Case Histories – Casing Failures

  • Signa has been represented both plaintiffs and defendants for numerous recent failures of P-110 grade casing and connections. Some were due to manufacturing issues; however, our experts have shown that a high number of failures can be traced back to errors in hole design and operational misuse.
  • Signa proved that an operator did not perform a formal casing design. The operator simply used a cookie-cutter casing design from an offset well without reevaluation. Through research and testimony, Signa proved P-110 was the incorrect grade for the downhole environment.
  • Our team of experts showed improper casing-running resulted in excessive stresses. In this case, the stresses caused cold-working of the steel, which led to premature failure. The operator was responsible for the excessive operational issues that damaged the
  • A Signa expert witness testified that P-110 casing is highly susceptible to acid gases such as H2S and CO2. In this case, the operator improperly used high-strength casing in the sour gas environment. Using graphics and written verbiage, Signa explained the limited P-110 envelope in the presence of either CO2 or H2S.
  • Signa has shown (in reports and testimony) that P-110 casing and connection failures resulted from operational errors rather than manufacturing oversights, including:
    • Downhole pressure, temperature, and chemical environment
    • Tensile, compression and collapse loads, in conjunction with buckling, impact or vibration
    • Operational stress condition at the time of failure
    • Premature connection or seal failure due to improperly applied torque
    • Mud chemistry, such as free hydrogen contribution to hydrogen embrittlement or stress corrosion cracking
    • Coupling failures from improper application of thread profile or non-optimal makeup
    • Frac stimulation failure due to improperly specified pipe or high-risk wellbore geometry
    • Casing wear during operations
    • Improper handling (loading, trucking, unloading) between the mill and well site resulting in premature failure