An innovative self-filling float from Churchill Drilling Tools, which provides an effective barrier on demand, reduces costly intervention and combats pressure surge is set to enhance global drilling practices following successful deployments in the North Sea.

The self-filling float is being used by two major operators in varied applications in the region, and the company has seen further significant interest in the tool on a worldwide basis.

Floats in the bottom hole assembly (BHA) play a critical role in protecting the rig from uncontrolled hydrocarbons in the formation, but running into hole (RIH) with a float, or non-return valve (NRV), can be inconvenient because of a lack of flexibility in deployment.

Churchill’s patent pending Self-Filling Float allows the operator to select the timing of float activation. By using the float rapid, surge-free RIH can be achieved before activation puts it into a fully protected mode, providing two high quality non-return barriers between the rig and the formation.

Tags: Churchill Drilling Tools