Houston, November 28, 2000
Weatherford International, Inc.’s (NYSE: WFT) Completion Systems Division today announced that it successfully has completed the world’s longest Expandable Sand Screen (ESS) installation for Shell’s Southern North Sea Brigantine development in the UK Continental Shelf. This achievement further extends the boundaries and opportunities for expandables technology applications.
A total of 4,000ft (1,219 meters) of 4-inch, 230 micron filter ESS was installed and expanded in the 6” horizontal section of the Brigantine “B” gas-producing well with a TD of 15,046 ft md. It was expanded initially with a 4.750" OD Retrievable Fixed Expansion Cone. The ESS was then further expanded with a Compliant Rotary Expansion Tool (5.250” Max OD) to achieve full borehole contact with the screen over the reservoir section. Expansion time was 12 hours in each of the two runs.
This application used three important and proprietary Weatherford technologies: 1) ESS, which secured sand control screens, stabilized the borehole and enabled numerous production benefits. 2) the newly launched Compliant Rotary Expansion System (CRES), which is designed for all expansion applications and which specifically addressed the issues in the Brigantine development of expansion in irregular boreholes and dramatically reduced the required weight on bit (important in long horizontal sections). 3) A 5½ x 7-inch Weatherford CPD liner hanger/packer, a product with a large bore that easily allows the passage of the retrievable fixed expansion cones and was used to anchor the ESS in the 7-inch casing. The Brigantine development also pulled upon a wide array of other Weatherford Completion and Drilling products and services.
According to Shell, “ESS was chosen since it provides larger borehole size and maximizes deliverability. It also offers excellent opportunities for remedial shut-off activities. The success of Brigantine ESS installation and expansion was realized by the close co-operation that flourished between the Brigantine Well Delivery Team, Shell X-Well Technology Group, Weatherford, Shell Management and all the service providers / contractors. Initial well clean up data showed production performance some 30% above expectation.”
The second well in the development (Brigantine A) is due to be completed in January 2001. The reservoir section of this well will be up to 7,000 feet and will be similarly completed with ESS. Another two wells in the field are planned later in 2001, both of which will require sand exclusion.
Houston-based Weatherford International, Inc. (www.weatherford.com) is one of the largest global providers of innovative mechanical solutions, technologies and services for the drilling and production sectors of the oil and gas industry. Weatherford operates in more than 50 countries and employs approximately 10,000 people worldwide.
Contacts:
Christine McGee 713-693-4362
This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 concerning, among other things, Weatherford's prospects for its operations and the integration of recent acquisitions, all of which are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. These risks and uncertainties, which are more fully described in Weatherford International, Inc.'s Annual, Quarterly and Current Reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, include the impact of oil and natural gas prices and worldwide economic conditions on drilling activity, the demand and pricing of Weatherford's products, as well as the ability to achieve the anticipated synergies and savings from the recent merger between EVI, Inc. and Weatherford Enterra, Inc. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should the assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material aspects from those currently anticipated.
Weatherford International, Inc.
515 Post Oak Blvd, Suite 600
Houston, Texas 77027
713-693-4000