People, Companies & Products

Mercury hires Mensah as new Training Manager

Isaac Q. Mensah has joined Mercury Well Control as the new Training Manager. He comes to Mercury with seven years of experience at NASA in robotics training.

Mercury has also appointed Jeremy Roemershauser as its new Vice President of Sales. Mr Roemershauser has more than 15 years of experience in the oil and gas industry and joins Mercury from Arnco Technology, where he was most recently Corporate Sales Manager in Houston.

de Coignac appointed SVP for Vallourec Group

Nicolas de Coignac has been appointed Senior Vice President Vallourec Group, President North America. In his new function, Mr de Coignac will lead all Vallourec businesses in North America and drilling operations worldwide. He reports to Philippe Crouzet, Chairman of the group.

In related news, the North America affiliates of Vallourec recently received the Total Satisfaction award among global oilfield product manufacturers in the EnergyPoint Research 2014 Oilfield Products Customer Satisfaction Survey.

Vallourec also received the highest ranking in performance and reliability, as well as eight other categories.

“This recognition is a testament to the value Vallourec brings to our onshore and offshore customers,” Ronny Clark, Executive VP of OCTG Sales, said.

Clive Battisby to be new CEO of Drilling Systems

The management team at Drilling Systems and Blue Water Energy, a London-based private equity company, has bought Drilling Systems. Clive Battisby will serve as the company’s CEO, Robin Carter will continue as Commercial Director, and Ed Ramsay will remain as Sales & Marketing Director.

James Johnson to succeed George Kirkland as Chevron Executive VP of Upstream

Chevron confirmed that George L. Kirkland, Vice Chairman and Executive Vice President, Upstream, will retire from the company, effective 15 June. He will be succeeded by James W. Johnson as Executive Vice President, Upstream, effective 16 June.

Mr Kirkland joined Chevron in 1974. He was named Executive Vice President of Upstream in 2005 and elected Vice Chairman in 2010. During his career, he has held numerous assignments across the company’s worldwide operations, including leadership roles in Indonesia and Nigeria, as well as President of the North America and international upstream businesses.

Mr Johnson joined Chevron in 1981 and has been Senior Vice President of Upstream since early 2014. Previously, Mr Johnson was President of Chevron’s Europe, Eurasia and Middle East Exploration and Production Company and Managing Director of its Eurasia business unit. Past positions also include work in production operations, major capital projects, shipping and strategic planning.

Also effective with Mr Kirkland’s retirement, Joseph C. Geagea has been appointed Executive Vice President of Technology, Projects and Services (TPS). Mr Geagea joined the company in 1982. He has been Senior Vice President of TPS since the beginning of 2014. Previously, he was President of Chevron’s Gas and Midstream group, Managing Director of the company’s Asia South business unit and President of downstream operations in East Africa, the Middle East and Pakistan.

C&J Energy Services merges with Nabors’ completion and production services

C&J Energy Services and Nabors Industries have announced the completion of the combination of C&J with Nabors’ completion and production services business. The resulting combined company is one of the largest completion and production services providers in North America.

It will be led by the current C&J management team, with Josh Comstock serving as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board and Randy McMullen serving as President and Chief Financial Officer.

Caterpillar selected to power drilling rigs for Kuwait National Petroleum

Caterpillar Oil & Gas has been selected to power 17 drilling rigs owned by Kuwait National Petroleum Co. Cat 3512B land electric drilling modules will be installed on the drilling rigs, which comprise of both new and rebuilt rigs. Each Cat unit will provide 1245 ekW (50 Hz) of rated power. The rigs are being constructed in China and shipped to Kuwait. The first rigs were shipped to Kuwait last December and are currently in operation.

Caterpillar also announced that 76 Cat 3500 land electric drive drilling modules have been selected to power 18 land drilling rigs to be built in China and operated in the United Arab Emirates.

Joseph Cantu named Orion’s new Operations Manager

Joseph Cantu has assumed the role of Operations Manager for Orion Drilling Co. Mr Cantu will oversee turnkey and daywork operations for the South Texas and West Texas regions.

