Aberdeen-based hydraulic engineering company, DE Hydraulics, has been awarded a service contract with global oilfield production technology and services provider, Weatherford International Ltd, worth several million dollars over the next five years.

The contract, to supply, service and recertify Blow Out Preventer (BOP) Control Units for Weatherford UK Pressure Control group, is the first such service agreement secured by DE Hydraulics.

The work will see the company service and supply various sizes of units, testing them to the very highest safety standards through survey and ignition hazard assessments.

The company will ensure they meet strict legislation set out by the ATEX Directive, which any equipment intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres must comply with.

The awarding of the service contract comes on the back of DE Hydraulics previously completing a project to supply Weatherford with a custom engineered BOP control system.

The contract involved DE Hydraulics designing and manufacturing the unit, which will initially be utilised within Weatherford’s West Africa operations.

The unit adheres to the very highest health, safety and environmental standards and bears a CE Marking, which certifies that it meets all relevant EU requirements.

The certification means the system be can be moved from region to region and operated in most European territories.

DE Hydraulics’ operations manager, Stewart Dalgarno, commented: “We’re thrilled to secure our first – of which we hope will be many – service agreement. We have identified service contracts as a key area of growth for DE Hydraulics in the coming period and to have our first one in place is a major, exciting development for the company.

“The experience we have working in the field of BOP closing units and systems – on new build, overhaul and modifications – has played a major role in us been awarded the work, with the contract coming hot on the heels of us completing the designing and manufacturing of the BOP control system for Weatherford.

“Adhering to the very highest international regulations relating to health and safety, the system can be moved from, for example, European to African facilities, without the need for additional testing and certification.

“The successful completion of the project once again highlights the exceptional standard of product and service we deliver and we look forward to securing similar contracts within the oil and gas arena in the coming year.”

Weatherford’s UK Pressure Control Manager, Stephen Kidd, added: "Weatheford is committed to supplying the industry with fully compliant Pressure Control Equipment that meets the demanding specifications required for its use not only in the UK Sector but also globally. This agreement with DE Hydraulics utilises knowledge and experience with regard to manufacture and certification of Control Units and their adherence to the necessary specification such as ATEX, API etc. We are pleased to be working with DE Hydraulics to ensure our customers are supplied with the necessary equipment to conduct safe operations both onshore and offshore.

Tags: DE Hydraulics