Hardide Regulatory News (HDD)

3 Sep 2007 07:01

Hardide PLC03 September 2007 Press Release 3 September 2007 Hardide plc ("Hardide" or "the Company" or "the Group") Hardide secures Weatherford as new customer in UK and US Hardide plc (AIM:HDD), the provider of unique surface engineering technology,announces that it has secured approved supplier status and subsequent ordersfrom Weatherford International Ltd., the global oil services group. The orderswill be fulfilled in both Hardide's UK and US manufacturing facilities. Hardide's unique tungsten carbide-based component, which is proven todramatically extend component life and reduce downtime by increasing wear andcorrosion resistance, is being used by Weatherford in a number of downholedrilling and completion applications in harsh environments around the world.Hardide has been working with Weatherford for over a year on the engineering andtesting of solutions to improve the performance of these parts and furtherapplications are currently in test. In the UK, the Company is supplying Hardide-coated bearing pins for use inexpandable completion systems for Weatherford. Tests have proven that theHardide-coated pins last up to four times longer than with the previous coatingprocess. Jim Murray-Smith, Chief Executive of Hardide plc said: "We are very pleased toadd Weatherford to our expanding oil and gas customer portfolio in both the UKand US. It is a prime example of a large service company which is at theforefront of encouraging new technology and innovation, and is able to workconstructively with companies like Hardide to develop solutions that optimiseits product performance. "The engineering and testing process is necessarily lengthy for components thatplay such a critical role in the exploration and production process. However,Hardide is at various stages of testing or supply with the top tier of globaloilfield service companies in the UK and US which is testament to the positiveresults that the coating is delivering and the ever-growing interest we aregenerating. Hardide offers an unprecedented combination of hardness, toughness, low frictionand chemical resistance when applied to components made from steel, alloy andother materials. Together with features such as its ability to coat internalsurfaces, it is proven to outperform alternative technologies across manymeasures. Oil and gas applications include cylinders, nozzles, pins & bushes,balls and seats, bores, valve components and drilling tools. Hardide's coatingis widely used around the world in aggressive wear or chemical environmentsprimarily in the oil and gas, valve, pump and aerospace industries. Hardide Coatings Limited is a Hardide plc (AIM:HDD) company. The company hasproduction plants in Bicester, Oxfordshire, UK and in Houston, Texas, USA - Ends - For further information:Hardide plcJim Murray Smith, Chief Executive Tel: +44 (0) 1869 353 830jmurray-smith@hardide.com www.hardide.com Seymour PierceNicola Marrin Tel: +44 (0) 20 7107 8000 Media enquiries:AbchurchChris Lane / Hugo Jenkins Tel: +44 (0) 20 7398 7700chris.lane@abchurch-group.com www.abchurch-group.com Notes to Editors The Hardide Technology The Hardide coating process is performed in a Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD)furnace and is applied to customer supplied components which are heated to 500degrees depending on the substrate and the application. Once at the desiredtemperature, a controlled mixture of gases is pumped into the furnace. In thefurnace chamber, a chemical reaction takes place between the gases whichcrystallises on the surface of the components producing a smooth layer ofbinder-free tungsten carbide coating with abrasion, erosion and chemicalresistant characteristics. This process enables all parts of the componentincluding internal surfaces to be coated. Weatherford International Ltd. Weatherford International Ltd. (NYSE:WFT) is one of the largest global providersof innovative mechanical solutions, technology and services for the drilling andproduction This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange