Saft Wins Order from Weatherford

Saft of Valdese, North Carolina, has signed a $3 million contract with Weatherford International to supply its LSH 20 HTS lithium-thionyl chloride (Li-SOCl2) battery packs for measurement while drilling (MWD) tools. The batteries must perform up to +125C and endure very high vibrations (20G rms) for a lengthy period (typically 24-48 hours).

The batteries (called “staves” by the oil drilling industry), built with LSH 20 HTS cells, power the MWD tools as they measure tilt, vibration, temperature, pressure and rock formation. The data are reported back to the surface for analysis. It is critical to maintain full power so that drilling can be adjusted for maximum effectiveness.

Also, Saft’s Paris, France, office says its NCX NiCd batteries have been selected by AT&T Inc. to provide backup service for parts of its wire-line network.

NCX technology is designed for modern tele-mmunications networks that use a large number of remote network terminals in the digital fiber loop. These terminals are typically without environmental control, and several hundred thousand are installed in suburbs and small communities.