Halliburton unveils new pipe inspection tool to address well integrity issues

US-based oilfield service company Halliburton has launched a new technology that enables operators to address well integrity issues and identify casing defects with improved accuracy.

Known as the Electromagnetic Pipe Xaminer V (EPX V) service, the new pipe inspection tool is also used to accurately pinpoint metal corrosion in up to five tubular strings throughout the well, and reduce non-productive time.

According to the company, the service can determine the metal loss and condition for each individual tubular in up to five concentric strings.

Halliburton Wireline and Perforating vice-president David Topping said: “We designed the EPX V service to efficiently diagnose wellbore integrity and provide a more accurate and reliable assessment of pipe condition, so that operators can collaborate with us to design and deliver a solution that specifically addresses their issues.”

The high-definition frequency technology used by the tool emits electromagnetic waves continuously into the well tubulars.

In addition, algorithms are used to determine total thickness and metal loss in each pipe.

The tool is said to be compatible with other diagnostic services, including the Halliburton Acoustic Conformation Xaminer (ACX) service, which helps in the identification of wellbore leaks.

Furthermore, the tool can be used as a monitoring instrument in mature fields for corrosion rates or as a diagnostic equipment to discover and define integrity issues as they arise.

Operators can deploy the tool in deviated and horizontal wells through multiple conveyance systems.

Halliburton operates in around 70 countries, offering services throughout the lifecycle of the reservoir, ranging from the location of hydrocarbons and management of geological data to well construction and completion.