Global Tubing LLC, Dayton, Texas, says that it has begun producing coiled tubing from its new $15-million manufacturing and service complex.

Global Tubing chairman and chief executive officer C. Robert Bunch says, "Our commitment to delivering advanced coil tubing technology and unmatched customer service is readily apparent throughout our new facility. We have assembled some of the best, most experienced people in the industry with the resources and technology needed to create products of the highest possible quality and customer value second to none."

The company also tests and repairs tubing at its five-building headquarters in Dayton, 45 minutes from Houston. It uses a patent-pending friction stir-welding process to join strip ends.

Global Tubing vice president of operations Rodney Bond says, "The fatigue life of a string of coiled tubing is reduced by the use of conventional arc welding techniques. Friction stir welding addresses this issue. The base material is softened by frictional heat into a plastic state and "stirred" together without the necessity of filler material. Benefits of this step-change technology include improved fatigue life, better joint reliability and less susceptibility to galvanic corrosion.

"Additionally, the friction stir welding process is inherently safer and has none of the adverse environmental effects of the traditional arc weld. In addition to friction stir welding, the company also employs the latest tube milling, inspection and service technology available today."

Global Tubing's majority shareholder is ARC Financial Corp.