Varel International Energy Services Achieves Significant Global Expansion Milestones
New State-of-the Art Bit Plant in Russia Boosts Global PDC Production
Varel International and NewTech Services (NTS) launched one of the most modern PDC plants in the world in August with the opening of a joint venture state-of-the art drill bit manufacturing plant in Kurgan, Russia.
The new facility is at the heart of the Varel NTS joint venture which aligns Varel’s high technology engineering and manufacturing with the strength of NTS in drilling technology, infrastructure, market knowledge, and customer requirements.
Centrally located to facilitate rapid bit delivery across Russia, the Kurgan plant incorporates the most advanced global technologies and tools for manufacturing and servicing oil and gas drill bits for the Russian CIS market and beyond. Staffed with key personnel who trained at Varel manufacturing facilities in France, the Russian plant increases global Varel PDC drill bit production by approximately 20 percent.
At the official opening ceremony in Kurgan, Varel International Vice President of Eastern Hemisphere Operations Bernard Pontneau told Russian dignitaries and business leaders, “We are proud of this new venture, and we are sure that it will become a significant part of our global manufacturing network.”
The August 2nd grand opening was attended by the Administration of the Kurgan region, Russian oil and gas company representatives, and leaders of drilling and oilfield services companies. It was followed up by a visit to the facility from the US Consul General Michael Reinert on August 24th.
Tarbes, France, PDC Manufacturing Plant Gains HSE Certification
Following an intensive, week-long HSE audit in June, Varel’s PDC drill bit manufacturing plant in Tarbes, France, successfully achieved Level 1 certification from Det Norske Veritas (DNV), one of the world’s leading certification bodies and registrars.
The certification effort began last year after DNV provided Varel with an MP150 referral, which is the documentation describing what is necessary to obtain certification.
According to Patrick Boivin, Eastern Hemisphere Manufacturing Manager, attaining the Level 1 certification at the Tarbes plant is the first result of a focused, long-term strategy.
”One year ago, we started this project, driven by Jean-François Dolinski, HSE manager and supported by Bernard Pontneau,” Patrick said. “Today I’m proud to announce our success with level 1 certification. We now have an action plan for the next 24 months to reach level 2 of 4.”
Patrick attributes the success to a team effort, and said, “I would like to thank Bernard and Jean-François and all the employees that participated in this certification audit.”
Varel Receives Standing Ovation for Bit Donation to Nicaraguan Water Well Project
When Varel donated ten 6 3/4″ mining bits to the Rotary Club of Tulsa for a water well drilling project in Nicaragua last month, 500 of Tulsa’s business leaders stood to cheer the company with a standing ovation.
Richard Spears, Vice President, Spears & Associates, who formally presented Varel’s bits to the Rotary Club on August 15, noted that the last standing ovation given at this Rotary Club was for T. Boone Pickens earlier in the year.
”Varel built a LOT of good will in the Tulsa business community today,” Spears said following the presentation. “Thanks for making this happen.”
The bits will be used in the Nicaraguan Water Well Drilling Program begun by the Rotary Club of Tulsa in 2000, with the goal of providing potable water to the poor who live in the villages of Nicaragua.
Downhole Products Presented With Queen’s Award
Leading casing accessory and completion tool company Downhole Products has been presented with a prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise – the UK’s highest accolade for business success and the second time the company has received the award.
During a recent visit to the company’s headquarters at Portlethen near Aberdeen, Scotland, Lord Lieutenant of Kincardineshire Carol Kinghorn presented Downhole Products managing director Ian Kirk with a piece of glassware to mark the award. It recognizes the company’s outstanding achievement in overseas trade which has seen revenue grow 134% in the last three years, surpassing performance which led to Downhole Products’ previous Queen’s Award.
