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Impact Solutions Group and Petrobras Announce First Contract to Use Secure Drilling(TM) Managed Pressure Drilling System in Brazil

Posted on: Tuesday, 28 March 2006, 09:00 CST

Impact Solutions Group Limited (UK) today announced that it has entered into a contract with Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. ("Petrobras") for the first field application of Impact's unique patented Secure Drilling(TM) managed pressure drilling system.

Under the contract, Petrobras will be utilizing the Secure Drilling(TM) system on four wells in Brazil. It is expected that the system will be first deployed and tested on two wells onshore and then on two wells offshore on a jack-up rig. The first well is expected to be drilled during the second quarter of 2006, with the remaining wells to be drilled over the next three quarters.

The Secure Drilling(TM) system is specifically designed to offer the operator maximum drilling flexibility by allowing the well to be drilled overbalanced, near balanced, or underbalanced. This flexibility enables the operator to optimize each section of the well based on the specific downhole conditions. The early kick detection and automatic kick control components of the system also provide increased safety when compared to conventional drilling. The system is designed to incorporate existing drilling and pressure control equipment, such as rotating control heads, power chokes, pressure sensors and flow meters, with minimal upgrades and equipment additions.

Dr. Helio Santos, President of Impact, commented, "We are excited about working with Petrobras on the introduction of the Secure Drilling(TM) technology to the field. The system is also expected to provide the industry with a safer and more efficient method of drilling wells offshore and in other challenging drilling environments. The system is expected to both reduce cost and increase efficiency while offering a safer drilling operation."

Emmanuel Nogueira, Program Coordinator from Petrobras said, "Following Petrobras' tradition of being first in introducing new technologies in many areas, we are pleased to be the first to utilize the Secure Drilling(TM) system in a field application. Our agreement with Impact is designed to validate the Secure Drilling(TM) system first onshore and then on jack-ups before deploying this innovative drilling method in our deepwater activities. It is exactly in the challenging deepwater scenario where the Secure Drilling(TM) method can significantly change the economics of finding and producing hydrocarbon reserves."

The Secure Drilling(TM) system, which is based on the Micro-Flux Control approach, is designed to allow for automatic kick detection and control as well as full bottomhole pressure control. The system is also expected to provide operators with a safer and more efficient method of drilling wells in challenging drilling environments.

Source: Business Wire

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