Centek Group, the leading centralizer manufacturer, is introducing the Centek S2 hinged centraliser for use offshore when top of hole centralization with oversized casing connectors is required.
In applications where quick casing connectors are used, slip-on bow spring centralisers cannot be fitted because the unions stand proud of the casing and a hinged centraliser is necessary. Each half of Centek's new hinged centralizer is made from a single piece of hardened, high grade steel. The new design does not compromise on centraliser performance with a joint strength of up to 3.5t which is unparalleled in the industry. The Centek S2 hinged centraliser has the strongest hinge of any latch-on centralizer with specially designed spiral pins that reduce installation time and can be fitted to casing on the drilling platform or at the pipe yard.
Vertical installation is simple, by first fitting the hinged stop collar to the casing, followed by wrapping the two hinged halves around the casing and closing the other hinge. Pins require an insertion load of 220kg helping to preclude pin disengagement on run in hole, and as a further failsafe the pin cannot disengage because of the narrow gap between centralizer and stop collar.
The Centek S2 hinged centraliser provides both a high restoring force and high standoff ratio to aid good cementation, with no start or running forces as these centralizers are made precisely to gauge.
"When using quick connect couplings hinged centralizers are necessary but due to pipe weights and deviated well geometries, conventional hinged centralisers often fail or produce inadequate centralization and a poor cement job." said Cliff Berry, vice-president, global business development at Centek Group. "Now with the hinged S2 centraliser we can offer our customers the flexibility of a hinged centraliser with the unrivalled strength of the Centek S2 opening up a new market for Centek."
The units are designed to fit around the casing not the connector and are available in a range of casing sizes from 18 5/8 x 24 up to 28in x 32in. The first order for hinged centralizers has been shipped to Norway for well installation in Q2, 2015.
