Milestones.

 

December 2011: New State Of The Art Machining Technology.

We have recently added two new Doosan lathes to our workshop capacity bringing the total investment in new machining equipment this year to over £635K. The PUMA 2600Y and the PUMA 3100XLM both feature “live tooling” capabilities which allow product components that require both milling and turning operations to be fully machined in one operation.
Although these new machines require significantly more initial investment than a standard CNC lathe the additional cost for the live tooling capability is justified by the significant time savings realised in reduced manufacturing time.

September 2011: Graeme McRobb Appointed As Chief Operating Officer.

Omega are delighted to announce the appointment of Graeme McRobb as Chief Operating officer. Graeme has over 30 years’ experience in the oil & gas industry having previously held senior roles with companies such as Petroline, Weatherford and Tendeka. Graeme will bring additional experience to key aspects of the business and will enhance various management systems to contribute to our planned growth.

August 2011: Omega Move Into New Purpose Built Headquarters.

We have recently completed our relocation to our new purpose built facility located on Kirkhill Road Dyce. In addition to the new building we have also invested heavily in additional machine shop capacity. The recent acquisition of four new lathes and milling machines has further enhanced Omegas` already formidable in-house production capacity.

June 2011: New Patent Granted.

U.K. Patent Number 2442136 was granted to Omega on the 8th of June 2011. This patent relates to our new Erodable Pressure Barrier technology which is a unique patented concept developed by Omega. One application of the technology can be seen in our new Erodible Barrier Plug that acts as a 5,000 psi pressure barrier that can be run as part of the tubing string or lower completion to provide pressure isolation. This may assist in packer setting, pressure testing the tubing and other operations.

April 2011: Interventionless opening of well barrier after 93 days.
As part of a recently completed workover program for a UK operator, an Omega Pressure Activated Equalising Valve (PA-EV) was successfully functioned open, 93 days after being initialised and installed in the well. The 5,000 psi rated PA-EV was successfully installed below a 4 1/2“ packer set at 7460 ft measured depth. The valve was utilised to provide a deep set testable well barrier to allow the work over of an existing well to take place. Previous work over operations had resulted in excessive amounts of both kill and loss circulation fluids being lost to the formation. Utilisation of the Omega PA-EV resulted in no losses of fluids to the formation, mitigating the risks associated with loss of kill fluids during hydraulic workover operations. The PA-EV was modified to maximise the available flow areas and be left in the well during the production phase of the well, as the construction of the well did not permit wireline access below the ESP assembly, post recompletion.

 

January 2011: New Omega Bridge Plug.

The agreement for supply of bridge plugs from our Norwegian partners has been unexpectedly terminated by them. Accordingly, the Omega designed and developed Bridge Plugs and Gauge hangers will now be offered alongside appropriate items from other suppliers. We have honoured the agreement for some years now with non commercialisation of the Omega products during this period. Many positives emerge from this change to benefit our customers, namely our engineering expertise may now be brought to bear on existing and future products within this range.

September 2010: BP Sandface Valve Contract.

Omega have been awarded an order for the supply  of our latest design of Command Activated Sandface Valves from BP. The Command Activated-Hydraulic Frac Valve (CA-HFV) variant utilises the same field proven technology whilst continuing to provide the benefits associated with sequential clean up. This design of valve has been designed to permit selective fracturing operations to be carried out later in the life cycle of the well, as per BP’s well engineering requirements.

August 2010: Pressure Activated Equalising Valve Success.

A high pressure variant of Omega’s already field proven Pressure Activated Equalising Valve (PA-EV) was successfully installed, functioned and recovered as part of a work over program for a UK independent operator. The 10,000 psi rated PA-EV was installed below a 7.00" retrievable packer and was used as a well barrier to allow the removal of the Xmas Tree and subsequent BOP installation. With the BOP’s in place and tested, the valve was remotely equalised to allow wellbore circulation and tubular recovery operations to commence.
The use of the PA-EV saved the client approximately 6 hours rig time and reduced the potential risk to the operator by removing the requirement to rig up slick line to equalise and recover the plugging device.

July 2010:

A change to one of our Norwegian clients well schedule, resulted in Omega being requested to deliver a 5 ½” Tracer Deployment Valve in a reduced delivery period of 7 weeks. This equated to a 60% reduction in the standard lead time for these products and was only achievable due to Omega having its own fully operational manufacturing facility. The valve components were manufactured, assembled, tested and delivered on schedule, resulting in no slippage to the clients ongoing well operations.   

May 2010:

Omega’s Downhole camera was mobilised as part of subsea intervention campaign for an independent client in the UK. The excellent images obtained at a temperature of 98.9 deg C, provided evidence to the client of the current status of the retrievable downhole component. The use of the Omega memory camera system provided our client with a significant cost savings as there was no requirement for electric line services or personnel.

