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EP 1 977 073 A1

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(43) Date of publication: 08.10.2008 Bulletin 2008/41 (21) Application number: 06765124.0 (22) Date of filing: 26.07.2006

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  E21B 7/06(2006.01) E21B 10/62(2006.01) E21B 17/10(2006.01) (86) International application number: PCT/GB2006/002803 (87) International publication number: WO 2007/012858 (01.02.2007 Gazette 2007/05)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR (30) Priority: 27.07.2005 GB 0515394 (71) Applicants: Schlumberger Holdings Limited Stonehouse, Gloucestershire GL3 1LT (GB) GB NL  Schlumberger Oilfield Assistance Limited Road Town, Tortola (VG) TR  PRAD Research and Development N.V. Willemstad, Curacao (AN) Services Pétroliers Schlumberger 75007 Paris (FR) FR  Schlumberger Technology B.V. 2514 JG The Hague (NL) BG CZ DE DK GR HU IE IT LT PL RO SK TR

(72) Inventors: DOWNTON, Geoff Michinhampton, Gloucestershire GL6 9BY (GB) HART, Steven Yate South Gloucester BS37 7YN (GB) SIHLER, Joachim Somerville, MA 02143 (US) SINDT, Olivier Cheltenham GL50 3EQ (GB) WHITE, David Cambridge CB1 7SZ (GB) (74) Representative: Stoole, Brian David et al Sensa Gamma House Southampton Science Park Southampton Hampshire SO16 7NS Southampton Hampshire SO16 7NS (GB)