In today’s environment of marginal operational profits for many of the world’s oil producers, using inefficient and/or ineffective methods testing for tubing collar leaks are unacceptable. We know that a single leak can lead to lost production as well as expensive delays and repairs. There are three major factors that contribute to the reliability, effectiveness and speed of tubing collar testing: personnel, equipment and process.
EXPERIENCED AND STABLE WORK FORCE
In times of industry volatility, it is challenging to maintain a stable work force. Alpha is quite proud that we are one of the very few companies to maintain our workforce during the industry downturn. In the more than 32 years we have been in business, we have kept our commitment of no layoffs with extremely low employee turnover.
Prior to 2012, Alpha served primarily the downstream and midstream markets. Given our commitment to serving the whole oil and gas industry, we are continuously seeking opportunities to expand our services to better serve the industry. Our acquisitions of Stewart’s Testing and Free State Tool in 2012, created the opportunity for us to serve the upstream market. Prior to the acquisition, both Stewart’s Testing and Free State Tool had been in business for 44 years.
Our 60+ years of combined tubing testing experience and 90+ years combined oil field experience shows in our methods, our service delivery and our knowledge and expertise. We KNOW our business. Our customers ask for our technicians over and over again, which is a testament of their experience as well as the quality of their work.
We are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, as required to meet customer needs.
RELIABLE EQUIPMENT
One of the largest complaints we hear is related to service-provider equipment failures.
Alpha has one of the largest Tubing Testing Fleets in the country. Our pre/post job equipment inspection and testing to ensure our equipment is in working order coupled with the fact that all maintenance is performed in-house ensures that our equipment is in excellent working order. Furthermore, each technician/operator knows their truck inside and out and can handle most issues that arise on the job. Additionally, our in-house machine shop builds all of our own tools including those required for special sizes and applications (e.g., drill collars with special ID).
TUBING COLLAR LEAK DETECTION TESTING SYSTEMS
Although Alpha is capable of performing both Gas and Hydrostatic Tubing Collar Testing, in some regions, we are seeing more and more companies move towards Gas Leak Detection Testing for CO2 injection. This, along with the reliability, speed and quality of our patent-pending Gas Leak Detection Process, has caused requests for this service to increase significantly. We must also point out that when you request Gas Leak Detection Testing, we guarantee that you get Tracer (Helium) Gas Leak Detection Testing and caution you to beware of claims of Gas Leak Detection Testing that are, in fact, performing Hydrostatic Testing.
GAS LEAK DETECTION TESTING (PATENT-PENDING)
Alpha (as Stewart’s Testing) perfected our current tracer gas tubing testing process for tubing collars over the past 30 years. Although other companies perform Gas Testing, we are the only one using our proprietary, patent-pending Gas Testing process.
Our Gas Testing Process is extremely fast and efficient. It can be used to test tubing sizes of 2 3/8” to 4 ½”, detects leaks at a rate of 1 ppm, and up to 40-50 connections per hour. It allows test cups to be “set” without any loss of gas and ensures 98% gas “in the void”.
It allows for the testing sample to be drawn and transported and tested inside of our Testing Truck. This enables to us to keep all sensitive components off of “the floor” and inside the truck cab protected from the elements. It also ensures that our Gas Testing Technician/Operator remains inside of the cab. This takes the responsibility off of the floor hand and clearly in the hands of our Technician/Operator.
HYDROSTATIC TESTING
For those that prefer, we can use our Water Leak Detection Testing process which can test 1 ¼” to 5 ½” tubing at up to 15,000 psi. We have performed over 7,000,000 hydrostatic tests locating over 400,000 leaks up to 15,000 psi. We are one of the few companies throughout the US capable of hydrostatic testing tubing sizes of 1 ¼” up to 5 ½”. We are able to test most any type of tubing (coated, bare, fiberglass and specialty brands such as, but not limited to, Salta and CLS.
We use a 4 to 1 gauge which allows us to locate smaller leaks than our competitors that use a 1 to 1 gauge. We use a standard one hose Test Tool for dependability and ease of operation. Drifts are built to “API” specs and we can test range I, II, and III tubing.
SAFETY
In our 44 years of performing tubing testing, we have never had an injury while using our Gas Leak Detection Testing process. During this process, no gas is trapped below the tool thus preventing tool blowouts and risk of injury to rig hands.
Additionally, our practice of using “long top packers” during Hydrostatic Leak Detection Testing, which prevents blowouts “above the slip”, is the standard practice for all of our customers and has become the performance standard expected for all vendors by one of our largest customers.
Click here to discuss your needs with a qualified Alpha associate.