--- title: How Can Tailormade XMT Handling Systems Improve Your NPT description: Learn how to optimize the efficiency of the XMT operations and make your rig more attractive in the market for a relatively modest investment. image: https://blog.future-production.no/hubfs/tailor%20made%20XMT%20handling%20system.png --- [![FutureProductions_Logo-white](https://blog.future-production.no/hubfs/FutureProductions_Logo-white.svg "FutureProductions_Logo-white")](https://future-production.no/) - [Products](https://future-production.no/products/) - [Highlights](https://future-production.no/highlights/) - [About us](https://future-production.no/about-us/) - [News](https://future-production.no/general-information/) - [Insights](https://blog.future-production.no) - [Contact](https://future-production.no/about-us/contact/) # How Can Tailormade XMT Handling Systems Improve Your NPT [By Øystein Christensen](https://blog.future-production.no/author/øystein-christensen) December 17, 2021 - - - A lot of rigs have limited and/or very generic handling systems for XMTs. This is far from optimal and often results in inefficient handling including a higher degree of manual work with several safety issues. Not surprisingly, such activities are related to NPT.   *Last modified: 23. April 2026* ## Weather Limitations Imagine that you are going to skid a XMT Stack while the rig is in motion. You need to consider:   - When to pause/continue skidding with rig motion - Degree of manual work required - Known bottlenecks and mitigation options - Operability with roll, pitch, and heave - Need for upgrades to meet weather limits and reduce NPT **Every task has a weather limitation, as well as a time span**. Consequently, one main contributor to NPT is harsh weather. Without proper XMT handling systems, the operations become more sensitive to weather, creating a high risk for unpredictable stops and long periods of downtime. *[![New call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/14562745/a5f959e2-ad6f-42e3-bcf0-986c311ec852.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/14562745/a5f959e2-ad6f-42e3-bcf0-986c311ec852)*   ## Tailormade XMT Handling Systems You may consider investing in standard XMT handling systems to reduce NPT. However, as every rig is different, standard handling systems will not release the rig’s full potential.   > In order to optimize the efficiency of the XMT operations, it is crucial to examine the rig\`s specific infrastructure, conditions and characteristics. With those factors established, the XMT handling system can be designed accordingly.   This engineering process ensures that you have all the lifting/handling capacities needed, avoiding temporary arrangements. As a result, less/no manual work is required, and the time required for the operation can potentially be reduced with several days.   An ideal and efficient XMT Handling System consist of:   - (Retrofit) flush-mounted skidding deck - Several bilateral skids - Stack-up guiding system - Overhull and underhull guiding systems This enables the rig to have several XMT\`s, a Tree Running Tool and required transport and test-skids onboard.   > The rig can then stack, test, run and retrieve the XMT Stack or Workover Stack with all lifting operations secured and guided horizontally preventing any hazards for personnel and equipment. It is furthermore very important to design the system so it can handle all relevant XMT units from different suppliers such as; FMC, Aker, Cameron, Baker Hughes etc. The flush-mounted skidding deck will provide 100% deck space once the XMT campaign is finished. Safe handling and guiding systems for lifting the units from the supply vessel to the rig and vice versa is also important. Having an optimal and complete XMT Handling System, will save time and reduce risk considerably. The time saved will vary from a few hours to several hours depending on rig layout and equipment. In some cases, days can also be saved since the operations can be performed in rougher weather conditions as opposed to waiting on weather   Suggested reading: [The Effect Moonpool Handling Systems Have on Operational Efficiency](https://blog.future-production.no/the-effect-moonpool-handling-systems-have-on-operational-efficiency)     ## The Importance of Guiding & Arresting In order to be able to complete XMT operations in a safe and efficient manner it is important to ensure:   - Proper fixation when the equipment is not in use - Proper guiding when you are going to stack, test and deploy it - Smooth transition with limited rigging when moving stacks from one position to another. In order to accomplish the above there are some main handling systems that every rig should have:   1. Flushmounted skidding deck 2. Bilateral skids 3. Stack Up Guide for stacking the units on top of each other with guiding 4. XMT Trolley / Skid in moonpool 5. Guiding systems (overhull & underhull) 6. Arrest and seafastening systems The rig also need to arrange the Workover Control System (WOCS), Umbilcal Reels and sheaves and utilities for efficient running and control of the XMT Operations.     ### Arrest Systems Today, the XMT stack-ups are considerably higher than they used to be. As such, skidding these stacks into the moonpool can be a dangerous operation, particularly when the rig is in motion induced by waves and wind forces. It is therefore very common for rig operations to be negatively affected or halted, due to weather conditions.   > However, this can be avoided by investing in systems that are able to arrest and secure the high stacks, both in a parked position and whilst skidding. > > ![Bilde1](https://blog.future-production.no/hs-fs/hubfs/Bilde1.png?width=324&name=Bilde1.png)   In other words, with robust arrest systems, NPT can be reduced substantially as you are able to operate with considerable rig motion, without putting people at risk.   All rigs have some sort of XMT handling systems enabling moving the XMT from parked position to the well centre and back. However, these basic systems may be inadequately engineered resulting in uncompetitive handling sequences.   