Deep Casing Tools secures UK patent for drilling innovation

A UK patent has been granted for new technology which can almost half the cost for extended reach drilling (ERD) well liner installations. Patents are also pending in Europe, the USA, Canada, UAE and Saudi Arabia.

Deep Casing Tool’s (DCT) MechLOK Drill Pipe Swivel (DPS) is the industry’s first mechanical DPS, and helps overcome ERD challenges by allowing operators to deploy completions into longer and more complex well trajectories.

ERD is used by operators to develop assets more efficiently by maximising reservoir exposure to a single wellbore, and enabling access to all planned reserves that would otherwise be uneconomic and difficult to reach.

As operators search for oil in new, complex areas, advanced technology is needed to combat several common difficulties associated with ERD including high drag and torque. The MechLOK DPS can be run on any string where potential problems exist in reaching Target Depth (TD) because of frictional issues, typically in long, horizontal extended reach drilling.

It enables the rotation of the drill pipe above the liner in an ERD well, reducing drag, redistributing friction and mitigating helical buckling of the work-string. It also increases the available weight to push completions and liners to TD in ERD wells, whilst ensuring safety and cost efficiency.

The MechLOK DPS can be instantly locked and prevented from swivelling using a simple, mechanical manipulation of the drill-string. Once locked, the tool can be rotated to the right or left, in compression or in tension.

“DCT’s business is providing unique technology for our global customers and this is another example of simple innovation which will make their operations safer while saving time and money,” said David Stephenson, Chief Executive Officer.

“We are delighted to have been granted a UK patent for this transformational technology and patents are also pending in Europe, including Norway, the USA, Canada, the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

“We have already demonstrated that compared to conventional technology the time taken to reach TD safely on the first attempt can be cut by half which would typically mean a $450,000 saving in running a completion or liner in.”

The MechLOK Swivel reduces the need for heavyweight drill pipe collars and protects items from potentially harmful torque.

The capability to immediately lock enables the mechanical release of setting tools, when required, and eliminates the need for drop ball and hydraulic concerns.

It ensures completions or liners reach TD and maximises return on investment.