Smith Bits, a Schlumberger company, introduced StingBlade, a conical diamond element bit. StingBlade bits increase run length and rate of penetration (ROP) while delivering improved steering response in directional applications. “In…
Jerry Lee discusses new and improved drill bit designs and technologies with several leading companies. Rising energy demand has resulted in the need to reach reserves in more complex formations. The more complex the formation, the more…
Claudio Paschoa discusses Stinger conical diamond technology with João Pedro Tocantins, Senior Product Engineer from Schlumberger’s Smith Bits. The CDE, centrally placed in a PDC drill bit cutting structure…
The Inez H. Eymard lift boat. Photo from Nick Welz, Tetra Tech Inc. Dominion Virginia Power is using L/B Inez H. Eymard for geotechnical site work this summer. Throughout July…
In October, Newpark Drilling Fluids named Phil Vollands president of North America. Vollands is focused on growing the business and positioning Newpark Drilling Fluids as the leader in water-based fluid technology. Vollands has plenty of industry experience…
MV Connor Bordelon is the host vessel for Baker Hughes new StimFORCE stimulation system in the Gulf of Mexico. Nina Rach went to Houma, Louisiana, to see the modular installation. Baker Hughes recently constructed a new stimulation vessel dedicated to the Gulf of Mexico market…
GE Oil & Gas opens Brazilian logistics base With an area of 590,000sq. ft and investments that exceed US$100 million, GE’s base in Niteroi in the state of Rio de Janeiro was designed primarily to load and unload installer ships. These vessels carry heavy equipment…
Baker Hughes kicked off its first STEM event for high-school students in the Houston area this past summer, inviting 22 students to visit its drill bit manufacturing facility in The Woodlands, Texas. The success of the program, and positive feedback throughout the industry…
BlueFire Equipment Corp rolled out its new premium steel bit line. The product will be available alongside the matrix PDC bits, and offers the opportunity of more cost savings for its customers. “During the process of developing our first made-to-order product for the international sector…
Sandvik has reached an agreement to acquire Varel International Energy Services Inc. for approximately US$740 million. The closing of the acquisition is subject to standard regulatory approvals and certain environmental due dilligence. Varel…
Baker Hughes Inc. announced the availability of its StayCool™ multidimensional cutter, which helps operators drill to total depth faster and more cost effectively by extending cutter life and footage per run. Used exclusively on the Hughes…
Smith Bits, a Schlumberger company, released the ONYX 360° rolling polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) cutter. This technology enables a PDC cutter to rotate 360° while drilling, improving drillbit durability in abrasive formations and extending drillbit life and footage drilled per run…
Baker Hughes Inc. announced that its subsidiary, Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations, Inc., successfully deployed the Hughes Christensen Kymera™ hybrid drill bit for Statoil to improve rate of penetration (ROP) and drilling performance in an appraisal well in deepwater Logan field…
Baker Hughes announced the availability of a drilling fluid system that can improve drilling economics by enabling operators to manage circulating pressure more efficiently. The Baker Hughes MPRESS™ drilling fluid system allows operators…
Carrolton, Texas,-based Varel International l a u n c h e d i t s Katana-series steel body polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) drill bits. Varel’s PDC Product Manager Cary Maurstad describes the line as a definitive enhancement for the company’s fixed cutter…