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Due to the increase of market rise, there has never been a better time to make sure your equipment is ready to perform.

While rigs are out of service across the country, risers are being stored and regular maintenance is being oftentimes deferred. Several drillers are only performing necessary maintenance when work levels increase; however, without proper planning, we caution operators could face delays getting their risers back up to par. 

Here are some of the things to consider when planning and budgeting for riser maintenance.

Planning now will save time and prevent unnecessary delays later.

Many factors, without proper planning, can result in cost increases and delays. We see a growth in demand for riser inspections as rigs go back to work. Our customers are encouraged to communicate with us about planned work so that we can anticipate and prepare for the upcoming workload. Recertification is required for risers that have not been inspected in over five years. The recertification process can take up to thirty (30) days to complete. In most cases, parts and pieces will need to be ordered and may not be in stock, which can result in additional delays getting your riser back in service. 

As your riser service provider, together, we can plan and budget for these inspections now and mitigate delays.

The first step is knowing the condition of your riser.

Riser issues may include damage to riser or flanges, pins, boxes, main tube, the auxiliary lines or floatation modules.

It’s imperative to ensure your riser auxiliary line retainers and nuts are maintained properly by making sure they have been removed, lubed and reset to the proper line gap. The nuts can become seized with corrosion due to the saltwater environment if these components are not properly maintained. This can lead to issues when they must be removed for routine repairs or completely disassembled for 10-year inspections. Stuck nuts on risers call for subcontractors using special tools to remove them, or at worst, they will need to be cut off, which can lead to more significant expenses.

Qualified personnel who inspect risers can usually identify potential issues during a visual inspection. These visual inspections offer the ability to budget for upcoming maintenance ahead of time and schedule accordingly. 

How can you be sure you properly budgeted for riser maintenance?

The riser is a key component to your operations. A failure at the riser can result to catastrophic effects. At no cost to our clients, we will look at your riser condition and evaluate potential exposure. We will send a Level II Inspector to your rig or storage facility to provide a basic visual condition assessment. Our inspector will observe the risers to determine the level at which they have been maintained. We have the ability to offer you an expert opinion of your equipment and then work with you to approach any needed repairs from the most efficient and economical standpoint. We can also help you build your budget for the next year. 

The riser is a key component to operations and failure at the riser can lead to catastrophic effects. Preparing for riser maintenance is not something that should wait until the last minute. Getting ahead of the curve can be particularly cost-effective. We can certainly assure that your investment and forward planning will pay off in the future.