The UK’s first open-access downhole test facility allowing subsea equipment providers access to onshore real-world testing has been launched.
The facility – developed by fluid engineering specialist BHR – is the first of its kind in the UK, providing an easily-accessible, secure, onshore environment that accurately reproduces downhole conditions.
It will give organisations independent data to prove their technologies and demonstrate the capability of their components and systems, according to BHR.
The downhole test facility – at BHR Group’s site in Cranfield – can be utilised by organisations for product development and qualification testing of downhole equipment, such as pumping equipment, jet pumps, separators, instrumentation, and drilling fluids.
With the capacity to achieve 40bar at the base of the well, BHR’s facility can simulate a 400m fluid depth with representative well conditions for development, performance and reliability testing of components and systems.
It is able to test with a variety of fluids in single or multiphase flow at elevated pressure and temperature for extended durations.
The facility incorporates accurate, high speed measurements of downhole pressure, temperature and flow, ensuring that product performance can be mapped under a range of conditions and providing a comprehensive equipment testing capability.
Dr Carl Wordsworth, senior consultant at BHR Group, said: “This facility is set to be a game changer for many subsea equipment providers, whose customers are conducting deeper E&P than ever before, putting increasing pressure on the reliability of the products being used.”