Premium Casings

for the exploration of oil and gas

1. chipless forming of premium casings with GFU Maschinenbau GmbH

The exploration of crude oil and natural gas is a complex and risky process based on state-of-the-art technologies and materials. In this context, casings / premium casings play a crucial role. These special pipes are not only used to support boreholes, but also to ensure the safety and efficiency of the entire production operations.

Swaging the pipe ends plays a central role in preparing these pipes for further use. This process is used to optimize the dimensions of the pipe ends of casings to ensure that they meet the high precision requirements for attaching the threads.

Technische Darstellung eines Premium Casings für die Öl- und Gasexploration

Source image: https://jubail.arcelormittal.com/products-and-services/our-products/premium-connections

2. Challenge in the production of casings:

In addition to the requirements for reliable mechanical properties of the pipes, particular attention is paid to the dimensions of the pipe ends. Here, the highest demands are placed on the roundness of the pipes in order to be able to attach the required threads with the least possible material removal and without residual staining.

Depending on the desired connection, the pipe ends are calibrated or drawn in or expanded conically or cylindrically. The swagers from GFU – Maschinenbau GmbH play a central role here. Whether for T&C (threaded & coupled), integral flush or premium connections, GFU swagers offer maximum reliability and precision.

Querschnitt eines Premium Casings mit veranschaulichter Gewindepräzision für Öl- und Gasexploration

Source: Ghent University, Laboratory Soete, Belgium (Document: INFLUENCE OF DESIGN FEATURES ON THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THREADED PIPE CONNECTIONS)

Solutions from GFU - Maschinenbau GmbH for the production of casings:

3. cold forming of casings with GFU - Maschinenbau GmbH

Our expertise in cold forming:

With many years of experience in the cold forming of pipe ends, GFU – Maschinenbau GmbH is a leading manufacturer of swagers and is known as a reliable partner to its customers all over the world. With our swagers, we offer our customers in the oil and gas exploration sector reliable technology, robust and durable construction, delivery reliability and the best service. The systems are designed for continuous operation 24/7 and offer the following advantages:

  • Precision during forming thanks to a 6-segment clamping system to clamp the tubes precisely in the center
  • No clamping marks
  • No slipping of the pipe during forming
  • Absolute positioning accuracy of the forming cylinder
  • High repeat accuracy of the forming strokes
  • Adjustable pressing force via HMI
  • Adjustable clamping force via HMI
  • Can be fully integrated into existing production lines, but can also be operated stand-alone
  • Fully automatic process sequences or manual forming operations possible
  • Product range Ø2.3/8'' - Ø20'' and forming forces from 100 - 750 tons
Produktionsanlage von GFU Maschinenbau zur Herstellung von Premium Casings für die Exploration von Erdöl und Gas

GFU machines are tailored to the specific requirements of casing production and can be expanded to meet customer-specific requirements.

Here are some key features:

  • Automated processes: Our systems, such as the HP250 double line, can be easily integrated into existing production lines.
  • Flexible production: Thanks to modular tool concepts, you can produce casings of different diameters and different shapes with the same system.
  • Reliability and precision: Our machines are designed for a long service life and precision, which is crucial for continuous production 24/7.
  • Service: To support the customer's own maintenance, GFU employees are available at short notice via telephone, remotely and also on site to service the systems.
Produktionsanlage von GFU Maschinenbau zur Herstellung von Premium Casings für die Exploration von Erdöl und Gas

4. conclusion

OCTG premium connections specially designed for oil and gas exploration. These GFU calibration presses are characterized by their precision, robustness and advanced technological innovations (e.g. integrated, freely programmable pipe spraying system, very short tool change times, freely programmable positioning of the forming tools, etc.). This is where GFU Maschinenbau clearly stands out from the competition.

With decades of experience since 1989, GFU’s solutions are characterized by high quality, flexibility and adaptability to existing customer systems, making them an industry standard. GFU’s sizing presses offer superior hydraulic proportional technology for both clamping technology and forming technology in combination with very precise forming. Efficient use in 3-shift operation (24/7) paired with a highly demanding end product requires the best possible technology.

GFU is available for you with the following series:

  • HP 100
  • HP 250
  • HP 500
  • HP 750

With GFU Maschinenbau GmbH, you have a strong partner at your side.

FAQ GFU

Frequently asked questions

Gas exploration:

It is generally assumed that crude oil and natural gas are formed from dead organic material such as algae and microorganisms and are converted into crude oil over millions of years under high pressure and temperatures. Even though oil is considered a finite resource, there are still general conditions for new crude oil to form. However, the time factor plays an important role here, which is why the exploration of crude oil continues to play a central role in tapping existing deposits.

The term oil exploration describes the development of oil deposits on land (onshore) or at sea (offshore). To this end, boreholes are drilled into the deposits. The drill pipes used convey the overburden to the surface. The borehole is lined with steel pipes (casing) to stabilize it. Oil exploration and gas exploration are similar.

Oil and gas exploration begins with geophysical and geological surveys to identify potential deposits. The subsurface is mapped using seismic waves and geological analysis. Once a promising area has been found, test wells are drilled to confirm the presence of crude oil or natural gas. A drilling rig is then used to reach deep enough into the ground to develop the deposit. In this way, oil and gas exploration ensures that the resources can be extracted efficiently and in the most environmentally friendly way possible.

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