With tailor-made handling systems, such challenges can often be considered achievable, resulting in a more efficient and attractive rig.   Such systems represent a modest investment with high returns, but need to be engineered by teams both understanding moonpool operations as well as equipment design. Higher Stacks   ### Guiding Systems When a BOP or XMT is lifted off the skid on a floating rig, they tend to begin moving horizontally. In order to maintain control of the XMT motion in a safe manner, an overhull guiding system is required to properly arrest the stack in place. This is also required during stacking and testing prior to skidding the stack to well centre and running it. However, such guiding systems are not standard on all rigs, it is therefore common for some rigs to have inadequate systems, or do not have such systems installed at all.   > Without such systems in place, teams try to arrest the motions by using tugger winches, wires and snatch blocks, often creating hazardous situations to people and equipment. Rig operations have to wait for acceptable weather conditions in order to perform the operation Considering that this specific operation is normally executed 2-4 times per well, there is thus a adequate and considerable potential for saving time and cost by investing in guiding systems.   [Learn more about Future Production BOP/XMT handling and guiding equipment here. ](https://future-production.no/product-category/bopxmt-handling/)   ## Conclusion In order to optimize the efficiency of the XMT operations, it is crucial to examine the rig\`s specific infrastructure, conditions and characteristics. With those factors established, skilled engineers with relevant operational and product competence can design and deliver an efficient and safe XMT handling system., making your rig more attractive in the market for a relatively modest investment.   ![tailor made XMT handling system](https://blog.future-production.no/hs-fs/hubfs/tailor%20made%20XMT%20handling%20system.png?width=597&name=tailor%20made%20XMT%20handling%20system.png) A typical tailor made XMT Handling System     [![New call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/14562745/f0bb95ea-aa79-4e5c-9b63-5abc719bf947.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/14562745/f0bb95ea-aa79-4e5c-9b63-5abc719bf947) [All posts](https://blog.future-production.no) ###### About Author [Øystein Christensen](https://blog.future-production.no/author/øystein-christensen) With over 37 years of experience within offshore drilling technology, Øystein offers insights that can help you optimise your rig performance. His expertise is to optimize operational design and being able to see beyond standard solutions, understanding the specific infrastructure, conditions and movements of each individual rig. ##### SUBMIT YOUR COMMENT ### Subscribe ##### Subscribe to our blog and stay updated: [![FutureProductions_Logo-white](https://blog.future-production.no/hubfs/FutureProductions_Logo-white.svg "FutureProductions_Logo-white")](https://future-production.no/)   Tailor made products and solutions for the offshore industry. ##### Menu - [Products](https://future-production.no/products/) - [Highlights](https://future-production.no/highlights/) - [About us](https://future-production.no/about-us/) - [News](https://future-production.no/general-information/) - [Insights](https://blog.future-production.no) - [Contact](https://future-production.no/about-us/contact/) ##### Subscibe Want notifications sent directly to your mailbox? - Subscribe ##### Future Production AS Svanedamsveien 10 4621 Kristiansand Norway - Contact HQ: - [Phone: +47 38 00 20 90](Tel:004738002090) - [E-mail: post@f-p.no](mail:post@f-p.no) Future Production AS ©2026. All rights reserved. ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://blog.future-production.no/how-can-tailored-fitted-xmt-handling-systems-improve-your-npt#article", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "about" : [ { "@type" : "Thing", "name" : "XMT Handling System" }, { "@type" : "Thing", "name" : "Non-Productive Time (NPT)" }, { "@type" : "Thing", "name" : "Moonpool Operations" }, { "@type" : "Thing", "name" : "Guiding Systems" }, { "@type" : "Thing", "name" : "Arrest Systems" } ], "alternativeHeadline" : "Reduce NPT with tailored XMT handling systems", "articleSection" : [ "Weather Limitations", "Tailormade XMT Handling Systems", "The Importance of Guiding & Arresting", "Arrest Systems", "Guiding Systems", "Conclusion" ], "audience" : [ { "@type" : "BusinessAudience", "audienceType" : "Rig managers" }, { "@type" : "BusinessAudience", "audienceType" : "Technical managers" } ], "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "affiliation" : { "@type" : "Organization", "name" : "Future Production AS" }, "name" : "Øystein Christensen" }, "citation" : [ "https://blog.future-production.no/the-effect-moonpool-handling-systems-have-on-operational-efficiency" ], "dateModified" : "2025-09-24T09:00:00+02:00", "datePublished" : "2021-12-17T09:00:00+01:00", "description" : "Why standard XMT handling often leads to NPT—and how tailored guiding and arrest systems, bilateral skids and flush-mounted skidding decks improve safety and operational efficiency for floating rigs.", "headline" : "How Can Tailormade XMT Handling Systems Improve Your NPT", "image" : [ "https://blog.future-production.no/hs-fs/hubfs/tailor%20made%20XMT%20handling%20system.png?name=tailor+made+XMT+handling+system.png&width=1200", "https://blog.future-production.no/hs-fs/hubfs/Bilde1.png?name=Bilde1.png&width=1200" ], "inLanguage" : "en", "isAccessibleForFree" : true, "keywords" : [ "XMT", "Xmas Tree", "moonpool", "non-productive time", "NPT reduction", "guiding system", "arrest system", "bilateral skids", "flush-mounted skidding deck", "WOCS", "offshore drilling", "rig optimization" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.future-production.no/how-can-tailored-fitted-xmt-handling-systems-improve-your-npt", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.future-production.no/hubfs/FutureProductions_Logo-white.svg" }, "name" : "Future Production AS", "url" : "https://www.future-production.no" } } ```