Magnetic swarf system saves rig space, cuts handling costs

Overview

A major UK North Sea operator faced constraints on a jack-up rig with limited deck space and a tight execution budget. To improve efficiency, the operator needed to reduce the footprint of swarf waste management equipment, maximize swarf and milling fluid recovery, and minimize manual handling.

Halliburton deployed the BaraMag swarf separation and recovery unit to meet these goals. It enabled the operator to reclaim valuable rig space, improve fluid reuse, and reduce the volume of waste requiring onshore remediation.

Challenge

The operator faced limited deck space and needed to reduce the equipment footprint. The team prioritized swarf recovery, milling fluid reuse, and manual labor reduction. These goals required a compact, high-efficiency solution that maintained safety and operational integrity.

Solution

The BaraSolve^® engineering team designed a swarf recovery package tailored to the rig’s constraints. The solution included a flow head in the rotary table and an inspection hatch for return checks. Halliburton installed a scalper at the BaraMag® swarf separation and recovery unit inlet to remove swarf and debris and added a polishing magnet box at the outlet to capture residual particles. The solution reclaimed rig space, improved recovery rates, and reduced manual labor.

Result

The BaraMag swarf separation and recovery unit removed up to 95% of swarf at the source. Polishing magnets captured an additional 3% and improved fluid quality. The system reduced manual labor and improved safety. Halliburton supported 27 well completions and removed 377.45 metric tons of swarf.