Commenting on the presentation, Downhole Products managing director Ian Kirk said, “Once again we at Downhole Products are very honored to be recognized for our achievement in overseas earnings growth. “Not only have we seen our revenues grow exponentially throughout the world, our workforce has almost doubled over the same period which is very important today. By continued investment in our people, R&D, and increased worldwide facilities, we look forward to ongoing success and to keeping Downhole Products at the forefront of technology.”
Downhole Products is a world market leader in the design, manufacture and supply of casing accessories and completion tools such as Centralizers, Pen-O-Trator Reamer Guide Shoes and ‘Grippy’ Cable Clamp Protectors. The most recent addition to their product offering is CaseBit, a joint development with American parent company Varel International, which incorporates patent pending features designed to ensure effective drilling and smooth drill-out for the following string.
In addition to the Portlethen headquarters, Downhole Products also operates bases in the Middle East, Asia, USA and Australia. The company recently marked a new era in its ongoing global expansion with the opening of a $6 million factory in China.
Downhole Products Opens New Factory in China
Downhole Products in July marked the opening of a 300,000 square foot purpose-built factory in China which will provide additional manufacturing capacity to that of existing locations in the UK and US. The company has had a manufacturing presence in China for six years.
The new $6 million factory in Xian, Central China, includes research and development facilities and is expected to be a “flagship in the development side of the business,” according to Downhole Products managing director Ian Kirk.
”It will help us to rapidly increase our product portfolio due to the high standard of service and technical ability on offer there,” Kirk said. “The Middle East and Asia are growing areas for us and it is our philosophy to create products as near to the market as possible.”
He said the decision by Downhole Products to open the Xian factory demonstrates the company’s ongoing commitment to the region. Already the new factory has brought more than 200 jobs to the local area, with a further 100 people to be recruited later in the year as new product lines are added.
Post Show Recaps
Asia Pacific Drilling Technology Conference, July 9-11, 2012, Tianjin, China
Varel International participated in the Asia Pacific SPE conference and exhibition in Tianjin, China in July. This was Varel’s first trade show appearance in China and it generated a good deal of interest from major China national oil companies, both onshore and offshore operators. Our booth was visited by representatives in attendance not only from China but from the US, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, and Indonesia as well.
MINExpo, September 24-26, 2012, Las Vegas, NV
The company’s mining and industrial drill bit business was highlighted at the recent MINExpo show. This quadrennial show is the largest in the world of mining. It was also Varel’s largest trade show effort ever. Company representatives from around the world showcased Varel products including our leading Ridgeback Marathon line, our all new sealed bearing Avenger line, and our groundbreaking Target HDD Technologies bits and cutter arms.
The revolutionary RPS (Rotary Percussion System) was on display in two different sizes. This emerging technology generated strong interest across the spectrum of blast hole drilling customers.
A real highlight of our show was the display of the “World’s Largest Roller Cone” drill bit, the massive, 6000 lb L111 which is used in Varel Oil & Gas operations in the Middle East. Customers were afforded an opportunity to have their picture taken with this bit and provided with a copy of the photo in a commemorative frame.
Varel’s global mining and engineering team emphasized they are truly “Dedicated to Drill Bits” by displaying over 50 drill bits. Customer reaction to our display validated the hard work and efforts required to assemble the display of Varel technology and served to confirm how we have earned the position of market leader in the mining world.
SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, October 8-10, 2012, San Antonio, TX
This show, which highlighted unconventional hydrocarbon activity in the booming West Texas region afforded Varel International another opportunity to present our leading technologies. This show saw the introduction of our all new Voyager series PDC bits. These products are especially designed for steerable assemblies and are engineered to tackle build, hold, and lateral sections. They are especially suited to “one bit” well programs which seek to drill the entire section out from under surface with a single bit. The SPE show also featured the selection of tools offered by Downhole Products including Spir-O-Lizer, and Spir-O-Mizer centralizers, Pen-O-Trator Reamer Guide Shoes, and ‘Grippy’ Cable Clamp Protectors.
Source: www.varelintl.com