VAM® 21 Success in StatoilHydro First Commercial Run

4 years after launching the first generation of VAM® connections, VAM® 4th generation T&C premium connection VAM® 21 was successfully run as a first commercial deployment for StatoilHydro offshore Norway, May 13th, 2009.

277 joints (3426 m) of 10 3/4”, 60.7#, SM13CrS110 (Super 13%CR 110ksi) and P110 were run trouble free incurring zero reject.

VAM® 21 co-developed by Sumitomo Metals and Vallourec Mannesmann is ISO 13679 CAL-IV qualified within the full pipe body VME envelope. VAM® 21 launches a new area where well engineers can design based on pipe performances rather than connection limitations.

This order was manufactured in Sumitomo Metals Wakayama plant under its usual stringent quality control. The running was carried on the “Grane” field offshore platform located 185 km from Bergen, Norway. In compliance with Norwegian regulations, this operation was carried out using a remote controlled automated make-up procedure. An average running speed of 12 joints per hour was achieved with a maximum recorded speed of 15 joints per hour, incurring zero reject, damage or cross threading. StatoilHydro’s well tubular technology advisor was very satisfied with this trial and commented: “thanks to all involved in this world-first deployment of VAM® 21, which is clearly a candidate for next generation threaded & coupled casing connection for StatoilHydro”.