Redefining wellbore physics

i-TEC’s Espen Norheim lifts the lid on how its wellbore physics and innovative solutions has resulted in a portfolio of products and services.

i-TEC has developed a comprehensive product portfolio in a short period of time. What has been i-Tec's primary drivers?
Espen Norheim. From the very beginning, part of the i-TEC identity was to provide early phase customer inclusion during the concept and engineering phase, alongside a rigid focus on optimising the project timeline from idea through to finished prototype testing. By establishing and maintaining a close dialogue with the end users and application experts, our team of inventors and design engineers can develop fit for purpose solutions that delivers as per specification and expectations quicker. The i-Tec team are experts in mechanical and hydraulic design, whilst our customers are the true application experts. The reasons why we have matured quickly as a company is because of the close cooperation with our customer, from the idea phase to a qualified product.

So with products in place, you were ready to go to market? 
EN. Some homework had to be done. In April 2008 i-TEC established an office in Aberdeen, UK, followed by one in Houston in July the same year. At the same time, the business gained its NS-EN ISO 9001:2000 certification and also obtained an Achilles qualification. Then in June 2008, i-TEC moved into new its new headquarters in Stavanger. To provide an integrated solution, we merged with PetroTools and Arctic Technology to form i-TEC Well Solutions at the start of 2009. Internally this move made a lot of sense and the main advantage that we have observed so far is that we now operate one team of highly efficient development and field engineers from each company. From a customer perspective, it is clear that our efficient working practices mean we can meet tight deadlines, while assisting them with their development and fabrication of well equipment.

During the first half of 2009 we established operations in the Middle East, an office in Bahrain serving Saudi Arabia, and then another one in Dubai looking after the other main Gulf states. Now our main focus is taking our products and solutions that we have finalised and get them out into the market. Our core focus will remain in the regions where we have already invested in infrastructure. These are UK, Northern Europe, US and Middle East. We are now in contact with customers in these locations and have built up local technical support, which is crucial for our success.

From a customer perspective, can you provide an example where i-Tec have made a difference?
EN. The i-VALVE is a good example of how we have positioned ourselves to offer a unique product. As oil and gas companies expand their operations, they require bespoke equipment for their wells and as such cannot rely completely on the major catalogue companies that are supplying high volume completion equipment. As we provide dedicated skills and resources to match customer requirements directly to form individual products that are tailored to their unique applications, this way we are able to fill this gap in the market when it come to completion equipment.

We were contacted by BP regarding this service and in a matter of two-and-a-half months we were able to design, third-party test and fabricate a full set of i-Valves, which is obviously not a timeline that the largest suppliers can compete with. The advantage of this product is that it's not just an ordinary Valve; it can carry out a variety of jobs, and it can also operate with high differential pressure.

Where is i-Tec going next?
EN. Looking ahead, I would like to see i-Tec build its brand and reputation to become the primary contact when operators have issues with their wellbore physics, or when pressure and flow needs to be balanced and managed, as we are well-equipped to deal with those kinds of challenges. The i-Tec team are experts in mechanical and hydraulic design, whilst our customers are the true application experts.

Espen Norheim's professional career was started within R&D in the field of computer science. He then moved in to project management for Autronica Oil & Gas, delivering topside safety systems. In 2005, he was appointed Global Sales Manager for Autronica Oil & Gas, overlooking worldwide sales. In 2008, he accepted the Managing Director position for i-Tec AS.