NORTHSTAR DOWNHOLE SPECIALISTS
BRIDGING THE GAP IN WELL INTERVENTION
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NORTHSTAR DOWNHOLE SPECIALISTS
I PROFILE
For more than 40 years, Northstar Downhole Specialists has provided customers with first class downhole solutions. Now, following the decision to diversify its capabilities, the company is exploring a new area. President Keith Marshall and Vice President Dave Sudlow explained more about this development, in an exclusive interview with Imogen Ward.
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F
ounded in 1979, Northstar Downhole
reservoir testing to measurements and
Specialists built a solid reputation
sampling, the company tests all its products
within the world of oil and gas.
to the highest standards to ensure they can
“Northstar Downhole Specialists existed as
withstand the toughest conditions.
a global oilfield service company dedicated
As experts in all things downhole,
to downhole reservoir testing,” President
Northstar is often relied upon to come up
Keith Marshall explained. “We have worked
with solutions for new reservoir challenges.
in more than 26 countries, supporting reser-
“Some great examples of areas we have
voirs in whatever way possible.
worked in are hydrogen storage, carbon
“More recently though, we made the
capture, geothermal, and helium,” said
strategic decision to expand our capabili-
Vice President Dave Sudlow. “We have a
ties following the development of several
basket of tools that can plug into different
new products.”
markets, because the clients are often
Over the years, the company has
looking for the same thing: permeability.
developed a comprehensive set of solutions
Customers either want a reservoir with lots
that ensure customers can unlock the full
of permeability that will be able to produce
potential of their projects. From downhole
or store a large volume, or a cap rock with
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NORTHSTAR DOWNHOLE SPECIALISTS
I PROFILE
extremely low permeability, to keep the reservoir fluid contained. “The current challenge we are facing
“The lack of response made us realize that the product didn’t exist yet,” said Mr. Marshall. “The company was looking
revolves around hydrogen. As the smallest
for a retrievable bridge plug that was
molecule that exists, it is the hardest to con-
rated for 300 Fahrenheit and 15,000psi,
tain. So, we have completed a case study
which is incredibly difficult to achieve.”
exploring the viability of hydrogen storage.”
Having previously developed a highly
Northstar recently collaborated with
successful high pressure, high temperature
Mitsubishi Power Americas and Texas Brine
packer designed for seven inch casing, the
Company to evaluate the effectiveness of
company realized that there was potential
its inflatable packer system during DFIT and
to convert this design to meet the needs of
DFIT Flowback tests. The outcome was
the memorandum.
positive, with the system providing reliable
The packer was first developed back in
pressure-time data results, which helped to
2012 and has evolved several times over
evaluate the suitability of hydrogen storage.
the years following the advancement of additive manufacturing. After realizing
Exploring well intervention
what a gem of a design the company
With the ongoing success of its products,
had, it applied for patents in 55 countries
Northstar made the strategic decision to
including the United States.
expand into a new area of expertise. Without prior experience in well interven-
Evolving the packer
tion, the company responded to an
When assessing the capabilities of its
open memorandum.
packer, Northstar soon realized that it
Initially, sitting unanswered for
could scale the design down to fit the
several years, the memorandum was
smaller casing of four and a half inches,
looking for a four and a half inch high
which would meet the needs of the out-
pressure bridge plug.
standing memorandum. With a vision in
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mind, the company set to work adapting
temperature by 150 degrees, which is
its patented design.
a significant achievement.”
“There wasn’t anything available
“Trying to achieve 15,000psi was difficult,”
in the market like our bridge plug, ODIN,”
Mr. Marshall added. “People can achieve
Mr. Sudlow explained. “We successfully
5,000 or 10,000, but to hit that 15,000
validated the plug at 10,000psi and 300
benchmark is hard, because there are
Fahrenheit whilst implementing a signifi-
standards and specifications that need to
cant temperature drop. This is the stage
be followed. Our in-house testing facilities
where most products fail because the
have been an essential element in building
temperature drop causes everything
up towards this new standard.”
to shrink, and that can lead to leaks.
ODIN was successfully developed as
We have successfully dropped the
a highly flexible retrievable bridge plug,
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NORTHSTAR DOWNHOLE SPECIALISTS
I PROFILE
featuring Northstar’s patented Stellar
is not long-range, but it can communicate
support technology. ODIN can maintain
150 meters between transceivers. Using
optimal performance in the toughest envi-
acoustic transmission through tubing, the
ronmental conditions. The ODIN is safely
TAG can communicate the pressure and
retrieved with a jar down to equalize pres-
temperature to operators on the surface
sure, then pulling up to actively stretch the
and is also capable of sending commands
sealing element and retract the slips from
to different tools.”
the casing.
Although the range of the product is limited to 150 meters, additional TAGs
Introducing TAG
can be used as repeaters to extend this
Taking a further step into the world of well
range. Northstar is now in the process
intervention, Northstar developed the Tiny
of applying this product to as many
Acoustic Gizmo (TAG) – perfect for barrier
applications as possible.
verification when run with the ODIN Bridge
With its entrance into well intervention
Plug. This short hop wireless transceiver
a roaring success, Northstar intends to
is compact and cost-effective. Getting
grow its product portfolio even further.
its power supply from AA batteries, the
“Our next big push is to exploit the
product is designed to have low power
patent,” said Mr. Sudlow. “We intend to
consumption. As an added bonus, TAG’s
take our bridge plug and packers and
impressively small diameter makes it the
develop different sizes to address some
perfect portable tool for any well operator.
of the pressing needs of the industry.”
“Our Tiny Acoustic Gizmo is a wireless two way transceiver,” Mr. Sudlow continued. “It
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When reflecting on Northstar’s continued success, Mr. Marshall made it clear that
none of it would be possible without the support of its partners: “Part of the reason that we have remained in the downhole market is because it’s the hardest place to play, and we have always done so successfully. Our partnerships are a huge part of that. We partner with local companies, who really help us compete against the big players. “Now, we are partnering with subcomponent experts to develop new solutions rather than trying to develop it all ourselves. We don’t always have the knowledge needed for certain projects, and that’s where our partners really shine through.”
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