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DIFF Subclass Not Allocatable
E21B

EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS

Introduced: September 1968

Description

E21B encompasses drilling techniques, equipment, and systems for accessing subsurface resources including oil, natural gas, water, and mineral deposits. This subclass covers drilling apparatus (rigs, bits, pipe strings), well construction methods, borehole management, and extraction technologies for both solid minerals (ores, salts) and fluids. Related technologies include mud systems, pressure control, wellbore stabilization, and completion equipment used throughout the drilling and production lifecycle.

Of 31 combined children, 30 exist in both systems.

1 codes are CPC-only extensions.

Note: 1 CPC extensions are marked as secondary classification only.

10 shared codes have differing titles between IPC and CPC.

Child Classifications

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  • E21B 28/00 Vibration generating arrangements for boreholes or wells, e.g. for stimulating production ( for transmitting measuring-signals E21B47/14; for geophysical measurements G01V1/02) since 1995 IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
  • E21B 35/00 Methods or apparatus for preventing or extinguishing fires IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC

Top Applicants

Top Applicants (IPC)

Class E21,2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT

  1. HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES GROUP US 26,607
  2. PETROCHINA COMPANY 14,382
  3. SINOPEC (CHINA PETROCHEMICAL CORPORATION) 10,137
  4. CNPC (CHINA NATIONAL PETROLEUM CORPORATION) 6,517
  5. BAKER HUGHES US 6,269
  6. SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY US 5,929
  7. SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY SA 5,880
  8. SOUTHWEST PETROLEUM UNIVERSITY 4,477
  9. CHINA UNIVERSITY OF MINING AND TECHNOLOGY 4,357
  10. SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY NL 4,219

Top Applicants (CPC)

Class E21,2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT

  1. HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES GROUP US 27,652
  2. SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY SA 7,755
  3. PETROCHINA COMPANY 7,025
  4. BAKER HUGHES US 6,589
  5. SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY US 6,151
  6. SINOPEC (CHINA PETROCHEMICAL CORPORATION) 4,443
  7. SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY NL 4,255
  8. CNPC (CHINA NATIONAL PETROLEUM CORPORATION) 3,991
  9. SERVICES PETROLIERS SCHLUMBERGER FR 3,300
  10. SCHLUMBERGER CANADA CA 3,086