People, companies and products
Bobby Parker retires from Parker Drilling
Robert “Bobby” L. Parker Jr has retired from Parker Drilling after 18 years as president and CEO. Over his more than 40 years at the company, Mr Parker spearheaded the development of a strong safety culture, innovative new technologies and operational procedures that advanced the drilling profession.
Mr Parker will continue to serve as chairman of the company’s board of directors until the 2014 stockholders meeting. At that time, Gary G. Rich, the company’s CEO, will be nominated to serve in that role.
With over 30 years of global technical, commercial and operations experience, Mr Rich joined Parker Drilling after a 25-year career with Baker Hughes.
Tesco acquires automated catwalk technology
Tesco Corp has acquired an automated catwalk technology from Custom Pipe Handlers Canada. The catwalk models are highly mobile and adaptable to various rig structures that offer solutions for handling pipe from the ground to the rig floor.
The catwalks also remove workhands from the critical path and eliminate pinch points, increasing the safety and efficiency of pipe handling.
Shute named Volant president; Roggensack remains as CEO
After 12 years as Volant’s president and CEO, Bill Roggensack is stepping down as president to focus on his role as CEO. Effective immediately, Dan Shute has accepted the role of president. Most recently, Mr Shute served as vice president, marketing and sales for Volant.
NOV appoints management for spinoff company
National Oilwell Varco (NOV) has formed NOW Inc to serve as the independent, publicly traded company for its previously announced proposed plan to spin off its distribution business. The proposed business intends to operate as DistributionNOW.
Merrill A. “Pete” Miller Jr. intends to step down from both his chairman and CEO positions at NOV and become executive chairman of the distribution company upon completion of the spinoff, expected in the first half of 2014. Additionally, Clay Williams has been appointed to the NOV board of directors and is expected to succeed Mr Miller as NOV chairman and CEO.
For the new distribution company, it was also announced that Robert Workman will be appointed CEO, Daniel Molinaro will be appointed as its chief financial officer and David Cherechinsky will become its chief accounting officer.
Ensco chief executive officer Dan Rabun retires
Ensco chairman, president and CEO Dan Rabun has retired after eight years with the company. Mr Rabun, who served as 2012 IADC chairman, will continue to serve in his current role until the board of directors has completed the succession process.
Mr Rabun worked to advance safety and operational excellence during his time with Ensco, a period during which revenue and stockholder equity quadrupled.
New TAM facility in Houston to double production capacity
TAM International has opened a global manufacturing facility in Houston that is expected to double its production capacity. The building includes 126,000 sq ft of manufacturing space and 17,000 sq ft of office space.
Bessell assumes role as Songa Offshore COO
Mark Bessell has been appointed as Songa Offshore’s chief operating officer. His career began with Sedco, and he remained with Transocean for over 20 years in multiple senior positions within operations, projects, technical and human resources. More recently he held senior VP positions with Ocean Rig.
Vallourec inaugurates new plant in Saudi Arabia
Vallourec has inaugurated its new premium finishing plant for oil & gas tubes in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. The unit is dedicated to the heat treatment and threading for VAM premium connections, with an annual capacity of 100,000 tons.
Tenaris purchases Brazilian joint venture interest
Tenaris has entered into an agreement to purchase the remaining 50% interest in Socotherm Brasil from Socotherm Americas, a division of ShawCor. Socotherm Brasil operates a pipe coating facility in Pindamonhangaba, Brazil, that is managed by Tenaris.
Rathert retires, Massaro named successor at Newfield
Newfield Exploration founder, executive vice president and CFO Terry W. Rathert retired in December after more than 25 years of service. Lawrence S. Massaro was named as his successor.
Mr Massaro has been a member of Newfield’s management team since March 2011 as vice president of corporate development. Prior to joining Newfield, he was a managing director at JP Morgan’s oil and gas investment banking group. He has also held positions at companies including Amerada Hess and BP.
Enteq forms integrated drilling division
Enteq Upstream has merged Extended Exploration Technology (XXT) and KM Services (KMS) to form the Enteq Drilling division. The new division will integrate technology and services from the two companies to manufacture parts and components for the directional drilling and MWD markets.
The drilling division will combine XXT’s downhole MWD equipment and KMS’ upstream MWD parts, spares and components for mud motors to enhance Enteq’s MWD and directional drilling product line.
The Enteq Drilling division is based in Houston, Santa Clara, Calif., and Calgary and will offer MWD systems, as well as other products, such as float valves, mud motor parts, sand screens, kit boxes and racks.
Cowper joins Murchison Drilling Schools
Murchison Drilling Schools has hired Tom Cowper as a lead instructor for the Houston Training Center. Mr Cowper has over 30 years of operational experience on land rigs, jackups, semisubmersibles and drillships.
Mr Cowper is certified by IADC and IWCF and will teach well control and drilling operations courses.
Products
Aker Casing Stabilizer Arm increases rig crew safety
Aker Solutions has developed the Casing Stabilizer Arm (CSA), which eliminates the need for a person to be elevated on a derrick for tubular makeup.
The CSA, which enhances Aker’s existing line of tubular-handling equipment, is designed for both offshore and onshore rigs. The stabilizing mechanism is stowed approximately 33 ft above the drilling floor and includes an internal hydraulic cylinder that extends and closes the padded jaws operated by a radio remote control. It also provides increased safety features that allow the device to interface with the rig’s anti-collision zone management system.
Mobile application provides remote health records
NuPhysicia has developed a mobile application, NuChart, that provides offshore crews with personal health records, mobile reports and notifications. The NuChart app includes secure access to basic health data features, such as vital signs, prescriptions, health indicators and lab test results for rig crews.
High-def cameras enable well diagnosis, monitoring
EV has launched its Optis HD Electric line camera, which can provide well diagnosis, saving time and reducing risks. The video technology has been designed for well integrity inspection and monitoring of downhole corrosion and mechanical damage.
The Optis camera completed 100 field-trial jobs in Canada before being commercially released in the North Sea, Gulf of Mexico, Saudi Arabia and Australia. The camera allows operators to stream video for advanced inspection of oilfield surface equipment for integrity issues. It also creates high-quality pictures downhole, allowing operators to diagnose issues, resolve them quickly and reduce future risk.
Solenoid-based Top Mount Pulser extends battery life
Tolteq has released the Top Mount Pulser (TMP) and the Integrated Suremate Centralizer to support the continuous advancement of measurement-while-drilling (MWD) technology in directional drilling.
The TMP is operational at up to 350°F (170°C). Its solenoid-based technology eliminates the need for motor drives, extending the tool’s battery life up to 400 operational hrs per battery.
The Integrated Suremate Centralizer replaces the uphole threaded end with a plug-in snubber, allowing the tool to integrate into the downhole end of the MWD tool. The design also shortens the tool string and simplifies on-bank workflow by establishing a more secure connection.
FastBack PDC bits eliminate wasted energy, control erosion
Ulterra has introduced PDC bits that incorporate the next-generation FastBack technology. The PDC bits utilize a design that improves efficiency for operators and has drilled Marcellus wells 56.8% faster.
FastBack-designed bits use a blade configuration that supports the cutters in a minimalist fashion. Its smaller profile eliminates wasted energy pushing a bit’s blade surface, focusing all energy on the diamond cutting surfaces.
The FastBack blade design is possible due to advanced surface coatings, which provide maximum erosion control without sacrificing strength. Additionally, the FastBack’s smaller blade configuration opens up the junk slot area for optimal hydraulics and enhanced cuttings evacuation. The Fastback bit’s shape also allows operators to drill longer and faster runs than conventional PDC designs.
