The AirLock® buoyancy system cuts casing running time, cost, and risk significantly, without intervention and without interfering with casing and cementing operations. The system allows the vertical casing section to be filled with fluid, while the lateral section remains air-filled and buoyant. The enhanced buoyancy reduces sliding friction up to 50% or more, while the weight of the vertical section adds force to push the casing all the way to the toe.

AirLock operation is simple and passive. The seal collar is installed at a location in the casing string calculated to provide the optimum balance of lateral buoyancy and vertical fluid weight. The collar contains a high-strength, dome-shaped pressure seal supported by a calibrated shear ring with breakaway tabs. After casing lands, increased surface pressure shears the tabs, and the dome is forced into the tapered throat below, where it is instantly crushed into small fragments, leaving a completely unrestricted wellbore.

To date, more than 10,000 AirLock systems have been run, and casing has landed successfully on the first attempt more than 99.9% of the time, including monobores and long strings in difficult, abrasive formations.

n Calibrated shear-ring design ensures predictable operation.

n No ID restriction after operation. n Strength specifications match the host

casing. n Collar can be torqued-through. n Collar is compact (24 in. length) for easy

handling.

Unique AirLock buoyancy system cuts casing running time, cost, and risk10,000+ installed—99.9+% success landing casing on first attempt

Example: 54% lower lateral weight and drag forces Casing weight in air 11.6 lb/ft / 17.3 kg/m

Casing weight in water 10.4 lb/ft / 15.1 kg/m

Casing weight with AirLock 4.8 lb/ft / 6.9 kg/m4.5-in. (114.3-mm) casing, 4-in. (101.6-mm) ID; fluid in lateral casing is air; fluid in vertical casing and open hole is water.

The AirLock seal is supported by a calibrated shear ring.

See other side for AirLock system sizes and specifications.

At a set differential pressure, the AirLock seal shears free and is instantly crushed into small fragments.

The AirLock dome supports a full column of fluid and captures air in the casing below.

Circulation sweeps fragments away, leaving a completely unrestricted wellbore.

Fluid-filled section

Air-filled section

Permian operator saves almost $15 million in rig timeIn the past three years, a major operator has installed the AirLock system in 576 wells across the company’s Permian Basin acreage in Texas and New Mexico, landing the casing every time. The company estimates that the AirLock system saved an average of 10 hours of rig time per well, adding up to just under $15 million, enough to drill at least one additional well.

Marcellus success“We have run over 500 of these systems in the past 3 years with 100% success reaching TD on ERD wells. No issues on completions side with pumping guns and plugs down. Initially we had concerns about debris on the drilling end, but the team worked together to resolve that concern.”

Permian speedWith the AirLock system in the string, an operator landed 20,000 ft of 5.5 in./20 lb/ft casing in less than 16 hours.

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WORLD HEADQUARTERS / U.S. OPERATIONS19350 State Highway 249, Suite 600 Houston, TX 77070 +1 281.453.2222 CANADA HEADQUARTERS700, 333-7th Ave SWCalgary, AB T2P 2Z1+1 403.720.3236

AirLock System Specifications

©2021 NCS Multistage LLC. All rights reserved. AirLock is a trademark of NCS Multistage LLC. AL_042021

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15.5-in. x 4.5-in. (139.7-mm x 114.3-mm) is available upon request;2NCS default material selection is 125 ksi MYS. Other materials (e.g. 110 ksi, 95 ksi, 80 ksi, sour service) are available upon request.

*Still in field testing stage.

NOTE: Casing and drill pipe connection ratings are not taken into account in above specifications.Product information and specifications presented herein are subject to change without notice to reflect improved design or operation or otherwise. In no case shall the information be considered a part of our terms and conditions of sale.

Casing size,1 in. / mm

Casing weight, lb/ft / kg/m

Material,2

MYS Tensile, lb / daN

Torque, lb-ft / N-m

Burst, psi / MPa

Collapse psi / MPa

Max shearpsi / MPa

4.5 / 114.3

11.6 / 17.26

125 ksi 419,086 / 186,419 16,800 / 22,777

13,660 / 94.2 12,330 / 85.0

9,500 / 65.513.5 / 20.09 13,700 / 94.5 12,330 / 85.0

15.1 / 22.47 13,750 / 94.8 12,330 / 85.0

4.5 / 114.3 HTHP

11.6 / 17.26

125 ksi 658,240 / 292,800 26,400 / 35,793

17,640 / 121.7 15,840 / 109.2

9,500 / 65.513.5 / 20.09 17,680 / 121.9 15,840 / 109.2

15.1 / 22.47 17,730 / 122.3 15,840 / 109.2

5.0 / 12718 / 26.78

125 ksi 888,065 / 395,031 31,000 / 42,03016,120 / 111.2 15,710 / 108.3

9,500 / 65.521.4 / 31.84 19,380 / 133.7 18,770 / 129.4

5.5 / 139.7

17 / 25.30

125 ksi 539,743 / 240,090 25,000 / 33,895

15,760 / 108.7 11,340 / 78.2

12,500 / 86.220 / 29.76 15,830 / 109.2 13,940 / 96.1

23 / 34.22 15,890 / 109.6 14,330 / 98.8

5.5 / 139.7 HTHP

17 / 25.30

125 ksi 1,058,189 / 470,706 49,500 / 67,112

22,650 / 156.2 11,340 / 78.2

12,500 / 86.220 / 29.76 22,730 / 156.8 13,940 / 96.1

23 / 34.22 22,800 / 157.2 16,090 / 111.0

6.0 / 152.423.95–24.5 / 35.64–36.46

125 ksi 909,037 / 404,360 24,540 / 33,27117,130 / 118.1 16,140 / 111.3

12,500 / 86.226.9 / 40.03 17,130 / 118.1 14,960 / 103.2

7.0 / 177.8 23–38 / 34.22–56.55 125 ksi 947,568 / 421,499 28,000 / 37,962 14,380 / 99.2 10,460 / 72.1 10,000 / 69.0

9.625 / 244.5* 43.5 - 53.5 / 64.74 - 79.62 80 ksi 1,560,000 / 693,923 50,000 / 67,790 10,000 / 68.97 9,000 / 62.07 9,500 / 65.5