March 2010:

U.K. Patent Number 2426771 was granted to Omega on the 17th March 2010. This patent is for a Retrofit Safety Valve allowing wells which have a damaged control line or other hydraulic integrity issues to resume production when fitted with this type of device. The safety valve is a critical part of the well equipment and any issues with it will require the well to be shut in. Unlike other retrofit systems which rely on parts of the old system or are service intensive, the Omega system allows for a completely new installation in an old well removing any doubt about the long (and short ) term integrity of the system.

January 2010:
The purchase of new premises in Kirkhill Road is confirmed. "Omega House" will be refurbished and additional warehousing facilities built during 2010 allowing us to hire many more staff needed for the next stage of our growth.

December 2009:
Omega is working as preferred supplier on a global 5 year work programme to a major North Sea operator for the supply of Sandface valves.

September 2009:
Omega have now installed their new in house P.C.B. manufacturing facility. Manufacture of electronic and mechanical systems has always been done in house with the production of bare P.C.B's being contracted out. Production batches of P.C.B's will continue to be sub contracted but this in house facility allows us to quickly produce one offs, specials or provide an alternative in the event of supplier failure.

July 2009:
The 70th completion valve supplied operates to provide a 100% track record. Command Activated Sandface Valve No. 34 operates as programmed and on time on the 15th of July. The 100% track record for these tools compliments the similar 100% track record for all 36 Clean Out Valves supplied to date. Both tools are similar and share major electronic and actuating mechanisms.

July 2009:
U.K. Patent Number 2429995 was granted to Omega on the 22nd of July, 2009. Although Omega hold over 18 patents, this patent for "Downhole Signalling" is potentially the most significant. Covering a novel technology which allows commands to be transmitted to a downhole tool, patent No. 2429995 describes how a tool may be signalled to open, close or a variety of other instructions without the use of control lines, fibre optics or any other fixed hardware but simply by changing the flowing well profile versus a time base.

Many tools exist which rely on a command from surface transmitted by "pumping" up the well and Omega pioneered this technology in the early 1990's, however, this new technique can work in any well whether fluid or gas without the need of any surface equipment other than the existing wellhead.

March 2009:
The last of 21 Sandface Valves installed in three different wells for BP West of Shetland has successfully operated on time and as expected on Friday the 6th March. BP has now experienced 100% success from all the valves installed. The initial two wells required 5 1/2" Timer Activated Sandface Valves but for the last well, we have supplied 4 1/2" Timer, 4 1/2" Command Activated and 4 1/2" Electronic Liner Shoe Valves.

In each case, opening has either been verified by improved well performance or by P.L.T. data. Additionally, the first well has now been subjected to well performance improvement work which involved closing and subsequent re-opening the S.F.V's as part of an investigation to better understand the reservoir. The Sandface Valves are now the main component in the new completion design which eliminates the requirements for an in line barrier valve removing the requirement for contingency milling.

As all this equipment is newly developed, Omega consider this to be no small achievement given the outstanding success of the development project and value achieved by BP. Omega are proud to be the only company with an integrated multi discipline team covering mechanical design, electronic design, manufacturing and product delivery to operate in the U.K. Well Technology sector.

June 2008:
A busy order book has once again resulted in further machine shop investment this month. Our new Doosan 280L has a 630mm maximum swing, is 1078mm between centres, has a 76mmm spindle bore, and is equipped with a Fanuc 21iT Control. 10 position turret. It is also compatible with FAPT PC based control.

May 2008:
Pressure Transient Analysis Data Collected By the Use of a Retrievable Gauge Hanger in Saudi Arabian Gas Wells. Saudi Aramco is now using a Retrievable High Expanding Gauge Hanger®, which has been designed incorporating a large by-pass flow area to minimize restriction in the wellbore. The tool can be run through smaller ID tubing and set in larger ID liners and is designed for the memory gauges to hang below.

The tool is run on slick line and set using a non-explosive hydrostatic setting tool. Retrieving the tool is easy utilizing a standard JDC Pulling Tool. High levels of H2S and CO2 in some Saudi Arabian gas wells required the re-useable hanger to be made from an Inconel® material.

April 2008:
We are delighted to announce the successful deployment of the new HEX386-700 High Expansion Retrievable Bridge Plug for Chevron on the Alba North Platform. The HEX386-700RBP allowed for a retrievable bridge plug to be deployed past a 4.688” restriction at the tubing hanger and set shallow in the 7.00 29lbs/ft Tbg.

After the successful deployment and workover was completed, only 2 hours was taken to retrieve the HEX386-700 allowing Chevron to quickly move to the next phase of their programme efficiently.

