(19)

(11)

EP 1 350 004 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 08.10.2003 Bulletin 2003/41 (21) Application number: 01271099.2 (22) Date of filing: 29.11.2001

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: E21B 17/10, E21B 17/22 (86) International application number: PCT/GB0105/280 (87) International publication number: WO 0205/0397 (27.06.2002 Gazette 2002/26)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (30) Priority: 19.12.2000 GB 0031010 30.04.2001 GB 0110504 (71) Applicant: WEATHERFORD/LAMB, INC. HoustonTexas 77027 (US)	(72) Inventor: RASTEGAR, Gholam Aberdeen,Aberdeenshire AB14 0WA (GB) (74) Representative: Asquith, Julian Peter  Marks & Clerk,Nash Court,Oxford Business Park South Oxfordshire OX4 2RU Oxfordshire OX4 2RU (GB)