EVRAZ North America Announces New Semi-Premium Connection, EVRlock Connections Brand and Microsite

CHICAGO (July 30, 2014) – EVRAZ North America is pleased to introduce a semipremium connection and announce its new EVRlock connections brand. The company has manufactured its successful QB2 premium connection since the late 1990's, and has now expanded its product line with the EVRlock QB1-HT semi-premium connection.

EVRlock QB1-HT uses the same proven thread form as the EVRlock QB2 premium connection, but replaces the metal-to-metal radial seal with an axial shoulder, making it ideal for high-torque applications like long-reach horizontal drilling and thermal liners. The positive torque shoulder eliminates the need for torque turn monitoring, resulting in cost savings and improved runnability. Make-up is simple and repeatable. Additional features include a rugged thread design that resists cross-threading and stabbing damage, a reverse load-flank hook thread with a thread compound relief groove, and greater than 100% pipe body efficiency in compression and tension.

With over 20 years of success in the field, TWCCEP qualification and a gas-tight seal, the EVRlock QB2 premium connection is ideal for enhanced thermal oil recovery applications as well as growing unconventional shale plays. EVRlock connections are available in a variety of wall thicknesses and grades in a full range of sizes from an outside diameter of 4-1/2” up to 10-3/4”.

"We have worked extensively with our customers to better understand how our products are used in the field and we’ve utilized that knowledge and our technical expertise to develop the EVRlock QB1-HT semi-premium connection," said Kelly Smith, Vice President, Sales and Business Development – OCTG Canada. "We are confident that our EVRlock connections provide the reliability and flexibility required in today's challenging drilling environments."

A new microsite, www.evrlock.com, provides complete information on the EVRlock product line. It also features an interactive tool customers can use to determine the performance data of a given product based on size, grade and wall thickness/weight.

EVRAZ North America is a wholly owned subsidiary of EVRAZ, one of the largest vertically integrated steel and mining businesses in the world. The company produces more than five million tons annually of flat, long and tubular steel products for major markets including infrastructure, defense, energy and rail. Operations are located in Portland, Ore.; Regina, Saskatchewan; Pueblo, Colo.; Calgary, Camrose and Red Deer, Alberta. The company also owns 20 recycling facilities and is the number one producer of large diameter pipe and rail in North America, a leading producer of steel plate and the largest producer of OCTG in western Canada.