April 2008:
A second large new Doosan D400 C.N.C. lathe was installed this month in order that our machining capacity will keep up with the demand for our tools and systems. April was a record month for machine shop output with almost £1.2 million worth of orders placed for tools to be manufactured. The Puma 400B is especially suited to large and heavy pieces of completion equipment such as those found in our Clean Out Valves and our Sand Face Valves, which both form part April's order book.

September 2007:
Another C.N.C. machining centre featuring a 1.3 metre bed is acquired and installed this month to help keep pace with our orders. The new machine is a Dugard Eagle and is particularly suitable for large completion type components.

July 2007:
BP have awarded a contract to Omega for the provision of Sandface Valves for installation in West of Shetland wells. The SFV allows selective start up and unloading of a new well allowing and enhancing clean up of poorer zones before the better and more prolific zones contribute.

June 2007:
Malcolm Adam joins Omega as Business Development Manager. Malcolm has a great deal of experience not only in completion and wireline equipment but also in a managerial and problem solving role gained during his time at Halliburton, Petroline and most recently, Zertech. Malcolm is well known both locally and internationally for his expertise and is a trusted and familiar face to many of our customers.

April 2007:
Another three new full C.N.C. slant bed lathes have been sourced from Mills Manufacturing Technology Ltd to help satisfy our growing demand. The lathes are all Daewoo Pumas and can handle material up to 22 inches in diameter and up to seven feet long.

 

November 2006:
Mr. Erik Ruyter of Norsk Hydro commented on delivery of the 28th Clean Out Valve supplied, "Norsk Hydro are delighted with the performance from these COV tools as they have consistently operated reliably and have saved Norsk Hydro considerable expense, not only in capital equipment costs but also in saved rig time." These welcome comments come as an additional batch of COV tools are being prepared for another North Sea customer.

 

September 2006:
Maturity of four products with successful run histories allows us to post their data sheets on this website. These are the Linear Jar, the Four Position SPOT Tool, our Protection Sleeves (which have been around for more than 8 years) and our Tracer Subs.

August 2006:
Another order for Tracer Subs received this month highlights the value of this product to operating oil companies. The Tracer Sub releases chemicals which are detectable in the oil / water flow in parts per billion. Presence and nature of the trace detected at surface provide valuable flow and water cut information relating to heel and toe production in laterals and other remote applications.

July 2006:
David Coull joins Omega as a Well Systems Engineer. Dave previously worked for Weatherford in the Far East in a similar sales role and spent considerable time with Halliburton prior to that. The experience and capability which Dave brings with him allows us to further expand the Sales and Well Systems team providing enhanced contact and service to our customers which is in line with our ongoing policy of expansion.

March 2006:
Omega are commissioned by a major Norwegian oil company to engineer a fully redundant plugging device for installation with a bridge plug set below a whipstock. The device allows flow from a main bore to be established following drilling and completion of a sidetrack. This electronic device features two fully independent electronic circuits and actuation mechanisms to guarantee opening at the required time.

January 2006:
United Kingdom Patent granted for our “Catapult Tool” titled “Extended Reach Borehole Tool”. This tool is for charging toolstrings with kinetic energy in order to propel them deep into a deviated wellbore and is a core part of our extended reach wireline package.

Use of this package has now allowed operators slickline access to highly deviated sections of many wellbores with repeated operation in angles greater than 80 degrees at considerably less cost and disruption than all alternative solutions presently available.

December 2005:
Another two CNC machines have been purchased this month to help keep pace with our ever increasing workload. This month also sees the launch of our 4.125" Hydrostatic Setting tool, our HP / HT Setting Tool, our Electronic Equalising Valve and our all new Injection Valve. The Injection Valve features a patented damping system which prevents destruction of the assembly due to resonant vibration in high flow situations as some of our competitors have experienced.

Also in December, licensing arrangements for our Releasable Rope Socket and Unibalance mechanical cycle plugs have ceased. These products are now available directly from Omega. Building on the success of the Unibalance products, we launch our Electronic Equalising Valve to compliment the existing range.

September 2005:
Another order for our Clean Out Valves brings the total number supplied to 20. This advanced completion tool is used to reduce capital expenditure by removing the need for sand screens.

August 2005:
United States of America patent granted for the Omega Hydrostatic Setting Tool. This case was processed without any objections being raised which is unusual but very gratifying from Omega's point of view.

June 2005:
Another expansion of our business has taken place this month with additional engineers, CNC machinery, and premises being acquired. We have expanded our design engineering capability, our machining capability and have increased our office, electronics and workshop space by 50%. The expansion has been fuelled by increased demand for our advanced completion equipment and increased activity both in operational and manufacturing areas.

