Tag: Drilling

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Schlumberger’s Quiet Moonshot

Schlumberger's Ambitious Moonshot

Schlumberger’s bid for Cameron Int’l is big news in a flinching industry.  The vision behind the deal is ambitious — even a bit brash.  It’s more than just the consolidation of two large oilfield suppliers. The technical aspects of the plan could unleash industry ripples for decades to come.

Cameron’s long-time focus has been on the “heavy iron” used in the oil patch.  Schlumberger hopes to expand on that role by creating fully integrated drilling and production systems around its various products. The idea amounts to an operating system that efficiently manages processes from downhole to delivery.

It’s an alluring concept, one that cuts across much of the upstream Continue reading “Schlumberger’s Quiet Moonshot”

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The Reluctant Rockstar

Rockstar

Until recently, if one were to side-click their way to the website of onshore drilling contractor Helmerich & Payne (H&P), they could be forgiven for assuming the company was just another run-of-the-mill driller.  Framed mostly in nondescript grey and blue, the site seemed an unfinished afterthought of a organization with better things to do.

In truth, that’s probably not too far off.  H&P has traditionally avoided heavily marketing itself, leaving the trumpeting of its success to customers and industry analysts.  Nonetheless, when you’ve earned the kind of respect the Tulsa-based company has over the years, taking pride in the presentation of your story is only Continue reading “The Reluctant Rockstar”

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The Customer Has Spoken: A Decade of Appraisals

EnergyPoint Header Image

In 2004, EnergyPoint Research first set out to discern which oil and gas equipment suppliers and service providers work best for their customers and to quantify their experiences. A decade of collecting and analyzing the relevant data has established EnergyPoint as the resolute voice of the oilfield consumer and the only curator of independent customer satisfaction ratings in the industry.

EnergyPoint started its surveys with the assumptions that customer focus drives best practices and satisfied customers feed growth. Those facts held steady. And as we culled more industry wisdom from end users, we shared with our readers and subscribers a clearer picture of the critical variables companies can focus upon to create satisfied repeat customers. We also offered insights into how customers can influence the performance of their suppliers. Continue reading “The Customer Has Spoken: A Decade of Appraisals”

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Global Shale: Potential Bonanza for Suppliers

Global Map

Shale-oil and -gas production in the U.S. has been revered by some as the fuel, engine and vehicle driving the nation toward energy independence and economic solvency. Astronomical estimates of reserves, millions of high-paying new oilfield jobs, enhanced competitiveness for American industry, greater tax inflows for state and federal governments, and incremental export revenues certainly justify the volume of discussion.

Shale has at once become both disruptive and transformative. It’s also here to stay. IEA estimates the share of U.S. shale oil and gas production to double by 2035. Continue reading “Global Shale: Potential Bonanza for Suppliers”

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Positive Change Underway at Nabors Industries

Nabors Industries Featured Image

Are positive changes are underway at Nabors Industries? The company, which currently rates Low overall but is trending Upward in EnergyPoint’s oilfield customer satisfaction ratings, seems to be undergoing a cultural and strategic transformation under the leadership of Tony Petrello, who recently replaced Gene Isenberg as CEO.

As COO, Petrello was seen by many as complicit in the strategies and ways of Isenberg. So, were not sure if these transformational steps Petrello’s own initiative, or if they stem from specific directives from an increasingly proactive board. Continue reading “Positive Change Underway at Nabors Industries”

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The Rig Equipment Blues

Dark image of a drilling rig
Today’s wells cost tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars a day to drill. Thus, few things rankle operators like slowed activity.
 

To limit downtime, the equipment on rigs receives close attention. However, EnergyPoint Research surveys show many equipment providers are missing the mark. There’s room to improve in post-sale support, availability and delivery, and pricing. Without improvements, the status quo will only entice new entrants.

Continue reading “The Rig Equipment Blues”

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Are Today’s Drill Bits Better Mousetraps?

Chart showing drill bit scores by supplier
When oilfield suppliers make outsized claims regarding a new technology or design, we, like many in the industry, can be skeptical.
 
Looking good on paper doesn’t always produce repeatable results for customers. Over-promoted offerings spawn the kinds of high expectations that lead to low customer ratings.

Continue reading “Are Today’s Drill Bits Better Mousetraps?”

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North American Land Driller Ratings Fall

North American Land Driller Ratings Fall (FI). v. 1.00

Demand for North American (NAM) land-drilling services has leveled off for the time being. A warm first half of winter and expectations for shoulder-month reductions in gas demand have given many producers pause regarding their drilling programs.

We believe a modest slowdown in activity could prove a blessing in disguise for many drillers, who could use the opportunity to regroup after a frenzied couple of years that, despite record earnings, have cost them in terms of customer satisfaction. Continue reading “North American Land Driller Ratings Fall”