed by: Page: 5 of 5
TF Managers / J.Estrade TASK FORCE Issued: 30 May 1997
Approved by PRM Section GENERAL SECIFICATIONS
Head : D.Brondel Revision: 01
DEGASSING SYSTEM INSTALLATION
DESILTER- MUD CLEANER INSTALLATION

5. References
This document refers to the section 4.4 “Design control” of the ISO 9001 standard. The following
references should be reviewed as necessary (latest revisions, except stated otherwise) :
. API 12J : Specification for sizing gas separator oil
. SIPM (“Shell” standard) pressure control manual EP 89-1500 - July 89
. Sedco Forex Q-HSE policies and Manual
. Mud solids’ control equipment tests carried out at Schlumberger Research Center in Cambridge
UK ( Feb 86)
. ENG piping standard ref. RE-PR-RC-20
. Degasser manufacturers installation and recommendations manuals

6. Distribution
Further to the availability of this document on the SFM Web server, a “working”uncontrolled hard
copy may be obtained from the ENG PRM Section Head or the Quality Manager.

7. Attachments
Drawing STD S 4801 sheets 6/9 to 9/9 : prints may be obtained upon request to the CAD group in ENG
Montrouge offices. The attached copies under “PDF” format may be superseded by new revisions : the
user shall make sure, as needed, of the validity of such attachments.

Only the pdf document available on the current SF Montrouge Web Server
-Engineering-path ENG Quality System/QualitySystemStructure/Part 3 :
Procedures/Project managementor URL : http://www.montrouge.sedco-forex.slb.com/quality/part3/rc/prrc38.pdf
- is the valid document