The Monday crowds at this year's OTC were unusually strong. In past years, Tuesday attendance has predominated, largely due to the influx of visitors from Louisiana. But this year, OTC got off to a jump-start with throngs of attendees crowding the exhibition, almost from the opening bell. No doubt many took advantage of electronic registration, thus avoiding the long lines of the past. Thus, I was pleasantly surprised at the packed house on Monday morning for Cooper Cameron Corporation's (CCC) new technology offerings. Visitors crowded the CCC booth and spilled out into the aisles to hear Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Sheldon Erikson introduce a program titled, "The Edge is Innovation," the latest new ideas from CCC's operating divisions: Cameron, Cooper-Cameron Valves and Cooper Compression.

Cooper Compression's VP of Engineering and Product Development John Bartos introduced the MSG Alpha Centrifugal Gas Processor. This new 1,250 hp, 1,200 psi compressor features an unusually small footprint for such a powerful machine, making it ideal for tight spaces on offshore production platforms. According to Bartos, the MSG Alpha's design makes it virtually vibration free, contributing to long life and high reliability. "The design includes fewer moving parts than traditional compressors," Bartos said. "And our flexible seal system completely separates lubricating oil from the compressed gas making the MSG Alpha environmentally friendly." The compressor can be used for fuel gas boosting, gas processing, landfill gas recovery, pipeline boosting and syngas recycling.

Jason Broussard, marketing manager for Cooper Cameron Valves, launched the ActraCam Actuator. This is a full line of precision high-pressure natural gas powered rotary actuators and controls that complement the company's established line of ball valves. The actuator provides a torque-matched helical cam sized to valve requirements. ActraCam mounts directly on top of the ball valve housing, and employs the same travel stops of the field proved Cameron ball valve. "The new design incorporates several key features," Broussard explained. "Its modular control system has user-friendly controls, it is easy to install and service and it is friendly to the environment because it does not vent to the atmosphere." A patented recirculation system recycles the power-gas, scrubbing it of any oil vapors before it is released.

Introducing CameronDC, an all-new electric subsea production system from Cameron Division, Mark Crews, vice president of technology, said, "Up till now, subsea production has relied on hydraulics and electro-hydraulic controls to actuate valves. As production moves into deeper waters and greater distances from the host facility, these become less efficient." The new system eliminates troublesome hydraulics and electro-hydraulics, enhancing reliability and uptime availability, according to Crews. "CameronDC is intended to provide more than 99% uptime," he said. "Over the life of a typical 24-well field, this could save the operator well over [US] $100 million."

In an exclusive interview, Erikson pointed out that the new technology was targeted as much at Brownfield developments as Greenfield developments. He explained how its reliability and flexibility positively impacts production economics. "For example, the CameronDC allows step outs as far as 120 miles (193 km)," he said. "And it is designed to mate with our field-proven Spool Tree wellheads that are now licensed to all of our competitors." While not specifically designed for retrofit, the implication was clear that there are many opportunities to install CameronDC to upgrade existing facilities. "This system is protected by 35 patents," explained Erikson. "And it will integrate perfectly with intelligent well system technology." Erikson concluded by sharing his belief that the worldwide subsea development trend will continue to build. "Subsea demands high reliability and production uptime," he said. "These products deliver it."

True to the theme of the 2004 OTC, "Innovation without limits," Cameron divisions have demonstrated their commitment to improvement through continuous technology development. Three divisions, three new products - a technology trifecta.

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