Schlumberger Dowell Introduces the SCALE BLASTER Service; An Engineered Approach to Scale Removal

Business Wire, August 3, 1998

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--August 3, 1998--Schlumberger Dowell (NYSE:SLB) today announced the introduction of its SCALE BLASTER(a) service, a true breakthrough in downhole scale removal technology. The new service offers a clear solution to a previously unsolvable problem.

The scale removal system, coiled tubing conveyed, uses fluid jetting and abrasive jetting technology, offering several advantages over mechanical removal methods, including cleaning of tubing jewelry (gas lift mandrels, sub sea safety valves, etc.), through-tubing cleaning of liners and casing, and cleaning of high-temperature deposits. The jetting system removes soft organic wellbore deposits by jetting with water or chemicals, soluble scales by jetting with acid, and hard inert scales by jetting with abrasives.

The SCALE BLASTER service uses Sterling Beads, a revolutionary product that when mixed with jetting fluid shatters scale deposits without damaging the tubing, quickly returning the well to profitable production. The SCALE BLASTER service removes even the hardest scale, such as barium, strontium and iron sulfate, so that there is no need to kill the well and pull the tubing. A rotating nozzle provides 100 percent coverage, cleaning nipple profiles and completion hardware, as well as the tubing wall. This eliminates the risk of damage to the tubing and downhole jewelry.

The SCALE BLASTER service has proved its effectiveness in wells throughout the world. In West Africa, the service proved to be a viable and reliable alternative for removing 4,000 ft. of barium sulfate scale, allowing the removal and replacement of five gas lift valves. Use of the SCALE BLASTER service resulted in the client placing the well on production for the first time since 1994. Before running the SCALE BLASTER service, several mill runs using different mills and motors, impact hammers, chemical scale dissolving treatments and alternate jetting systems were unsuccessful.

Dowell provides oil and gas companies with cementing, drilling fluids, reservoir stimulation, sand control, water control and coiled tubing services that enhance well productivity and profitability. Worldwide operations are conducted from 180 service centers and more than 100 field laboratories. Dowell scientists and engineers develop technology with particular emphasis on enhancing oil and gas production, service quality, safety and environmental protection.

For further information, contact Rich Downey, Technology Implementation Manager, Schlumberger Dowell, 300 Schlumberger Drive, Sugar Land, Texas 77478 USA, (281) 285-4265, or e-mail downey2@slb.com.

(a) Mark of Schlumberger

    CONTACT: Schlumberger Dowell, Sugar Land
              Rich Downey, 281/285-4265
              downey2@slb.com