Numerous wells in California use thermal recovery techniques to extract oil. The age of the wells combined with corrosive downhole conditions has made casing leaks a common challenge.

One operator turned to SLB to address three such leaks; the repairs had to withstand temperatures up to 380 degF [193 degC] during steam injection cycles. SLB proposed its high-temperature expandable steel patches, which are suitable for use up to 446 degF [230 degC] and ISO 14310–qualified for short-term resistance to 482 degF [250 degC]. Extreme-HT patches are also available for higher temperatures.