2009-11-11 01:19:08 -

PLEASANTON, CA -- (Marketwire) -- 11/10/09 -- Sub-One Technology, the market leader in advanced treatments for internal surfaces, and Smith InnerArmor Technologies ("SIAT"), announced today the successful development of InnerArmor treatments for 10-foot production tubular pup joints. SIAT is a joint venture with Smith International, Inc. ("Smith") established to provide InnerArmor solutions for Oil Country Tubular Goods (OCTG) products.
The qualification process involved extensive testing for surface consistency, wear resistance, and corrosion protection. Several field trials are now active in North America and the Middle East to further demonstrate downhole performance. Customers benefit from reduced workover costs associated with premature failures due to sucker rod wear, tubular corrosion, and other issues.



"Oil & Gas tubular customers have been forced to choose between expensive alloys or high workover costs," said Andrew Tudhope, Chief Executive Officer of Sub-One Technology. "Our InnerArmor process enables low cost carbon steel pipe to outperform expensive alloys for wear and corrosion protection in many oilfield applications. We are seeing great results from our early field trials and look forward to qualification of 30-foot tubulars in early 2010."



InnerArmor technology's unique combination of a durable corrosion barrier with a hard, wear resistant surface protects against the demanding exposure environments on the internal surfaces of oilfield tubulars. With a chemically inert, protective barrier, InnerArmor has been successfully tested in hydrogen sulfide (H2S), carbon dioxide (CO2), carbonic acid, and other corrosive environments. Its diamond-like surface is much harder than traditional steel and protects the substrate from sucker rod, turbulent flow erosion, and other wear mechanisms. Finally, InnerArmor technology is not affected by high temperature environments, such as steam flood or geothermal operations.



By solving difficult corrosion, wear and friction reduction challenges, InnerArmor surface treatment protects the interiors of critical liquid and gas handling equipment and piping. Thoroughly tested using applicable NACE, ASTM and other industry standards to validate performance, InnerArmor technology is available for production tubular pup joints through the SIAT joint venture.



About Sub-One Technology


Sub-One Technology is the market leader in advanced treatments for internal surfaces. Its InnerArmor® process applies a high performance, chemically inert, protective coating which reduces operational costs associated with corrosion, erosion and abrasive wear. Based in Pleasanton, California, the company works with a network of global coating providers to offer coating services to Fortune 500 companies in energy, automotive, and other industries. Founded in 2004, Sub-One Technology is a privately held company backed by Chevron, General Electric, Nomura, and Advanced Technology Ventures. Visit www.sub-one.com : www.sub-one.com for more information.



About Smith InnerArmor Technologies


Smith InnerArmor Technologies is a global partnership between Sub-One Technology and Smith International, Inc. to bring the wear and corrosion benefits of InnerArmor to the Oil Country Tubular Goods market. Based in Houston, Texas, Smith InnerArmor is developing the technical and manufacturing solutions to treat Range 2 tubing in the large quantities required by this market. Visit www.smith-innerarmor.com : www.smith-innerarmor.com for more information.



About Smith International, Inc.



Smith International, Inc. is one of the largest global providers of products and services used by operators during the drilling, completion and production phases of oil and natural gas development activities. The Company employs more than 21,000 employees and operates in over 80 countries around the world. Visit www.smith.com : www.smith.com for more information.
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Sub-One Contact
Dore Rosenblum
VP Marketing
Sub-One Technology
925-924-1020
Email Contact : www2.marketwire.com/mw/emailprcntct?id=1CFEBA730E7BD52A

Smith InnerArmor Contact
Mark Gore
General Manager
Smith InnerArmor Technologies
925-719-3573
Email Contact : www2.marketwire.com/mw/emailprcntct?id=61DD57EC6522E32C

Smith Contact
Shawn Housley
Director
Investor Relations
Smith International
281-443-3370
Email Contact : www2.marketwire.com/mw/emailprcntct?id=4F32DF5678474827