NOV, Schlumberger form drill string telemetry systems joint venture

Offshore staff

HOUSTON-- National Oilwell Varco (NOV) and Schlumberger have formed the IntelliServ joint venture to provide high-speed drillstring telemetry systems.

According to the companies, the joint venture is expected to accelerate development and delivery of intelligent drilling solutions through the expanded use of the IntelliServ Broadband Network, a technology that provides high resolution data in real time to and from the bottom of oil and gas wells as they are being drilled. IntelliServ also will provide along-string evaluation services, enabling real-time monitoring of drillstring conditions, and an unlimited ability to actuate downhole tools on-demand. The current speed of 57,600 bits per second is up to 20,000 times faster than the transmission speed that is available using conventional mud pulse technology, the companies say.

National Oilwell Varco owns 55% of the joint venture and provides manufacturing, technical, and operational support. Schlumberger owns 45% and will pursue the development of advanced drilling-related systems enabled by the IntelliServ Broadband Network, the company says.

“Our new joint venture with Schlumberger will permit us to better serve our customers by opening a range of new intelligent drilling possibilities, and expanding the global reach of the IntelliServ Broadband Network,” says Pete Miller, chairman, president, and CEO of NOV. “We are excited about the possibilities this joint venture brings to the marketplace and we look forward to working closely with Schlumberger to expand further the commercial use of IntelliServ.”

09/28/2009