Page 14 - MEOG Week 30

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opportunity in the region, Justus believes. “Our clients here have set very aggressive targets – Saudi Aramco’s IKtVA 70 per cent
local production by 2021 and 30 per cent exports by that time to develop their supply chain. Even in the UAE, the Emiratisation
and the ICV programme is gaining ground with the government is pushing for more local content.
“We have been partnering with Omani operators like Petroleum Development of Oman (PDO) and Occidental Petroleum to provide technology to enable production.
We have a big project in Kuwait with Kuwait Oil Company to install pumps in their new production facility for heavy oil. We also have collaboration centres in Kuwait in conjunction with KOC for production facilities.”
to err is human. Even with safety guides and certi cations, rigs fatalities are not uncommon. Justus says that this can be alleviated by simply reducing exposure to the ‘red zones’ in the rig area. Weatherford
is constantly developing tools and so ware to minimise risks. StabMaster is one such automated system that transfers pipes in the rigs without human involvement. “We have a Saudi Arabian client deploying that technology because safety is a priority for them and they are installing them as a standard on all its rigs.”
Again, VERO’s conventional system automates the nal makeup and evaluation of pipe connections on land and water rigs. e conventional system reduces human input and physical work to enhance safety. Because o shore rigs are more expensive, e ciency is vital to the project.
e adoption of ‘green’ agenda and sustainability in the Middle East has led to the development of additional gas pockets in the region.
Justus mentions that gas projects in the region look encouraging. Weatherford has some gas-speci c technologies that help its clients develop the wells and be more
e cient. “Gas wells are highly pressurised. Weatherford’s VZero technology seals the wells better in high pressure. is sealing allows the clients to deploy those tools in gas wells that have higher pressure. is tool is popular in the Middle East.”
As Saudi Arabia focuses on unconventional gas activity, Weatherford is also shi ing towards o ering related services. A leader
in well production technology in the US
for unconventionals, Weatherford now has several projects related in the kingdom to enable that production.
Even as there is a big push towards sustainability, oil and gas will continue to dominate the energy matrix for years to come. And with that thought, Justus is very con dent that Weatherford will continue to grow and thrive in the region. WeatherFord
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Week 30 30•July•2019