Dexter Magnetic Technologies Launches New Downhole Generator Tool For Extreme Oil, Gas & Geothermal Drilling Conditions

ELK GROVE VILLAGE, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A new high pressure – high temperature (HPHT) generator tool developed by Dexter Magnetic Technologies, Inc. (Dexter), could lead the way to drilling deeper and more productive oil & gas wells in the world's most extreme drilling environments.

“The need for such HPHT power supplies appears to be greater now more than ever, with the high temperature, extended reach horizontal drilling experienced in plays such as the Haynesville Shale”

The new HPHT generator tool, developed by Dexter's magnetics engineering team with the support of the U.S. Department of Energy's National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), provides local power for downhole drilling, measurement and logging systems in environments up to 250 °C (480 °F) and greater than 20,000 psi (140 kPa). The tool delivers over 200 watts of high density power at a regulated 24 VDC.

Dexter's Director of Technology, Dr. Gareth Hatch said, "The generator works by drawing energy from the drilling fluid that is pumped down from the surface, to lubricate the drill bit and to remove the rock cuttings. This fluid is passed through a set of turbine blades, which connects with a special permanent magnet generator that then generates power."

"The new generator system will be used to replace disposable lithium and rechargeable lithium ion batteries, which do not operate above 200 °C (390 °F), thus limiting the cycle time and depth of drilling for systems that use them. This also means that in addition to oil & gas well drilling, the tool could also have applications for geothermal drilling, which can experience even more demanding conditions," Dr. Hatch added.

Dexter's Business Development Manager for the oil & gas industry, Tim Price said, "The development of HPHT measurement and logging tools has outpaced the availability of safe and reliable HPHT power supplies. Dexter's HPHT downhole generator was developed specifically to fill that void. We have a downhole power supply that provides regulated power from subzero surface temperatures to 250 °C (480 °F) bottom hole formation temperatures. No other single commercially-available technology can provide power over that operating range as of this date."

"The need for such HPHT power supplies appears to be greater now more than ever, with the high temperature, extended reach horizontal drilling experienced in plays such as the Haynesville Shale," Mr. Price added.

Performance data on the HPHT downhole generator products can be acquired directly from Dexter. The company is now actively seeking industry partners to participate in field trials and qualification of the new HPHT downhole generator tool in wells with formation temperatures expected to exceed 175 °C (350 °F).

Dexter Magnetic Technologies, Inc., headquartered in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, is a leader in the design, engineering & manufacturing of magnetic components, devices & systems for customers and clients in the oil & gas, aerospace, defense, medical, data storage, renewables and industrial sectors. The company’s Web site is www.dextermag.com.