five years of department of energy and netl-funded research resulted in the intelliserv network and intellipipe, a drill pipe with an embedded data cable. in 2006, grant prideco bought the intelliserv technology and launched the first intelliserv network. grant prideco was purchased by national oilwell varco (nov) in 2008, and the nov-intelliserv joint venture was formed in 2009 with 55% national oilwell varco and 45% schlumberger ownership.