Originally published 3 April 2023.
An operator required modifications to the well test system on the Valaris MS-1 in preparation for a Timor Sea gas field drilling and completions campaign. ICON Engineering debottlenecked the procedures and well test systems on the operator’s contracted drilling rig in the Timor Sea.
Why Well Test System Debottlenecking Matters
Debottlenecking a well test system before a drilling and completions campaign begins is about finding and fixing the constraints — undersized piping, valve arrangements, or procedural steps — that would otherwise slow down or limit flow rates once the rig is on location and the campaign is under way. Catching these issues onshore, or during a planned rig upgrade window, is far cheaper and lower-risk than discovering them mid-campaign, when any rework competes directly with the rig’s operating schedule. This kind of work sits within ICON’s broader Drilling, Completions & Well Test Support capability.
Riserless Mud Recovery: What the Upgrade Included
The upgrade scope included a Riserless Mud Recovery (RMR) system. RMR systems are typically used during top-hole drilling sections, before a riser is run, to capture and return drilling fluid and cuttings from around the wellhead rather than discharging them directly to the seabed — reducing environmental impact and allowing mud to be recovered and reused rather than lost. Integrating equipment like this into an existing rig’s systems is exactly the kind of interface engineering covered under ICON’s MODU & Vessel Modifications capability.
The upgrades were completed safely and without delay to the rig’s operations programme — another successful project delivered by a team drawn from both the client and ICON’s engineering, drafting, and operations staff and contractors. Contact ICON if you have any questions.
