12 months, 2 new product launches, 58 installations, 6 remote trainings, and the certification of another 35 operators, we’ll look back on 2021 as the year of the good, the digital and the autonomous. As the year draws to a close, we want to reflect and tell you why 2021 has been such an important year for Ace Oil Tools.
The good
Where better to start than with the good? Top of the list is not one, but two new product launches. Adding the Ace Ratchet Collar Force (ARC-Force) and Ace Control Line Clamp (ACLC) to our portfolio this year has significantly strengthened our hand.
ARC-Force
With the ARC-Force, we give the option of a more compact collar, with the same extraordinary holding force of over 50,000 lbs.
ACLC
The ACLC streamlines control line clamping operations, reducing the time and personnel required in the most dangerous area of the rig during control line operations – the red zone. (we’ll talk more about this in the autonomous… so keep reading!)
Together, they offer further innovation in downhole tools for our customers as part of our drive to revolutionise the efficiency and safety of oil and gas operations.
This year also saw us return to in-person events – one good thing that we couldn’t wait to do. Our first event since a partial return to normality during the pandemic was OTC in Houston in the late summer. Our VP of the Americas, Mike Moffitt, enjoyed meeting with customers, friends, and key industry figures alike. Since then, we’ve been able to attend more conferences and events including ATCE, ADIPEC, and closer to home, Stavanger Oilmen’s Golf Tournament.
The digital
Now to the digital and what we believe is the future of sustainable and effective operations – virtual installations and training.
In a time when the value of remote working practices has never been more evident, we have seen the majority of our customers grasp our virtual offerings with both hands. In fact, 78% of our operations took place remotely in 2021.
With virtual training and installations taking place in 35 countries across the globe, we’ve been offering our customers the latest downhole technologies without the time costs or environmental impacts associated with on-site operations. By reducing travel-related CO2, we have reduced our overall CO2 emission by 50% since 2018.
In 2021 we continued to develop our digital, remote, and sustainable operations, and this will only strengthen in 2022 as we pursue wider environmental goals.
The autonomous
As we mentioned, earlier this year we launched one of our most exciting technical innovations - the ACLC and semi-autonomous installation arm.
The ACLC was developed for the purpose of revolutionising on-rig safety. With the knowledge that the red zone is the most dangerous area on-rig, we set out to combine our enabling innovative tools with the latest autonomous technology to reduce the people and time that would be required in this zone.
With the semi-autonomous arm, rig workers only need to load the arm which then affixes the ACLC with the control lines to the tubing. There is no need for dangerous hands-on work with the tubing. As a result, the overall time in the most dangerous area of the rig, the red zone, can be cut by 30%, while the number of staff in the zone can also be cut by 50%.
The ACLC is part of our ongoing goal to revolutionise and develop the safety of downhole operations. We will continue to use all the tools available to us to do so, including the power of robotics.
To 2022 and beyond…
So, as we draw to a close on our final blog of the year, we now look forward to all that the new year has to bring. In 2022, we’ll be welcoming 10 years of Ace Oil Tools with a continued focus on new markets, new ventures, and further development in our environmental goals. Approaching this significant milestone is a source of great pride for the entire team.
As we close out our ninth year, we’d like to thank all those who have supported us throughout the journey – through the good, the digital, the autonomous and everything in between. Here’s to many more successful years.
Now all that’s left for 2021 is to wish all our colleagues, customers, and friends a happy and healthy festive period and new year from all of us at Ace Oil Tools.
Comments