ROGTEC interview with Colin Duff, Regional Manager for Hardbanding Solutions
Please introduce yourself with a short bio and your history in Russia
Colin Duff, Regional Manager for Hardbanding Solutions. Based in Scotland, my area of operation includes Europe, CIS and West Africa. I promote the benefits of Duraband NC Hardbanding Technology, provide technical assistance to the drilling industry, and train local service companies to apply that technology. I visit Russia at least every three months.
How long have you been doing business in the region?
I first visited Russia in early 2009 and since then have worked in many cities throughout the country including Moscow, Tyumen, Surgut, Novy Urengoy, Samara and Yuzhno Sakhalinsk.
What are your key products for the region and their benefits?
Our premium Hardbanding product is Duraband NC. Duraband NC is a hardbanding alloy which is applied around the Tool Joints (and wear pads) of Drill Pipe, HWDP, and Collars. Duraband is designed for maximum tool joint and casing protection, and it is 100% crack free, making it the most reliable product on the market. When Duraband eventually wears, it can be very quickly and easily re-applied. Using Duraband can increase the life of drill string components by many years, resulting in cost savings of millions of dollars per string.
Do you have a specific target markets in the region? (ie Russia, Kazakstan, key regions or market sectors offshore, EOR etc?)
There are no specific regional targets for Hardbanding Solutions. We are introducing our products in every area, for any type of drilling conditions. We can provide major cost savings for Operators, Drilling Contractors and Drill Pipe Rental Companies as well as first class customer support for Hardband Applicators.
What potential is there for your products in the market?
The potential in Russia is particularly interesting for us. Many drill pipe owners are currently having tool joints repaired (build up) when they have lost diameter caused by wear in the well. This is a complicated and costly process, and it’s difficult to guarantee the strength of a repaired connection. The other option was to down grade the drill pipe from premium class and eventually to scrap it. Now there is a third option – Using Duraband NC Hardbanding before putting the drill pipe down hole keeps the Tool Joints in their original, premium condition.
How do you compare and compete with existing Russian Technology?
Since this is a relatively new technology for Russian companies, we don’t have any Russian competitors. Our mission is to explain this new technology to Russian companies and show them the cost benefits of hardbanding compared to scraping drill pipe. We work closely with Russian Drill Pipe Inspection/Service companies who apply Duraband NC. Hardbanding Solutions are renowned for the support afforded to all of our customers, which includes the training of personnel and use of our laboratory.
How do you see the market developing over the next 5 years in your industry sector?
Judging by conversations I have had with many industry professionals over the last three years, the use of Hardbanding will grow very quickly in Russia. I know of at least 5 mobile Hardbanding Application Units which have been deployed in Russia in only the last 6 months.
Do you have any recent regional success stories?
A Russian Operator recently started using Duraband NC in the Tyumen Region. The Drilling Supervisor was happy to report back that after drilling twelve, three thousand meter wells (2000 hours drilling time) the Duraband NC on their Drill Pipe was holding up very well. In fact, when we asked them to measure the wear, the reply was that there was no need as it was negligible.
One 75mm wide by 3.2 mm thick application of Duraband NC hardbanding to the Drill Pipe Tool Joint is enough to protect the entire piece. The process of applying Duraband NC is simple, safe, and fast – around 60 joints can be hardbanded in one day by one Hardbanding Machine.
Duraband NC Hardbanding is available on new Drill Pipe from all major Pipe Manufacturers. Also, there is a network of companies throughout Russia, qualified to apply and re-apply our products.
Further information and contacts can be found at www.hardbandingsolutions.com
Contact colin@mathiesonweld.co.uk
