
Our proprietary simulation technology predicts variations in downhole pressure ("surge & swab") and other parameters, induced by waves during drilling and completion operations carried out from floating rigs. This helps managing risks related to breaching well pressure margins or damaging downhole tools as well as reducing non-productive time.
VALUE PROPOSITION
- Reduce NPT by optimizing heave limits based on properties of YOUR well
- Reduce costs by tripping faster (optimized tripping speed throughout the well)
- Manage risk through early warning possible breach of well pressure margins

LOWER COSTS
SAFER DRILLING
LESS NPT
Less mud losses means lower drilling costs
Less waiting on weather in offshore drilling
Safer drilling operations with less emissions
Read about our surge & swab simulation services
PROBLEM

When the drill pipe is put in slips during break-out or connection of the next stand, the topside heave compensation of the drill string is disabled. The whole drill string starts to move up and down with the rig. Same thing happens when running liners/casings or installing completions.
HEAVING DOWNWARDS
When drill string, liner/casing or completion moves downwards, there is a sudden increase in downhole pressure ("surge"), which can surpass fracture pressure and severely damage the well impairing its future productivity.
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HEAVING UPWARDS
When drill string, liner/casing or completion moves upwards, there is a sudden decrease in downhole pressure ("swab"). If downhole pressure falls below the pore pressure hydrocarbons can start flowing into the wellbore. If downhole pressure falls below hole collapse limit the well section can collapse.
TECHNOLOGY
Drill-I™

Our advanced simulation software is able to calculate anticipated bottom-hole surge & swab during drill pipe connections based on such inputs as rig type, drilling fluid data and well trajectory and geometry. Utilizing statistical data analysis for weather on a drilling location, we are able to provide an estimate of surge & swab pressure margins for your well.

Using our surge & swab simulations it is possible to determine a precise dynamic rig heave limit based on how much surge & swab your well can tolerate, not how much heave and waves the drilling rig you use can tolerate. This information will make you prepared for mud losses or kicks and can save weeks of NPT.
SERVICES
Dynamic rig heave limits and dynamic running speeds for well planning
- Precise calculations of maximum allowed rig heave for drilling and completion phases based on surge & swab during drill pipe connections and your well's pressure envelope or limitations of tools in the string.
Operability studies for floating rigs in harsh weather
- Rig limitations are well-known, but do you know how much rig heave your wells can take? We can calculate rig operability tailored to your wells.
Custom cost-efficient downhole simulation services, tailored to your needs
- Our simulator provides detailed flow and pressure maps throughout the well as variations in these variables are induced by rig heave.
Surge & swab simulations are available now –
get in touch with us for an offer!
HISTORY
LIBRARY
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Presentation at the SPE/IADC Drilling Conference and Exhibition (virtual) in March 2021
- The title of the presentation was "Determination of Dynamic Limits for Rig Heave and Running Speed Based on Drilling Parameters, Well Data and Completion Tool Limitations - Case Studies" and this paper is co-authored by Norske Shell and OMV. We present novel methodology for how to utilize rig heave limit in drilling & well operations and case studies from two wells in Norway. SPE-204023.
Presentation at the SPE/IADC MPD Conference and Exhibition (virtual) in October 2020
- The title of the presentation was "Significant Surge and Swab Offshore Brazil Induced by Rig Heave During Drill Pipe Connections" and the paper was presented by John-Morten Godhavn (Equinor). We simulated surge & swab during connections when drilling pre-salt reservoir section of a well on the Bacalhau field. Surge & swab magnitude was comparable to what we earlier recorded in the North Sea at higher rig heave. This can be explained by very long vertical trajectory of the well offering little friction to hold the drill string in place during connections. SPE-200518. The paper was also published in the SPE Drilling & Completion Journal.
Presentation at the SPE One Day Seminar (Bergen, Norway) in May 2019
- The title of the presentation was "Flow Loop Trial of an Autonomous Downhole Choke for Compensation of Rig Heave-Induced Surge & Swab" and the paper was co-authored by Techni, NTNU and Equinor. SPE-196641.
Presentation at the SPE Workshop on Innovative Arctic Technologies (Harstad, Norway) in March 2019
- The title of the presentation was "Influence of Well Geometry, Weather Conditions and Rig Type on Surge & Swab During Drill Pipe Connections in the Barents Sea" and the paper was co-authored by OMV, Vår Energi, NTNU and Equinor.
Presentation at the SPE/IADC Drilling Conference and Exhibition (The Hague, The Netherlands) in March 2019
- The title of the presentation was "Verification of Downhole Choke Technology in a Simulator Using Data from a North Sea Well" and the paper was co-authored by NTNU and Equinor. SPE-194143, also published in the SPE Drilling & Completion Journal. https://bit.ly/2lmO4wV
White paper on the HeaveLock™ autonomous downhole tool published in SPE The First in August 2018
- This paper described the downhole choking concept and its utilization as an enabler for implementation of MPD on floating rigs in harsh weather environment.
Presentation at the SPE/IADC Drilling Conference and Exhibition (Houston, USA) in April 2018
- The title of the presentation was "Attenuating Heave-Induced Pressure Oscillations using Automated Down-hole Choking" and the paper was co-authored by NTNU, Techni and Equinor. SPE-189657.
FIND US
Visitor Address:
Havnegata 7
7010 Trondheim
Norway
Postal Address:
Heavelock Solutions AS
Postboks 1284 Torgard
7462 Trondheim
Norway
Tel: +47 481 40 339
CLIENTS






MARTIN
KVERNLAND
Co-Founder and CEO
MSc in Cybernetics from the NTNU and business studies at BI. More than 10 years of experience within oil & gas projects. Prior to joining Heavelock AS Martin had worked 8 years for Norwegian oilfield service company Reinertsen with maintenance and modifications on the Norwegian Continental Shelf.

DMITRI
GORSKI
Co-Founder and CTO
PhD in Process Technology and MBA in Technology Management. Background from various technical, project and operational roles with Norske Skog, Reinertsen, BRI Cleanup and Equinor in Norway and abroad. Considerable offshore experience from NCS, South-China Sea and offshore Brasil.