Offshore staff

LANCASHIRE, UK -- RFID tags can be a management/inventory control asset to track equipment during drilling and production. The tags are embedded in downhole tubulars such as drill pipe, casing, production tubing, and other bottom hole assembly components.

Previous techniques for mounting RFID tags often resulted in tag failure. The tags presented a danger to personnel when pressure became trapped behind the tag while pulling equipment out of a well.

Merrick Systems Inc., a provider of integrated software solutions for upstream oil and gas operations, wanted a high performance material for the housing of its RFID tags. They established material requirements that included the ability to withstand the high pressures and temperatures of the downhole environment, strength, corrosive resistance, acceptability in the industry, moldability, expansion coefficients, brittleness, abrasive resistance, epoxy bondability, dielectric properties, and long-term stability, including resistance to deterioration under UV exposure.

Merrick further required a material that could be manufactured in bulk and also required a housing that could be mechanically shaped to prevent pressure buildup while withstanding downhole conditions and providing a mechanical mounting.

Victrex PEEK polymer was the result.

Developing the product jointly, Victrex and Merrick say they have demonstrated that tag reliability is no longer an issue because of tag design, the use of Victrex PEEK polymer, special epoxies, and tag installation methods to endure sustained drilling operations.

5/9/27