Two independent oil and gas service companies specialising in the management of drilling fluids on drilling installations are merging, creating a stronger international business that places greater emphasis on environmental compliance.
Aberdeen headquartered QTEC Energy Services and Calgary headquartered Performance Fluid Management (PFM) have joined forces in a move that will provide oil and gas operators and drilling contractors globally with a more comprehensive on and offshore service.
The new company, FOCUS, will be headquartered in Aberdeen, Scotland, and operate three regional business units covering the Americas; Europe, the Middle East and Africa; and Australasia.
These regional business units will operate from the firms’ existing premises in Houston, Aberdeen and Perth respectively, while offices in Calgary will also be retained. All existing personnel will remain with FOCUS, which will have a combined workforce of 60.
Merging the companies to create FOCUS came about after clear synergies between the two were identified. Both companies specialise in optimising the performance of drilling fluid systems on drilling rigs in order to eliminate surface spills and reduce operators’ costs. In addition, QTEC provides regulatory compliance, and environmental planning and permitting advisory services.
Established in 2004, PFM has primarily focused on land drilling projects, undertaking work throughout the world including North and South America, Russia and China. While QTEC, established 1992, has concentrated on offshore projects, completing work in most of the world’s oil and gas provinces.
Chairman of QTEC, Colin Manderson, will hold the same role in the new company. He said: “There are a lot of synergies between the two businesses, so it was a natural fit to bring them together. In the current market, which is challenging and will remain that way for some time, both businesses have experienced growth. There are opportunities for this to continue and the services we offer will be designed to respond to the realities of today’s global market.
“Both companies were trusted and respected within the oil and gas industry and bringing them together has been discussed for a number of years. PFM has focused more on onshore projects, while QTEC has specialised on projects offshore. The capabilities and knowledge of both companies will deliver true benefits to our clients.”
Peter Matthews, who was president of PFM and becomes managing director of FOCUS, said: “The strengths of the two companies will build a stronger, more robust business that will provide greater depth of service to our customers. In an era of regulators tightening environmental legislation and greater emphasis on cost efficiency and collaboration there are tremendous opportunities for FOCUS.
“Within our team of 60 staff we have skilled personnel who are respected by the industry for improving efficiencies and eliminating the potential environmental risks associated with spills.
“The greatest proportion of our existing business will be based in Houston, where both firms had a strong presence. Our aim is to grow internationally – reflected in how FOCUS is structured – and also develop our services, particularly from an environmental and compliance perspective, in order to provide support through the whole life-cycle of a well.”
Headquartered in Aberdeen, FOCUS provides compliance, audit, environmental planning and permitting, and drilling fluid performance management services to oil and gas operators and drilling contractors globally. Operating as three regional business units covering the Americas; Europe, Africa and the Middle East; and Australasia, the firm employs 60 staff. The key aims of the firm’s services are to eliminate or reduce surface spills from drilling operations, optimise the performance of solids control equipment to reduce costs, and ensure environmental and governmental compliance. For more information about FOCUS telephone +44 (0) 845 213 0272.