May 2004
As part of its preparations, ADC has embarked on building two new giant gas drilling rigs at a total cost of over SR 200 million. These rigs are expected to be in operation extensively in the drilling of gas wells during upcoming exploration of the hydrocarbon wealth. "We are in touch with the IOCs and hope we will be able to seal agreements with them at the beginning of 2005", said Mr S. A. Saab adding that ADC is now preparing itself to participate in the gas development projects.
ADC has currently a fleet of 11 oil and gas drilling rigs in operation including 7 on land and 4 offshore, which are supported by a highly qualified and experienced team of engineers and technicians. Its onshore fleet ranges from medium to ultraheavy rigs, capable of handling the most challenging drilling programs.
These rigs are also designed to work in harsh climatic conditions. ADC’s off- shore unit consists of a self-propelled multi-purpose service vessel (MPSV) providing well intervention and well testing services.
BUSINESS WILL COME IN PHASES
Highlighting his company’s experience, Mr S. A. Saab claimed that ADC had drilled oil and gas wells in almost every field developed by the Saudi Aramco throughout the Kingdom. The company’s most recent significant contribution was in the development of the Shaybah, Haradh and Khafji Joint Operation (KJO) fields. "Being an experienced firm, we are capable of participating in the development of upstream gas projects," observed Mr. S.A. Saab.
He said that the upstream gas initiative would yield a lot of businesses for local firms, contractors and service providers, but these business opportunities will come in phases over the next 5 years. He explained that Saudi companies would gradually get engaged in the projects as sub-contractors and suppliers of equipment and services from the period of exploration until commercial marketing of the extracted natural gas. "Business will reach its peak only after the start of commercial marketing of the gas," added Mr S. A. Saab.
When asked, he pointed out that the new gas initiative would also create a lot of employment opportunities for the local youth. But he cautioned that these job opportunities could not be availed of unless local youth are trained properly. He stressed the need for starting new training programs by both government as well as Saudi companies looking for business opportunities in the gas projects.
TRAINING FACILITIES
Highlighting ADC’s training facilities, he noted that it recently undertook two training programs-the Technical Development Program (TDP) and the Supervisor Development Program (SDP) at its own training center located at Dhahran. These training programs are aimed at preparing ADC staff in order to provide better services to the oil and gas projects.
TDP mainly provides basic training for running a drilling rig while SDP is designed to give a technical school graduate apprentice training in his chosen field on a drilling rig. ADC is now looking for fresh graduates from colleges, technical colleges and industrial schools to join the company as trainees, said Mr S. A. Saab.
ADC is a joint venture between Industrialization and Energy Services Company (previously owned by Petromin) and Services Petroliers Schlumberger. It was established in 1964 to provide drilling services to the Saudi oil and gas industry. It has currently over 700 employees, of which 66 percent are Saudis ( Company contact: Arabian Drilling Co., E-mail: saad@al-khobar.oilfield.slb.com, Tel.: 03-8872020).
As part of its preparations, ADC has embarked on building two new giant gas drilling rigs at a total cost of over SR 200 million. These rigs are expected to be in operation extensively in the drilling of gas wells during upcoming exploration of the hydrocarbon wealth. "We are in touch with the IOCs and hope we will be able to seal agreements with them at the beginning of 2005", said Mr S. A. Saab adding that ADC is now preparing itself to participate in the gas development projects.
ADC has currently a fleet of 11 oil and gas drilling rigs in operation including 7 on land and 4 offshore, which are supported by a highly qualified and experienced team of engineers and technicians. Its onshore fleet ranges from medium to ultraheavy rigs, capable of handling the most challenging drilling programs.
These rigs are also designed to work in harsh climatic conditions. ADC’s off- shore unit consists of a self-propelled multi-purpose service vessel (MPSV) providing well intervention and well testing services.
BUSINESS WILL COME IN PHASES
Highlighting his company’s experience, Mr S. A. Saab claimed that ADC had drilled oil and gas wells in almost every field developed by the Saudi Aramco throughout the Kingdom. The company’s most recent significant contribution was in the development of the Shaybah, Haradh and Khafji Joint Operation (KJO) fields. "Being an experienced firm, we are capable of participating in the development of upstream gas projects," observed Mr. S.A. Saab.
He said that the upstream gas initiative would yield a lot of businesses for local firms, contractors and service providers, but these business opportunities will come in phases over the next 5 years. He explained that Saudi companies would gradually get engaged in the projects as sub-contractors and suppliers of equipment and services from the period of exploration until commercial marketing of the extracted natural gas. "Business will reach its peak only after the start of commercial marketing of the gas," added Mr S. A. Saab.
When asked, he pointed out that the new gas initiative would also create a lot of employment opportunities for the local youth. But he cautioned that these job opportunities could not be availed of unless local youth are trained properly. He stressed the need for starting new training programs by both government as well as Saudi companies looking for business opportunities in the gas projects.
TRAINING FACILITIES
Highlighting ADC’s training facilities, he noted that it recently undertook two training programs-the Technical Development Program (TDP) and the Supervisor Development Program (SDP) at its own training center located at Dhahran. These training programs are aimed at preparing ADC staff in order to provide better services to the oil and gas projects.
TDP mainly provides basic training for running a drilling rig while SDP is designed to give a technical school graduate apprentice training in his chosen field on a drilling rig. ADC is now looking for fresh graduates from colleges, technical colleges and industrial schools to join the company as trainees, said Mr S. A. Saab.
ADC is a joint venture between Industrialization and Energy Services Company (previously owned by Petromin) and Services Petroliers Schlumberger. It was established in 1964 to provide drilling services to the Saudi oil and gas industry. It has currently over 700 employees, of which 66 percent are Saudis ( Company contact: Arabian Drilling Co., E-mail: saad@al-khobar.oilfield.slb.com, Tel.: 03-8872020).
© Saudi Commerce and Economic Review 2004
