Companies in the news

BP has awarded a contract to Sparrows Group for delivery of deck operations services on the UKCS. The contract win is expected to make Sparrows the single point of contact for all lifting and handling operations across the region’s Andrew, Clair Ridge, ETAP (pictured) and Glen Lyon platforms. The scope of work includes a load handler and banksman/slinger, to support lifting operations and carry out bulk handling and management of all cargo on the assets. Additionally, it will cover helideck and emergency response functions, as necessary. Image: BP.

Weatherford International will jointly commercialize its new Mamba severe-service couplings. The sucker-rod coupling—which has been engineered to reduce production-tubing friction and wear in sandy, corrosive and deviated wells—is being co-commercialized with ExxonMobil. According to the companies, the three-year agreement to develop and commercialize the friction-reducing technology was in response to the industry’s need to minimize the failure frequency and costs related to tubing and rod-string failures caused by friction.

Under a new contract with Addax Petroleum, a Sinopec subsidiary, Airborne Oil & Gas will deliver two gas lift jumpers in West Africa. The 180-m thermoplastic composite pipeline (TCP) jumpers will support operations at Okwori field, off the Nigerian coast, for eight weeks. This contract win reportedly will result in the company’s TCP products becoming a permanent application in the region for the first time. It will allow for an improved turnaround of pipe supply, termination and installation.

Equinor and IFPEN have signed a four-year framework agreement covering provision of advanced R&D services in oil and gas technologies, renewable energies and low-carbon solutions. The agreement includes two options to renew for an additional four years. The original agreement, signed in 2013, focused on joint projects in EOR and water management. It was later extended to other activities.

Ashtead Technology has completed a subsea installation monitoring project for Ocean Installer AS in Equinor’s Askeladd and Johan Castberg fields, in the northern Norwegian Sea. Under terms of the contract, Ashtead supplied its integrated Deflection Monitoring System (DMS) services and equipment to support the installation of eight integrated template structures on the fields. Additionally, the company provided field engineers to support the operations offshore over a 25-day period. Image: Ashtead Technology.

DynaEnergetics, a DMC Global Inc. business, sold more than 1 million well perforating systems from its new manufacturing facilities in Blum, Texas, and Mt. Braddock, Pa. The DynaStage (DS) systems have been adopted as a critical well completion tool by service companies and operators working in every major unconventional oil and gas basin in North America. The systems’ safety features enable parallel operations at the well site, allowing customers to forego powering down equipment during perforating.

Hunting Energy Services has entered a strategic alliance with Jindal SAW Ltd. Under the partnership, the company will share its patented Premium Connections technology with Jindal, which, in turn, will manufacture premium seamless casing and tubing using the connections technology.

Plexus has partnered with BEL Valves to provide a complete production package to reduce repair, intervention and life-of-field costs, while also uploading the highest standards of well integrity. According to the company, the technology could save operators tens of millions in total cost of ownership (TCO) over the life of a project. The new complete wellhead and tree solution will combine the POS-GRIP “HG” wellhead with BEL Valves’ gate valve technologies to create a whole new wellhead and tree offering that targets international markets.

Oil majors Shell and BP have joined the Collaboratory for Advancing Methane Science (CAMS), an industry-led consortium helping the oil and gas sector to begin working on its first project to develop an open access oil and gas operations emissions calculator. It reportedly will estimate methane emissions at a basin level and enable operators to evaluate the effectiveness of mitigation strategies. Additionally, the group plans to evaluate new technologies to better detect leaks and characterize emissions.

Rival Downhole Tools has been awarded a five-year collaborative supply agreement for drilling motors from a major oilfield services provider. Under terms of the contract, the company will support its growing directional drilling business. Additionally, it will accelerate growth of its operations into multiple basins. With this contract award, Rival reportedly manages one of the largest active drilling motor fleets in North America.

MInteg, an EnerMech subsidiary, reportedly has secured its largest contract to date. Under terms of the contract, MInteg will supply inspection services to a major oil and gas operator in the southern North Sea. The scope of work includes the inspection of infrastructure on five manned platforms, as well as several unmanned satellite platforms. According to the company, this is a seven-figure sum contract win, which is a result of its innovative working practices and strong local presence in Great Yarmouth. After opening a regional office in Great Yarmouth last year, the company says it will create another 15 positions to accomodate its newest contract win. Image: MInteg.

Swire Oilfield Services has moved into the Mexican market via a strategic partnership with Whittaker Engineering. The agreement will see the supply of offshore containers and equipment to support Mexico’s growing energy market. Whittaker Mexicana will offer a full range of Swire Oilfield Services’ DNV 2.7-1 certified units, including offshore containers, baskets, waste skips and tanks to support drilling campaigns across Mexico.

Locus Bio-Energy Solutions has opened a new innovation center in Houston. The 7,117-ft² facility features a laboratory for the customization and deployment of the company’s AssurEOR biosurfactant treatment program across Texas. This is the company’s third expansion. According to the company’s CEO, the new innovation center is a key part of its strategic growth plan.