This most recent expansion further underlines our market leading and unique position in being able to supply mechanical and electronic design, manufacture and service in house with all the obvious benefits which that delivers for our customers.

January 2005:
Another success for the Omega High Deviation Wireline Package was recorded this month when an electric line tractor was successfully replaced on our first HDWP job in Norway. Omega E-line Roller Subs were deployed on two runs for a surface read out leak detection survey followed by a surface read out caliper survey, all electric line runs were in excess of 63 degrees deviation.

The S shaped well configuration common to this location previously required an electric line tractor for all runs but by using the HDWP equipment, large operational, financial and HSE savings have been realised by the operator.

November 2004:
Another Mazak CNC lathe and machining centre has been sourced to assist in a fourth order for multilateral Clean Out Valves from a Norwegian Operator. The intelligent two position valve removes the need for wire-wrapped screens along the length of an open hole lateral when positioned in the motherbore.

September 2004:
Agreement was reached on the 8th September between Omega Completion Technology, BTU, (a Norwegian Well Technology development company) and PI Intervention, (the Norwegian market leader in standard and custom well intervention plugging services) to form a strategic alliance.

Omega are appointed exclusive agents in the UK for sales and deployment for all BTU and PI plugging products including Standard Bridge Plugs, HP/HT Retrievable Bridge Plugs, High Expansion Retrievable Bridge Plugs, the all new range of Medium Expansion Bridge Plugs and Anchored Production Straddle systems for water isolation, retrofit gas lift, sand control and well repair.

These products complement the existing range of Omega Setting Tools and provide the most comprehensive range of plugging products available from any supplier in the UK.

July 2004:
Following unsuccessful attempts to fish a Welltec tractor and perforating string from a CNR well with a toolstring deployed on roller bogies, the Omega High Deviation Wireline Package (HDWP) was successfully deployed over multiple runs. Initially the HDWP was run on 7/32” braided line to latch on to the fish and then finally on 7-39 E-line, using greater overpull, to successfully retrieve the complete string.

May 2004:
Norwegian patent for Slickline Tractor granted. This brings the total number of granted patents to 17 with another 5 applications presently being processed.

May 2004:
A toolstring deployed with Omega roller subs and an Omega Horizontal Jar successfully achieved target depth of 17,300 ft, the last 13,000 ft at over 80 degree deviation, and with a maximum deviation of 82.4 degrees. This was performed twice with pick up weights recorded every 1,000 ft on the second run.

The purpose of the deployment was to achieve memory pressure, temperature and flow information from the target depth using an Omega Quartz pressure gauge and the Omega Slickline Flowmeter.

February 2004:
Omega Completion Technology in combination with QinetiQ and the Expro Group, working on a Shell Exploration and Production sponsored project, successfully tested a retrofitable sliding sleeve type inflow control valve, using a novel trigger mechanism coupled to a unique wireless, semi duplex electro magnetic transmission technique.

The project is the combination of many months of research and development by all partners. The valve was deployed below an Omega Gemini Bridge Plug and was run on the Omega Hydrostatic Setting Tool a number of times in the D.T.L. 3000ft test well in Aberdeen. Omega was responsible for design and manufacture of the valve, triggering hydraulics and associated electronics supporting structure.

October 2003:
Successful Qualification of Clean Out Valve (COV); OCT have developed and qualified a valve for cleaning out mud from laterals for a Norwegian Operator. The valve will be run as part of the tubing string and has large ports, open during initial cleanup of the well to avoid screen plugging, which can then be shut off after a programmed time delay of any duration.

Qualification testing involved the application of a 90 ton axial load coupled with a bending load equivalent to 10 degrees/100 ft whilst operating the valve at 75 deg C and 157 Bar. The valve was contaminated with a mud and sand mixture for the function test.Time to market for the COV from conception to qualification completion was less than 15 weeks.

April 2003:
First Hydrostatic Setting Tool run at 155 deg C.

March 2003:
UK patent granted for combined chemical injection and permanent gauge mandrel.

March 2003:
UK patent granted for horizontal jar.

January 2003:
US patent granted for lateral re-entry system.

December 2002:
First 3.6" O.D.Hydrostatic Setting Tool run on e-line.

September 2002:
First run with weight recorder for data acquisition whilst expanding sand screen.

February 2002:
US patent granted for Slickline Tractor.

January 2002:
First 3.6" O.D.Hydrostatic Setting Tool run on slickline.

September 2001:
8 consecutive runs with memory camera during multiple fishing operation.

February 2001:
11,470 ft tractored on slickline in single run.

August 2000:
UK patent granted for Production Optimisation Tool.

July 2000:
First "Run it Yourself" memory camera deployment.

July 2000:
First horizontal jar run.

July 2000:
First slickline tractor run.