Meeting all Saudisation requirements, SOG is focused on being a primary driver for the kingdom’s Vision 2030 and Aramco’s IKTVA programme

Safari Oil & Gas (SOG) was established in 2007 as a standalone company owned by Safari Group and is currently managed by a team with more than 30 years of operational experience from Saudi Aramco.

SOG’s strength lies in its quick response to clients with optimal engineered solutions for pipelines experiencing internal and external corrosion, says Majid Al-Rehaimi, head of SOG’s sales and marketing.

The company also prides itself on its ability to respond to leaks and provide appropriate sealing solutions that prevent fires, production loss, and costly shutdowns without any interruption to operations. Subsea inspection for pipeline and concrete structures supported by footage is also a service it provides.

Meeting all Saudisation requirements, SOG is focused on being a primary driver for the kingdom’s Vision 2030 and Aramco’s IKTVA programme, by establishing local manufacturing facilities (through joint ventures) which produce and provide innovative technologies and services, he says.

SOG specialises in the use of composite systems (made from epoxy impregnated fibreglass and carbon fibre) utilised to restore the mechanical properties of corroded pipelines (onshore and offshore), and concrete structures to their design capacities.

The fibreglass systems are also used to reinforce and protect structurally sound pipes for horizontal directional drilling (HDD) and micro tunnelling (MT).

In 2017, the company acquired exclusivity for GCC distribution from Pipeotech, a Norwegian company which produces the Delta V-Seal (DVS) – a metal gasket the can be manufactured from different types of steel. Each gasket is produced from the same type of steel as the flanges which the gasket will be installed on, Al-Rehaimi says.

Earlier this year, SOG signed an exclusive Agency Agreement with Newtesol, a Spanish company which provides internal weld overlay services using Inconel 625 - a nickel based super alloy known for its resistance to corrosion and oxidisation.

During Q3 of this year, SOG signed another exclusivity agreement with Clock Spring Company Inc (CS) for the distribution and application of CS’s composite repair systems.

When looking at SOG’s track record for the year, the company successfully secured four Long Form Contracts for the repair of corroded and leaking pipes at multiple Sabic affiliates, and one of Aramco’s joint ventures.

Additionally, multiple potential failures that could have resulted in fires were eliminated in several local hydrocarbon facilities. As a result, these clients were able to dodge costly shutdowns, emergencies, and the high costs associated with mitigating such cases, he notes.

Furthermore, the company successfully won an opportunity as a subcontractor for Aramco’s Ras Tanura Re-rout Programme, providing Abrasion Resistant Overlay services using a fibreglass system for HDD and MT. To date, this project consumed close to 18K sq m of fibreglass.

During October of this year, SOG participated as a Silver Sponsor during Bahrain’s 17th Middle East Corrosion Conference. During the event, Shaun Ahern, a CS representative, delivered a technical paper on the use of fibre reinforced polymers to strengthen damaged civil structures. During the same month, the company participated in two more events, namely NACE’s 1st Non-metallics Conference in Oman (as a Platinum Sponsor) and a workshop held by SA in Udhailiyah. During these two events, Al-Rehaimi delivered a technical paper on the different types, uses, applications, and benefits of composite repair systems. Moreover, SOG will be participating as a Gold Sponsor in the upcoming MAINTCON Exhibition taking place in Bahrain from November 25 to 28, 2018.

Finally, SOG intends to continue acquiring new partnerships with innovative international manufacturers and service providers to become a one-stop-shop for the kingdom’s oil and gas, hydrocarbon, petrochemical, and water industries. By doing so, the company aims to further support the development, growth and progression of Saudi Arabia as a leading country in the global economy.