Balance Point Control Ltd. (BPC), a Superior Energy Services, Inc. company, has developed the innovative Concentric Snubbing Unit- 160 (CSU – 160) rig assist snubbing unit. The new CSU-160 is the first fully remote-operated snubbing unit on the market.
Furthermore, BPC built a complete Zone-1 electric-driven hydraulic powerpack with four separate drive banks which sets a new safety standard in the industry as this minimizes personnel exposure to pressurized hydraulic lines. The CSU-160 sits through the rotary table leaving the rig floor clear for operations without any limitations by installed snubbing equipment.
The controls and valves of the CSU-160 are located in the Master Control Unit (MCU) on the main deck. Connected to the MCU are two exclusive interlocking systems for the slipbowls and strippers. The interlock system for the slipbowls have modes for heavy, light or in balance and prevents the traveler and stationary slipbowls from opening simultaneously. The other interlock prevents the strippers from opening when there is pressure differential. There is a replica of the MCU Main Control Panel in the Driller’s Cabin containing the interlock system, three HMI computer screens used to monitor hydraulic pressures and a dual computer that serves as a backup “shadow” system.