Oil and gas exploration has taken producers to increasing depths offshore and locations onshore once thought impossible. Many well projects slated for exploration in the near future are expected to commonly see bottom hole temperatures (BHTs) exceeding 350°F (177°C) and bottom hole pressures (BHPs) between 69 and 103 MPa (10,000 and 15,000 psi), or higher. What was once thought impossible is proving to be a complex but exciting environment for exploration.
When Precision Is Critical
Formation-evaluation tools, exploratory drilling tools, and logging tools must all hold up to high pressure, high temperature (HPHT) conditions. Logging and testing tools, drilling muds and stimulations fluids are only exposed to HPHT conditions for a short period of time, whereas packers, reservoir monitoring equipment and cement systems must hold up in HPHT conditions for the life of the well. This illustrates the criticality of precision, engineered components made from high-performance plastics and elastomers.
Preventing A Catastrophic Failure
Many of the tools in oil and gas exploration utilize sealing elements. Sealing elements are one of the components most vulnerable to failure in the drilling of exploratory wells. Leaks at the seal surfaces or joints can lead to flooding or catastrophic failure of critical tooling. Prior to use, tooling and equipment may sit in a warehouse with temperatures well below freezing; however, once in service, they must hold up to bottom hole temperatures (BHT) well exceeding 350°F (177°C). This makes the selection of proper sealing materials and elements an essential ingredient to optimizing tool performance. We work closely with producers, tool manufacturers and service companies to design and manufacture HPHT, zero leakage seals and bearings that minimize risk and perform beyond expectations.
We understand what is at stake in oil and gas exploration: the financial risks, as well as the safety and environmental issues.
- Thermal
- Chemical
- Mechanical
Engineered Solutions for Exploration Applications
While well conditions are growing increasingly hostile, tool manufacturers are pushing the limits of current technology. To survive, products must be reliable – requiring repeatable manufacturing and advanced engineering. We manufacture components that go into a variety of systems used in oil and gas exploration including:
- Logging units
- Slick line tools
- Open hole logging tools
- Cased hole logging tools
- Seismic Tools and Guns
- Drilling Motors
- ROV