Varel International Announces Largest Presence Ever at MINExpo 2012

CARROLLTON, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Varel International announces that it will have its largest presence ever at MINExpo 2012 in Las Vegas. The company will have on display 50 drill bits including the world’s largest roller cone drill bit, the 6000 pound 44” L111.

In addition to featuring several examples of the industry’s leading blast hole drill bit, the Ridgeback Marathon® series, Varel will introduce several new technologies at MINExpo including:

• RPS™ Rotary Percussion System tools. These patented tools, under development for several years, are now being ramped up for commercial deployment by Varel. The RPS system is consistently delivering increases in rate of penetration in the range of 25%+.
• RP series roller cone drill bits. Specially reinforced for maximum life on percussion tool systems like the RPS system.
• Avenger™ series sealed bearing blast hole bits. With a total of 9 patented or patent pending features this all new blast hole offering is demonstrating dramatic increases in bearing life in applications where traditional open bearing bits are unable to achieve total drilling cost goals.
• Target™ HDD Technologies. This introduction includes an all new array of roller cone bits for use in trenchless technology and horizontal directional drilling applications. The bits all incorporate the patent pending EdgeGuard™ shirttail protection which has proven to extend bit life in HDD applications. It also includes Varel’s all new Full Coverage cutter arms. These arms are available to manufacturers of hole openers and reamers used in HDD applications.

About Varel International

Founded in 1947, Varel International is the world’s largest independent supplier in the global oil & gas drill bit market. Headquartered in Carrollton, Texas, Varel services oil & gas, mining, and industrial markets with its comprehensive suite of roller cone and fixed cutter drill bits. The company employs more than 1,000 people and has manufacturing facilities in Carrollton, Texas; Houston, Texas; Matamoros, Mexico and Tarbes, France, as well as sales offices throughout the world. Varel’s proprietary design capabilities, efficient manufacturing, and global sales force uniquely positions the company to provide high-quality drill bits that deliver excellent performance and value to its customer base. For more information, visit www.varelintl.com.