Record Mexican export order for well intervention specialists Wireline Engineering

Aberdeen-based Wireline Engineering has won its largest single export order to date with the recent award of a US$1 million contract to supply Pemex, the Mexican state oil and gas company, with its proprietary Roller Bogie™wireline conveyance products.

The contract was secured through wholly-owned subsidiary, Wireline International LLC, which is based in Lafayette, Louisiana and serves markets throughout North and South America.

Wireline Engineering worked closely throughout the project with Business Gateway International (BGI), which had also supported Wireline Engineering’s penetration of a number of other international markets over recent years.

Wireline Engineering’s General Manager, Bill Petrie has led the company’s export charge and commented, “As a comparatively young company, we have been delighted to lean on the support and guidance of local and national export support agencies. Being able to acquire that critical insight into new markets at a very early stage gave us a tremendous advantage and undoubtedly has made a major contribution to our recent successes in Mexico and elsewhere.”

“In particular, we are very grateful to Colin Crabbe of BGI and Mark Buckingham, one of UK Trade and Investment’s in-market Mexican representatives, who is based in Villahermosa.”

“From a standing start three years ago, we now have 80 international customers in over 40 countries. We still have a long way to go before I’d say we have fully achieved our international goals, but I think the first phase has been successfully completed.”

A significant milestone

Wireline Engineering operates from a modern facility in Blackburn, on the outskirts of Aberdeen, and employs 30 people, with recruitment plans to add a further 10 engineering employees in the near future. Export sales now account for more than 40% of turnover, with a presence established in the Middle East, SE Asia, North Africa, Europe and the Americas.

Its patented Roller Bogie™ technology enables oil and gas operators like Pemex to conduct wireline operations in highly deviated wells by virtually eliminating frictional drag. The unique tools were developed in Scotland and have been used successfully at well inclinations up to 87° and at depths below 25,000 feet, providing significant cost savings and operational benefits.

Wireline Engineering believes the Pemex contract is a significant milestone for the company.

“Our Mexican adventure has been a steep learning curve, but it shows that an ambitious local company with the right technology can compete and succeed on the global stage. The contract was won on technical specification and track record in the face of strong competition from much larger multinational companies,” observes Bill Petrie.

“Recent successes overseas and in a resurgent North Sea have encouraged us to increase our investment in R&D and we are now in the process of developing the next generation of specialised products to sustain and grow our business.”

You can visit Wireline Engineering at http://www.wireline-engineering.com