(19)

(11)

EP 1 588 015 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 24.03.2005 (43) Date of publication: 26.10.2005 Bulletin 2005/43 (21) Application number: 04707464.6 (22) Date of filing: 02.02.2004

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: E21B 7/20, E21B 7/18, E21B 7/08, E21B 33/14, E21B 21/10, E21B 41/00, E21B 47/01 (86) International application number: PCT/US2004/003164 (87) International publication number: WO 2004/070159 (19.08.2004 Gazette 2004/34)

(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 RO SE SI SK TR Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK (30) Priority: 31.01.2003 US 444088 P 05.03.2003 US 452317 P 05.03.2003 US 452202 P 05.03.2003 US 452186 P (71) Applicant: WEATHERFORD/LAMB, INC. HoustonTexas 77027 (US)

(72) Inventors: GIROUX, Gregory, G. Cypress, TX 77429 (US) GALLOWAY, Gregory, G. Conroe, TX 77304 (US) TUONG, Thang, Le Katy, TX 77450 (US) JACKSON, Raymond, H. Spring, TX 77379 (US) NAZZAL, Gregory, R. Kingwood, TX 77345 (US) SWARR, James, C. The Woodlands, TX 77382 (US) BRUNNERT, David, J. Houston, TX 77040 (US) BEASLEY, William, M. Waller, TX 77484 (US) LIRETTE, Brent, J. Houston, TX 77095 (US) ODELL, Albert, C. Houston, TX 77041 (US) TERRY, Jim Houston, TX 77041 (US) MCKAY, David Houston, TX 77041 (US) ALKHATIB, Samir Houston, TX 77041 (US) WARDLEY, Mike Scotland Aberdeenshire AB30 1EQ (GB) (74) Representative: Marchitelli, Mauro  c/o Buzzi, Notaro & Antonielli d'Oulx Via Maria Vittoria 18 10123 Torino 10123 Torino (IT)