AIMS develops Powder Metallurgy stator for oil & gas industries
June 18, 2014
The oil and gas industries are set to realise significant potential from down-hole drilling thanks to a new EU-patented technique from international metallurgy business, Advanced Interactive Materials Science Limited (AIMS).
The helicoidal motor stator from AIMS
The UK-based company has designed a unique near-net-shaped helicoidal motor stator featuring a telemetry hole using Powder Metallurgy. Previously it has not been possible to incorporate a hole through a metal stator that can resist the abrasive, corrosive and erosive conditions of modern day drilling techniques.
AIMS Managing Director Mark Hodgkins stated, “This is an interesting development for the oil and gas industries as it will give another option on the quest to understand the conditions at the drill head. We have made a significant investment in research and development, which we continue to do, and this patent, we believe, is a major achievement.”
With a sharp increase in directional drilling, the price of pulling drills out of the ground costs many millions of dollars every year. This new innovation will give opportunities to dramatically cut these costs, increasing life-cycle and operating efficiencies.
“Over the last 12 months AIMS has been refining its near-net shape capability, with various different formulations to develop components without the need for second stage machining. At a leading edge of manufacturing technology, this technique enhances the saving of energy, materials and labour costs, whilst allowing complex structures, such as this helicoidal telemetry hole, to be developed,” added Hodgkins.
