SINCE the establishment of its first tubular inspection operation in Saudi Arabia in 1972, NOV Tuboscope has been a leading contributor of innovative technology and services for the exploration, drilling and production of oil and gas in the Middle East.
Working with and supporting National Oil Companies (NOC), International Oil Companies (IOC) and their service providers has been a priority since the beginning, says a Jack Dyer, NOV Tuboscope vice president, Middle East Operations.
Over the past four decades, Tuboscope has established operations in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Oman, Yemen and Jordan to support the industry with the latest tubular and corrosion control services, he says.
Although the core of its business remains unchanged with trusted brands the industry has come to know, 75 years later, Tuboscope is much more than the original inspection and coating business it was founded on, he says.
Today, a strategic global footprint with complementary product and service offerings continue to support customer’s needs with quick, safe, cost-effective solutions that help bring hydrocarbons to market faster, and aid in assuring the integrity of existing wells, flowlines, as well as drilling and production equipment.
The latest Tuboscope technology available in the Middle East is the Zap-Lok mechanical connection system for pipelines and flowlines. This high speed mechanical connection is proven safe and reliable for pipeline construction, enabling faster construction speed and reduced overall cost.
Following NDT inspection of line pipe with Tuboscope’s state-of-the-art inspection systems, pipe is internally and externally coated with advanced corrosion control coatings, and then pipe ends are prepared to Zap-Lok specifications and sent to the job site, he explains.
The life of these flowlines are increased and new wells can be hooked up to a central gathering system in days rather than weeks, bringing oil to market faster while increasing the life expectancy of the new flowline asset.
Zap-Lok is just one example of how Tuboscope’s single-source capabilities deliver ultimate efficiencies to local clients.
Safety is at an all-time high, making inspections vital. Tuboscope has the skill, manpower and equipment to carryout tubular inspection of drill pipe and drilling accessories along with critical inspections and surveys required by the drilling rig operator to help ensure safe drilling operations, he says.
Highly skilled inspectors in the Speciality Inspection Services (SIS) division use rope access to perform lifting gear inspection, critical load surveys, load testing, derrick inspection and Dropped Objects surveys to assure the integrity of the drilling equipment.
Another example of Tuboscope’s commitment to customers is the addition of tubular repair facilities at each of its Middle East tubular inspection centres.
These one-stop-shops offer everything you need for drill pipe maintenance and repair, greatly reducing the time required to return used drill pipe back into service. The first full service facility in Abu Dhabi offers drill pipe inspection, TCS hardbanding, thread repair on API and Premium connections, and TK internal coatings – reducing downtime while increasing the useful life of drilling tubulars.
Over the past 75 years, Tuboscope’s success is attributed to its customers and hardworking, dedicated employees.
