As drilling technology advances, operators are continuing to drill deeper and further than ever thought possible. Extended reach drilling and record breaking lateral lengths have brought new challenges to the onshore market, and tubular technology has had to evolve quickly to fill the gaps. Increased depths lead to higher formation pressure that must be managed. Longer strings and tighter formations require increased pressure containment. Longer horizontals becoming the norm with severe dog legs have made ultra-high torque a necessity. As the industry leading premium connection supplier, VAM® connects operators to engineered tubular solutions for the well designs of tomorrow.

Threaded & Coupled: VAM® 21 HT, the next generation T&C premium connection, features advanced sealing technology and higher torque capability. VAM® 21 HT was the first connection to combine a gas tight metal-to-metal seal with 100% pipe body ratings. It was the first connection qualified to the new ISO 13679 FDIS-2011 CAL IV protocol, and is fully API RP 5C5:2017 CAL-IV compliant within the full pipe body envelope. VAM® 21 HT is the highest performing and most reliable VAM® shouldered connection to date with excellent gas tight sealing under combined loads, extreme compression resistance (100%) and innovative VAM® Effect with the VAM® Stabilizer™ for full sealability.

For extended reach and horizontal drilling with extremely long laterals, ultra-high torque capability becomes a necessity. The higher torque is required to rotate the string through the curve and across the lateral portion into position. Unlike the vertical section, torque is used to combat gravity-induced friction when in the lateral. When rotating the casing during cementing, higher torque is needed to overcome the friction and drag that the cement creates on the surface of the tubulars. These ultra-high torques cannot be met with slight changes to existing connection designs. A whole new concept to the conventional threaded and coupled connection was required and led to the development of VAM® HTTC.

Integral: When geology or government regulation requires an additional intermediate string, clearance becomes a major concern. To prevent a restriction of the production casing ID (and therefore fracture and production volume) or the need for a larger surface casing (increasing weight and overall cost), an integral connection becomes a necessity. They offer OD’s that are the same as the pipe OD or a few percent over it, freeing up valuable space in the well design. The first connection on the market designed with Shale Gas in mind is VAM® SG. Designed to withstand the high fatigue from horizontal rotation, pressure cycling from repeated fracture jobs and gas sealability after this loading, VAM® SG is the perfect candidate for wells requiring a semi-flush integral connection. The hooked thread form prevents jump out, the large contact mid wall shoulder provides high torque, and the run out thread enhances tension up to 91% in some sizes.

For extended reach horizontal wells that require slim well designs, high torque is still needed, and the VAM® EDGE SF was designed with the future in mind. Taking cues from the VAM® SG, it exhibits a mid-wall seal for full gas sealability with high fatigue life. A variable width dovetail thread drastically increases torque while preventing jump out at the same time. The result is a connection with double the torque of a conventional shouldered connection, and has been thoroughly tested across the product line.

Regardless of the projects operators have in mind, Vallourec is here to engineer the right tubular solution.