(19)

(11)

EP 2 739 823 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 15.08.2013 (43) Date of publication: 11.06.2014 Bulletin 2014/24 (21) Application number: 12751640.9 (22) Date of filing: 26.07.2012

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  E21B 49/08(2006.01) (86) International application number: PCT/US2012/048337 (87) International publication number: WO 2013/019557 (07.02.2013 Gazette 2013/06)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR (30) Priority: 02.08.2011 US 201113196567 02.08.2011 US 201113196525 (71) Applicant: Saudi Arabian Oil Company Dhahran 31311 (SA)	(72) Inventor: AL-SHAMMARI, Ahmad, Tariq Dammam (SA) (74) Representative: Robinson, David Edward Ashdown  Marks & Clerk LLP 1 New York Street Manchester M1 4HD Manchester M1 4HD (GB)