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LORD Corporation

With more than 3,100 employees in 26 countries, 19 manufacturing facilities and 10 R&D centers worldwide, we're there for our customers.

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Telescopic Joint (Slip Joint) Packers

Drill longer, without interruption. TJ packers certified to second edition API 16F and manufactured using wear-resistant nitrile - designed to last 20x longer than standard nitrile. 

Our API 16F second edition certified TJ packers are developed under strict process and quality controls to ensure that each part is manufactured consistently, with a strong bond. This attention to detail coupled with our elastomeric formulation capabilities and deep expertise in rubber-to-metal bonding, makes LORD TJ packers more reliable than the competition. With more reliable seals, you can drill longer without interruption, allowing you to drill multiple wells on just one set of TJ packers. Customers report that LORD TJ packers have demonstrated a field service life exceeding 12 months.

How can we help you?

Our team of engineers are specialized in developing solutions to solve issues encountered during offshore drilling. Please provide a few details on what you're looking to accomplish so we can connect you with the appropriate engineering manager. 

Features and Benefits

  • Field-proven: wear-resistant nitriles outlast the standard nitriles employed in many TJ packers today
  • Low actuation pressure enables operating primary packer on rig air supply
  • Compatible with water: retains 90% of tensile strength in swell testing, compared to only 10-15% for polyurethanes
  • Improved quality via our manufacturing techniques, process control, and rigorous quality standards
Product Brochure
  • Stable, reliable bonds, ensuring packers function properly even after an extended storage period
  • Our hyperelastic FEA modeling optimizes design
  • Inner and outer packers stocked for all OEM riser styles for quick turnaround
  • 12-month in-service warranty

API 16F 50K Wear Test Results

API 16F Second Edition subjects packers to extremely high friction, since the inner barrel is not lubricated during testing. Our in-house testing machine, overseen by third-party inspectors, allows us to perform the full range of API 16F testing on our wear-resistant nitrile packers. During wear testing, LORD packers lost less than 0.75% elastomer mass, compared to a pass/fail criterial of 10%. This chart shows the results of our testing against competitor packers, conducted in 2019.  

                           *Lost ability to maintain pressure seal prior to 50K cycles.

Telescopic Joint (TJ) Packer Second Edition API 16F Certification

LORD TJ packers undergo abrasive testing to complete API 16F second edition certification.

Head-to-Head Comparison: Better Wear Resistance at Lower Operating Pressures

API 16F 50,000 cycle wear test results

50,000 Cycle Complete Wear Test

We conducted API 16F wear testing, comparing part performance between a LORD packer and a competitor's packer. API 16F wear testing could not be completed to the full 50,000 cycles on the competitor’s part due to premature failure. At 22,000 wear test cycles, the competitor’s packers developed a leak, requiring an increase in the actuation pressure on the competitor’s parts. By 45,000 cycles, the competitor’s packers were leaking severely enough that testing could not be completed.

Hydrostatic test chart measuring actuation pressure versus bore pressure between LORD and competitor TJ packers

Lower Operating Pressure

When testing LORD TJ packers vs. the competitor’s TJ packers, we found the LORD packer system required a much lower actuation pressure in order to seal, meaning you can operate the upper packer on rig air supply at most bore pressures. For instance, to seal a 25 psi bore pressure, LORD parts only required an applied pressure of 70 psi, whereas the competitor’s parts required 125 psi or more. In fact, we had to “shock” the competitor’s packers with a higher pressure to get them to seal initially.

Abrasion Comparison Chart between standard and wear-restraint nitrile

Wear-Resistant Elastomer Development Background

Laboratory and field-tests have confirmed that our wear-resistant TJ packers last longer than the standard nitrile packers used in many slip joints today. In abbreviated wear testing to 6,300 of the 50,000 cycles specified in Standard API 16F, our packer had no measurable wear, whereas a standard packer lost 7% of its thickness. Field-test results demonstrated that the wear-resistant TJ packer lasted 20 times longer than a standard TJ packer. Customer feedback shows LORD TJ packers have demonstrated field service life of over 12 months.

White Paper: Wear-Resistant Nitrile

Elastomer Thickness Comparison Chart

                 *The difference between the pre-test and post-test condition was not large enough to determine the change in thickness or weight.

 

Testimonials

Global rig contractor, Brazil Operations

"Since the OEM switched to LORD packers, we have had the same packers in service for over three years without replacement."

 

Subsea Engineer, India

"The upper slip joint packer saw 4 months service and although it was still holding, we followed our plan to replace it. Surprise, surprise – the removed packer was just like new – 98% good. This good result was what we were aiming for."

Global offshore rig contractor

"We require our rigs to only use LORD TJ packers on our Cameron telescopic joints."

Deepwater rig pool
INFOGRAPHIC

How Improved Elastomers are Reducing Downtime for Deepwater Rigs

Deepwater rigs use telescopic joints, or slip joints, to connect to a drilling riser and accommodate vertical motion from vessel heave. The elastomeric seals in these joints experience extreme friction, resulting in material loss. Seals designed with LORD wear-resistant nitrile have been shown to last 20X longer than traditional nitrile. See how rigs are improving operations, reducing downtime and saving money with TJ packers featuring LORD wear-resistant nitrile.  

View Infographic
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Resources

White Paper: Wear-Resistant Elastomer
Deepwater drilling contractors face extensive downtime for the replacement of elastomeric seals on floating rigs. LORD wear-resistant elastomers can improve the performance of seals, resulting in improved uptimes and reduced rig maintenance.
Product Brochure
Product details for LORD TJ packers, designed to seal against the inner barrel of the slip joint.
DNV API 16F Type Approval Certificate
ABS API 16F Type Approval Certificate

Design Engineering Expertise, Strong Materials and Manufacturing Capabilities

Our strong foundation and technical knowledge in elastomer formulation enables us to create solutions that outperform the competition and continue to exceed customer expectations. Let us help you create a solution to solve problems encountered during offshore drilling. 

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