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Varel International Launches High Energy Series Roller Cone Bits for Oil and Gas Drilling

Posted on: Monday, 22 September 2008, 18:00 CDT

Varel International, the world's largest independent supplier of drill bits for the oil and gas industry, announced the commercial launch of new "High Energy" series roller cone insert bits.

This series was engineered as a solution to increasing demands on drill bits which require greater weight on bit (WOB) and higher rotations per minute (RPM) for faster drilling. The High Energy series includes the following key enhancements to meet higher level drilling parameters:

1. Seal Enhancements

2. Improved Seal/Bearing System

3. Precision Hydraulics and Cleaning Efficiencies

Chris Byrd, Varel's Vice President - Roller Cone Business Unit, described the company's method for developing the new series: "We took a total, integrated systems approach to developing our solution. Using our already proven technology as a platform, we looked at ways that would allow the operators to drill further and drill faster with our bits. Our answer is the High Energy series which includes advanced technology, as well as two patent-pending innovations. Initial field tests show a consistent performance improvement of 25 percent in KRevs over previous technology, all while maintaining seal effectiveness."

Seal Enhancements

Anchoring the series are the two patent-pending innovations related to the product's seal. First, the Varel team developed a geometrically enhanced seal gland for increased seal reliability. This conical seal gland positions the seal in such a way that it can better handle pressure fluctuations and still maintain a preferred sealing location and interface. The second facet is the addition of a heat shield disc deployed between the seal and the inner bearing. This shield acts as a thermal insulator, protecting the seal from excessive thermal energy. Both innovations have been field tested and have shown significant impact in extending the life of the bearing seal in various high input energy applications.

Improved Seal/Bearing System

Byrd explained the Varel approach used to design the High Energy series' improved seal/bearing system, "The team first set out to develop a system that would support higher loads on the bearing surface, specific to the applications we are targeting. The result is a solution that incorporates a more robust and more tightly toleranced journal bearing. An additional modification is the advanced lubrication compensation system, featuring a self-draining reservoir chamber to reduce cuttings build-up adjacent to the top of the reservoir. This protects the components from damaging debris. These enhancements work together to improve the longevity of the seal/bearing system and extended the life of the drill bit."

Precision Hydraulics and Cleaning Efficiencies

Varel incorporated the V-Jet(TM) enhanced hydraulics package to this series enabling precision aiming of the nozzle flow to achieve excellent cuttings cleaning of the teeth while avoiding erosion of the bit's cones and the borehole wall due to recirculation. V-Jet translates into higher rates of penetration, more efficient drilling and extended bit life.

High Energy series bits are available in diameters ranging from 7-1/2" to 13-3/4" and in IADC codes ranging from 417 through 837. All IADC code 537 and softer in this series include Varel's V-Jet hydraulics package.

Varel President and CEO Jim Nixon expressed his excitement about the High Energy series, "The High Energy series is a continuation of our commitment to innovative product development and engineering. We strive to provide our global customer base with high value products designed and built to perform exceedingly well for their applications. We are excited to introduce this line of drill bits to meet our customers' requirements for speed and durability in their drilling applications."

About Varel International

Founded in 1947, Varel International is the world's largest independent supplier and the fifth largest company operating in the global oil & gas drill bit market. Headquartered in Carrollton, Texas, Varel services oil & gas, mining, and industrial markets with its comprehensive suite of roller cone and fixed cutter drill bits. The company employs more than 1,000 people and has manufacturing facilities in Carrollton, Texas; Houston, Texas; Matamoros, Mexico and Tarbes, France, as well as sales offices throughout the world. Varel's proprietary design capabilities, efficient manufacturing, and global sales force uniquely positions the company to provide high-quality drill bits that deliver excellent performance and value to its customer base. For more information, visit www.varelintl.com.

Source: Business Wire

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