Weatherford International Ltd. announced that it has been awarded an Innovative Technology Agreement with ENI to develop a subsea drilling-with-casing (DwC) system.

This technology, known as the SeaLance system, will enable a 20-inch casing string and its high pressure wellhead housing to be drilled to a pre-determined depth, cemented in place, and released in one run. The system will be capable of working with any high pressure wellhead housing on the market.

This technology agreement is aimed at realizing the benefits that a proven technology like the DwC system can offer, including mitigating shallow hazards, in a previously non-applicable and costly subsea environment. In doing so, this system will minimize risk while allowing maximum flow area to be maintained.

Ultimately, the SeaLance system will allow the remaining casing seats to be pushed deeper into the wellbore. This technology advancement will further enable applications in sub-salt plays.