TESTING IMPROVES DESIGN AND PERFORMANCE OF CASING HARDWARE.

Concerned with the number of field failures of casing hardware reported throughout the industry, Dowell-Schlumberger, in 1982, initiated a program to test all types of equipment to destruction or to preset limits which would prevent damage to the testing equipment. The objective was to verify design specifications and to make improvements where necessary. The program consisted of two series of tests. The first was a static pressure test to determine when pressure was applied from both above and below float equipment. The second was a flow test to determine the effects of abrasives and high flow rates on internal parts. Extensive testing of casing hardware has led to design changes and modifications which have significantly improved the performance of casing hardware equipment. Some topics discussed are: compression case design, flow tests, ball-type float equipment, stage cementing collars, plug tests, and tests leading to better design.