Weatherford Collaborates with US Synthetic to Optimize Deepwater Drilling Reamer

April 30, 2017
RipTide® RFID Drilling Reamer with Deep Diamond™ Cutters Improves Performance in Abrasive Deepwater Formations

HOUSTON, May 1, 2017 – Today at the 2017 Offshore Technology Conference, Weatherford International plc announced the commercial release of a premium version of the RipTide RFID drilling reamer that incorporates advanced cutter technology.

The RipTide RFID drilling reamer is a proven tool that has been deployed in deepwater fields throughout the world. After encountering especially abrasive formations in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico, Weatherford approached US Synthetic, a leading provider of polycrystalline diamond cutters for the oil and gas industry, to explore new solutions for reaming operations in these fields.

As a result of this collaboration, Weatherford and US Synthetic each developed innovative proprietary technologies. Weatherford developed the ReamSync™ borehole enlargement performance system, which includes a predictive cutter and formation interaction software used in the design of cutter blocks. Concurrently, US Synthetic developed Deep Diamond™ cutters with improved thermal stability. Applied together, these technologies yielded an enhanced RipTide reamer that has demonstrated improved performance in highly abrasive formations in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico.

“By combining our technical expertise with the knowledge of another technology leader in our industry, we are able to innovate with products that deliver maximum value to operators,” said Etienne Roux, Vice President of Drilling Services at Weatherford.

“This project presented a great opportunity for us to collaborate with a service company to optimize system design for a specific field application,” said Rob Galloway, CEO of US Synthetic. “We are pleased with the results of this collaboration. Working closely on specific needs in the field is the key to delivering real value.”

About Weatherford

Weatherford is one of the largest multinational oilfield service companies providing innovative solutions, technology and services to the oil and gas industry. The Company operates in over 90 countries and has a network of approximately 880 locations, including manufacturing, service, research and development, and training facilities and employs approximately 29,500 people. For more information, visit www.weatherford.com and connect with Weatherford on LinkedInFacebookTwitter and YouTube.

About US Synthetic

US Synthetic, a Dover Company (NYSE: DOV), is the leading provider of polycrystalline diamond cutters (PDCs) and diamond bearing technology for the energy industry and oil and gas exploration. Thanks to constant innovation, proven quality, and superior customer service, more of the world's energy suppliers rely on US Synthetic than any other PDC manufacturer. US Synthetic has spent decades engineering its products to last longer—especially in tough conditions that test the limits of the most durable energy exploration and drilling equipment. For more information about US Synthetic, visit www.ussynthetic.com. For more information about US Synthetic Deep Diamond cutter technology, visit www.ussynthetic.com/deepdiamond.

Weatherford Contact

Kelley Hughes, Director of Corporate Communications, Kelley.Hughes@Weatherford.com

US Synthetic Contact

Marc Modersitzki, Marketing Communications, +1.801.369.8253, marc@ussynthetic.com