Hardband solution reduces casing wear

Grant Prideco Inc. of Houston, Texas, has introduced Platinum HB, a new hardhand solution. Platinum HB delivers both industry-best casing protection and best-in-class tool joint protection in casing, a feat never before achieved in a hardband, the company says.

“Grant Prideco has created a patent-pending, proprietary hardband that is ideal for operators and pipe owners alike,” says Brett Chandler, manager, marketing, and product management, Drilling Products and Services, Grant Prideco. “Platinum HB employs near-nanoscale microconstituents to provide high strength for wear performance and high toughness necessary to resist cracking and spalling in the most severe downhole applications.”

Platinum HB’s superior performance has been proven in laboratory testing of hundreds of samples, including leading competitors, the company says. Casing wear tests showed a 31% reduction in casing wear over the nearest competitive hardband. At the same time, the Platinum HB reduced radial tool joint wear in casing by 55% compared to the next best casing-friendly solution.

“The Platinum HB alloy has been meticulously engineered to contract and expand at the same rate as the tool joint steel to eliminate cracking during application and in the field,” Chandler says. “Matching the coefficient of thermal expansion of the hardband material to the base tool joint steel is an industry-first and is a patent-pending process. As a result, Platinum HB is virtually crack-free and can be easily reapplied over itself.”

Grant Pridco developed the Platinum HB in partnership with The NanoSteel Co., headquartered in Maitland, Florida. The NanoSteel Co. is an international leader in the research, development, and production of nanomaterials.

The Platinum HB is a new hardhand solution that delivers both industry-best casing protection and best-in-class tool joint protection in casing.