Alcoa Aluminum Alloy Drill Pipe (AADP ?) Selected by Fugro for Offshore Drilling Projects
Lightweight aluminum allows doubling of offshore operating depth
Alcoa
Oil & Gas, an Alcoa (NYSE:AA) business, will supply 5,300 meters
(17,400 feet) of Aluminum
Alloy Drill Pipe (AADP ?) to Fugro McClelland Marine Geosciences of
Houston and Fugro Singapore PTE, LTD for use in offshore geotechnical
survey drilling projects. Fugro McClelland Marine Geosciences is a world
leader in marine geophysics and seafloor mapping in support of resource
development, engineering and scientific projects.
Fugro will use Alcoa′s 5-inch diameter AADP ? for global, offshore,
geotechnical surveys in water depths ranging up to 3,000 meters (1.8
miles). These surveys are a critical first step in determining whether a
site is geologically suitable for a particular application, such as
construction of offshore oil and gas drilling or production platforms.
Alcoa′s drill pipe is composed of high-strength, aluminum alloy tube
connected by a proprietary thermal joining technology, which enables
conventional steel tool joints to be used with an aluminum alloy pipe
body. This innovative coupling of aluminum and steel provides a strong
yet lightweight solution for deep water drilling resulting in increased
cost efficiencies.
'We decided to use Alcoa Aluminum Alloy Drill Pipe because it is
approximately half the weight of steel, allowing us to double our
offshore operating depth,? said Ken Taylor, Operations Manager, Fugro
McClelland. 'Another factor in our decision was Alcoa′s status as a
worldwide leader in aluminum, which can support our efforts with
advanced metallurgical technology and innovation.?
Alcoa produces the aluminum tubes at its Lafayette, Indiana, facility.
'Fugro′s decision to use Alcoa′s AADP for such a critical application is
a testament to our core value proposition, which is to extend the
drilling range of existing assets,? said Jay Grissom, Marketing Director
of Alcoa Oil & Gas.
Alcoa′s AADP ? was also successfully used in complicated deep water
drilling applications by Brunei
Shell Petroleum Co. Sdn. Bhd., offshore Seria, Brunei, to a total
depth of 7,485 meters (4.6 miles) in about 60 meters (197 feet) of water.
About Alcoa Oil & Gas Inc.
Alcoa Oil & Gas Inc. ('AOG?) is a division of Alcoa, the world′s leading
producer of primary and fabricated aluminum, as well as the world′s
largest miner of bauxite and refiner of alumina. The company produces
lightweight, high-strength aluminum alloy drill pipe in 4-1/2?, 5?,
5-1/2?, 5-7/8? and 6-5/8? diameters. In addition, AOG manufactures
subsea riser components and assemblies, casing, core barrels and down
hole tubular products, conveying pipe, extruded tubing and shapes, and
offers large-scale closed-die forging capabilities.
About Alcoa
Alcoa is the world′s leading producer of primary and fabricated
aluminum, as well as the world′s largest miner of bauxite and refiner of
alumina. In addition to inventing the modern-day aluminum industry,
Alcoa innovation has been behind major milestones in the aerospace,
automotive, packaging, building and construction, commercial
transportation, consumer electronics and industrial markets over the
past 125 years. Among the solutions Alcoa markets are flat-rolled
products, hard alloy extrusions, and forgings, as well as Alcoa ? wheels,
fastening systems, precision and investment castings, and building
systems in addition to its expertise in other light metals such as
titanium and nickel-based super alloys. Sustainability is an integral
part of Alcoa′s operating practices and the product design and
engineering it provides to customers. Alcoa has been a member of the Dow
Jones Sustainability Index for 11 consecutive years and approximately 75
percent of all of the aluminum ever produced since 1888 is still in
active use today. Alcoa employs approximately 61,000 people in 30
countries across the world. More information can be found at www.alcoa.com.
About Fugro
Fugro′s mission is to be the world′s leading service provider for the
collection and interpretation of data relating to the earth′s surface
and sub-surface. The company also provides associated services and
consultation in support of infrastructure development on land, along the
coast, and on the seabed. Fugro′s activities are carried out across the
world, onshore, offshore and from the air, and primarily serve the oil
and gas industry, construction industry, the mining sector, and
governments around the globe. For more information, please visit the
company′s website at http://www.fugro.com.
Alcoa
Investor Contact
Kelly Pasterick, 212-836-2674
Kelly.Pasterick@alcoa.com
or
Media
Contacts:
Monica Orbe, 212-836-2632
Monica.Orbe@alcoa.com
or
Alcoa
Oil & Gas
Marian Lowes, 216-641-5557
Marian.Lowes@alcoa.com