(19)

(11)

EP 1 466 072 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 13.10.2004 Bulletin 2004/42 (21) Application number: 03707400.2 (22) Date of filing: 15.01.2003

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: E21B 33/127, E21B 33/12, E21B 33/1295 (86) International application number: PCT/US2003/001181 (87) International publication number: WO 2003/062593 (31.07.2003 Gazette 2003/31)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE SI SK TR Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO (30) Priority: 16.01.2002 US 350183 P (71) Applicant: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. HoustonTexas 77027 (US)	(72) Inventors: WILSON, Paul, J. Houston, TX 77084 (US) HOFFMAN, Corey, E. Magnolia, TX 77384 (US) (74) Representative: Marchitelli, Mauro  c/o Buzzi, Notaro & Antonielli d'OulxVia Maria Vittoria 18 10123 Torino 10123 Torino (IT)