HOUSTON - BJ Services Co. recently announced the expansion of its tubing and casing running operations to the Marcellus shale fields of Pennsylvania, West Virginia and New York, according to a news release. The expansion includes a facility now in Muncy.
BJ has carried out casing and tubing running services on behalf of nearly every shale play operator on a variety of horizontal and lateral wells in difficult terrain under severe winter weather conditions. One benefit to customers of dedicated casing and tubing running services, the news release said, is the enhanced assurance that the casing will be properly torqued, minimizing chances of later concerns about joint-to-joint integrity. The development improves customers' environmental stewardship as well as the longevity of the well.
BJ Services' tubular services group launched its Marcellus Shale expansion program in West Virginia in August 2008. Since that time, the group moved to a larger facility in Grafton, W.Va.
Article Photos
Since it commenced operations in the region, the group has completed nearly 230 casing and tubing running, and thread cleaning services. Most recently, a series of operations using BJ's special truck-mounted pickup-and-lay-down units were completed on behalf of several operators in heavy snowfall.
The increased demand for casing and tubing running services in the region has led to the opening of new BJ Services bases to support tubular services operations. The base in Grafton, W.Va., houses a full complement of state-of-the-art casing and tubing running equipment and a workshop.
BJ recently opened a second base in Muncy to support operations in Pennsylvania and New York.
Heading up the tubular services team in Grafton and Muncy is Neil Kimbler, North East operations manager for BJ Services' tubular services group, who is responsible for all tubular services operations in the region.
"It's an exciting time for us. We are now fully operational in West Virginia and Pennsylvania," said Kenny Watt, BJ Services vice president of tubular and completion assembly services. "With the two bases, we can mobilize on short notice, saving time and money for our customers."
