Downhole Solutions

Northstar Solutions

Northstar’s downhole solutions are comprised of individual tools assembled into unique systems to meet your downhole challenges. We recognize that each downhole challenge requires a different approach, which is why we developed four main solutions that address a large number of needs of our clients. When a new challenge arises, especially as we work in new and evolving industries, the Northstar team builds custom solutions using the high-quality tools we’ve developed over 40 years of experience in downhole testing. Check out Northstar’s solutions and if you don’t see what you need, get in touch today.

Multi-cycle Annular Pressure Operated DST1

Multi-cycle Annular Pressure Operated DST

Used in cased-hole drill stem tests where the well has already been cased and the formation of interest is behind the casing, the multi-cycle annular pressure operated DST solution delivers invaluable data, including Formation Pressure (P*) and temperature charts for Pressure Transient Analysis (PTA), production rates for gas and liquid, and much more. It also allows for maximum well control. 

Inflatable Packer System

The Inflatable Packer System isolates an open hole interval. It can be configured with one (Bottom Hole) or two packers (Straddle). The Inflate Straddle configuration is capable of multiple resets allowing independent testing or treatment of multiple intervals with one trip in the hole.

Inflatable Packer System2
Custom Solutions (1)

Custom Solution

Northstar supports over one hundred downhole tools. Our team of in-house professional engineers are continually designing new downhole equipment and our Downhole Specialists are continually creating new tool combinations (solutions) for different industry applications. Northstar also has an HPHT Deep Well Simulator capable of re-creating virtually and downhole scenario to validate the design prior to running in a live well.

Open Hole: Inflate Straddle

Open hole inflate tests utilize a pair of interval spaced packers which are inflated using annular fluid to isolate the formation of interest. This type of testing is adaptable to a wide range of conditions. Inflate testing is the most time and cost-effective method used to isolate multiple formations during a single run in the hole.

Open Hole Inflatable Straddle2 (1)
Bottom Hole Compression1

Open Hole: Bottom Hole Compression

Bottom Hole Compression or Conventional drill stem tests use compression-set packers set above the formation, with tail pipe (drill collars or hevi-wate drill pipe) below the packers to the bottom of the hole. Placing weight on the tool string compresses the packers creating a seal before hydraulic valve opens, allowing the formation to flow.

Cased hole drill stem tests (DST) are conducted after the well has been cased and the formation of interest is behind casing. The casing is perforated by wireline perforating guns or with tubing conveyed perforating (TCP) guns connected to the bottom of the DST string to open the casing to the formation. The DST tool assembly is run at the bottom of the temporary production tubing or drill pipe (work string) and used for downhole well testing (inflow testing) and stimulation (injection).

Open Hole: Inflate Straddle

Open hole inflate tests utilize a pair of interval spaced packers which are inflated using annular fluid to isolate the formation of interest. This type of testing is adaptable to a wide range of conditions. Inflate testing is the most time and cost-effective method used to isolate multiple formations during a single run in the hole.

Open Hole: Bottom Hole Compression

Bottom Hole Compression or Conventional drill stem tests use compression-set packers set above the formation, with tail pipe (drill collars or hevi-wate drill pipe) below the packers to the bottom of the hole. Placing weight on the tool string compresses the packers creating a seal before hydraulic valve opens, allowing the formation to flow.

Inflatable Packer System

The Inflatable Packer System isolates an open hole interval. It can be configured with one (Bottom Hole) or two packers (Straddle). The Inflate Straddle configuration is capable of multiple resets allowing independent testing or treatment of multiple intervals with one trip in the hole.

Custom Solution

Northstar supports over one hundred downhole tools. Our team of in-house professional engineers are continually designing new downhole equipment and our Downhole Specialists are continually creating new tool combinations (solutions) for different industry applications. Northstar also has an HPHT Deep Well Simulator capable of re-creating virtually and downhole scenario to validate the design prior to running in a live well.