Mr Cantu has 39 years of oilfield experience and has a natural gas engineering degree from Texas A&M Kingsville. He has served in a variety of engineering roles for Apache Corp, Hunt Oil, EOG Resources, Anadarko and Conoco.

Cameron appoints Rounce as VP Marketing and CTO

Justin Rounce has assumed the newly created position of Vice President, Marketing and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) for Cameron. Mr Rounce will be responsible for strategic marketing, communications and all aspects of research and development. He will also lead the company’s technology innovation program and will coordinate the advancement of customer-focused product development across Cameron’s operating segments.

Products

Well Control School releases e-learning coiled-tubing course

Well Control School (WCS) has released its supervisor-level IADC WellCAP-accredited coiled-tubing course through its e-learning program, System 21 e-Learning. This course uses advanced instruction and workshops on pressure control methodologies in coiled-tubing operations. The course, designed for experienced coiled-tubing supervisors, operators and assistant operators, uses instruction and workshops to train students based on the latest methodology and industry standards for well intervention in coiled-tubing operations.

“As many oil and gas companies seek to improve operational efficiencies and reduce costs, this course provides a cost-effective way to obtain critical training,” WCS President Ed Geissler said. “A key benefit of this course is that it’s web-based and available 24/7, so students can take the class at their convenience without incurring the travel time and expenses associated with attending classroom training.” Participants who successfully complete and pass the course will receive The WCS and IADC WellCAP Coiled Tubing Supervisor Level certifications, along with 3.7 continuing education units.

New glove padded by thermoplastic rubber

Southern Glove has introduced the Arma Tuff Armadillo Glove, designed for the oil, gas and mining industries. The glove has a one-piece thermoplastic rubber padded back to protect the back of the hand, fingers and thumb.

Ultra-high temperature MWD, RSS launched

Schlumberger has launched the TeleScope ICE ultra-high temperature MWD service and PowerDrive ICE ultra-high temperature rotary steerable system (RSS). These new technologies enable standard drilling operations in reservoirs with extreme temperatures, expanding the applications and the range of the PowerDrive RSS and Scope measurement services.

The PowerDrive ICE RSS is the only commercially available RSS rated to 200°C (392°F). Together with the TeleScope ICE MWD service, these technologies make up the industry’s first 200°C bottomhole assembly. The technologies have been field tested in the Gulf of Mexico, Mexico, Malaysia and the Gulf of Thailand.

Click here to watch DC’s exclusive video with Matt Crump, Product Line Manager-Composites for Weatherford, as he discusses the company’s new TruFrac composite frac plug.

Antelope Oil Tool launches cementation centralizer

Antelope Oil Tool has developed the CentraMax series, a centralizer design that enhances standoff and efficiency in cementing operations. The CentraMax improves efficiency for operators by maximizing stand-off percentage while reducing drag with minimal impact on flow area and equivalent circulating density. It also improves safety by allowing the centralizer to pass through tight spots without compromising standoff.

3M releases new full body harness for fall protection

3M has released a new fall protection full body harness line developed with 3M’s stain repellent, Scotchgard Protector. The protectant is applied to the fibers of the new Economy Harness webbing to help repel liquids and prevent stains. Rated to 400 lb, the Economy Harness line has expanded size offerings including XS, Universal and XXL. Easy-to-adjust straps make it adjustable for many body sizes, shapes and weight. The X-shaped backplate paired with lanyard keepers help reduce potential entanglement for workers at height and makes donning and doffing easier.

Flow loop testing completed for new rotary steerable system

APS Technology has completed prototype flow loop testing for the SureSteer 475-rss rotary steerable system at the company’s Wallingford, Conn., drilling laboratory. Successful operation of the steering mechanism was confirmed over a wide range of drilling parameters and at rotary speeds up to 200 RPM.

The new RSS was created to complement the SureSteer 675-rsm rotary steerable motor. While the rotary steerable motor incorporates an integrated power section, the RSS is designed to be run either below a drilling motor or driven directly from the top drive, as required.

The SureSteer 475-rss steering head houses steering pads; directional measurement and control electronics; and the electrical and hydraulic power systems, which are driven by an integrated turbine alternator system. The RSS is designed to maximize build rate and can operate at a high rotary speed.