Flying Squad

Flying Squad

The setting of SI expandable products needs to be carried out by trained personnel. Skilled Saltel engineers are available based in:

• Edmonton, Alberta, for operations in Canada
• Rennes, France, for operations in Europe
• Midland*, Texas, for operations in the USA

Strategic partnerships have been organized with oilfield service companies in other countries to train local staff to be fully proficient in job preparation and setting Saltel Expandables, please check on the world map for the most appropriate location near you.

A flying squad of specialists, based in the Saltel Industries head office in France, is also available to travel to other areas at short notice. All speak a minimum of English and French, are thoroughly trained in all aspects of the Patch and tool conception, design, and functionalities, and have extensive Patch setting experience.

When a candidate well is identified the client is invited to provide basic well details, often using the “Job Evaluation Data Sheet”. This will be reviewed by an engineer from the flying squad who will design the job program, provide the exact product characteristics in the specific well conditions, identify any potential hazards or risks, and provide a detailed job program.

Since 2008 the flying squad has been managed by our Operations manager, Yoann Riou, who also evaluates job feasibility, and organizes the equipment and procedures for Saltel Industries field operations around the world.

Sebastien Rayr, graduated from ENSAM Engineering School in France, and has been managing Patch operations in the Middle East, Europe, and North America

Sebastien Reverte, graduated from Aix en Provence Engineering School, joined the company in 2006 and worked on the development of the Patch and setting tools before joining the operations team and setting the first Patches in the Middle East, Europe, Africa and North America.

Benjamin Le Pouezard and Gregory Louis are both graduates from Lannion Engineering School in Brittany, and worked extensively with the R&D qualifying the patches before stating operations.

Setting a Saltel Industries Expandable requires specialized personnel and equipment, any job will require:

• the Patch itself (a consumable, sold to the client)

• a set of down hole expandable tools (DHET). These are rated to 1000bar/15,000psi, 150°C/300°F, and integrate a full set of safety features. They are designed to cope with differential hydrostatic pressures of up to 900m/3,000ft.

• A source of surface pressure. This can either be
  • The Saltel Industries high pressure regulated hydraulic skid or
  • Any high pressure unit provided locally meeting requirements are for a pressure of up to 700bar/10,000 psi, with a manageable flow rate (less than 30liters per minute or 8 US gallons per minute) a pressure limitation device, and a pressure recording.

• A rig with good quality drill pipe or tubing, rated to the anticipated expansion pressures.

The Patch and down hole expansion tools can be air freighted to any location, the only limitation being the length of the patch.

The high pressure regulated hydraulic skid can also be shipped by air, but as it weighs 1.4 tons when possible it’s preferable to ship by truck or ship.

Alternatively a pump flow control module (PFCM) can be supplied to connect between the well and a high pressure-high volume pump truck (cement truck or frac unit) available locally, so as to run and set the patch safely. The PFCM is designed to be shipped by air.

The standard models of Patch are kept in stock at Head office, and can be completed to a specific length in very short time. Fully customized Patches can also be made, although this takes slightly longer. A Patch, setting tool, and flying squad can be on site almost anywhere in the world in a few days.

Contact Saltel Industries for a job evaluation and/or quote