First Subsea Ball and Taper technology for Canrig SureGrip™ Automated Casing Running Tool

23 June 2010

Mooring connector company, First Subsea Ltd has been awarded a contract by Canrig Drilling Technology Ltd to supply ball and taper connectors for the new SureGrip™ automated casing running tool used during drilling operations. The ball and taper technology provides both the gripping / handling function and rotational torque for the threaded pipe sections, specifically casing, during rig operations.

First Subsea's Ballgrab ball and taper works on the simple principle of a ball engaged in a taper. As the SureGrip™ is lowered on to the pipe end, the balls roll down tapers and grip the outer wall of the pipe in direct proportion to the load applied.

The SureGrip™ CRT marks a significant advance in the efficiency and safety of casing operations by reducing manual handling, equipment and personnel needed during casing operations. Moreover using the ball and taper, multi-point grip has been shown to minimise damage to the pipe casing and overcomes technical and load limits of traditional die slips. Sharp indents from die teeth are eliminated as well, reducing potential casing failure methods later in wellbore life.

“We are delighted that Canrig Drilling Technology Ltd has chosen to use Ballgrab ball and taper technology for their innovative SureGrip™ CRT. The ball and taper gripping mechanism is well proven in some of the most demanding offshore mooring and connector applications, so it is pleasing to see it now being applied to drilling operations,” said Brian Green, general manager, First Subsea Ltd.