“We strive to be recognised as the best

Nasr Kamal, CEO of United Oil Inc., reveals how the company is focusing on client relationships based on trust and its passion for delivering projects on-time and exceeding expectations.

What is your experience in the field of oil and gas exploration, drilling, extraction and development?

Nasr Kamal. United Oil Inc. has huge experience in upstream oilfield development, predominantly in oil and gas well drilling, completion and workover operations on a turnkey basis. We own and operate our own fleet of drilling and workover rigs, in addition to cementing trucks, mud logging units and well logging units.

A member of IADC with ISO 9001-2008 certification, we have implemented the INFOR preventative maintenance system for all our rig and equipment maintenance implementations. United Oil is staffed with highly experienced, multinational staff in the fields of drilling, workover, cementing, mud logging, well logging, mud engineering and well completion and stimulation. We have drilled and completed more than 300 wells in Middle Eastern countries, particularly Egypt, Syria, Libya and Iraq.
 
What projects are you involved in, and what were the major challenges on these projects?

NK. In 2001, we contracted with the Iraqi Government to drill and complete 73 wells for the South Oil Company on a turnkey basis in the Bazargan, Abu Gharab, Halfaya, Fakkah, Siba and West Qurna fields. Currently, we have drilled and completed 46 wells on a turnkey basis in the West Qurna and Tuba fields for the South Oil Company, with excellent performance.

We started the drilling project in Iraq in February 2003, but then the war began the following month. As such, we were forced to suspend operations and abandon the rigs. It wasn't until April 2003 that we were able to return to Iraq, collect up our stolen equipment and rebuild the rigs and related equipment. We restarted operations in April 2004, and both of the two rigs are still drilling today.

The major challenges that we faced were the logistics and security problems, which were overcome through alliances with the local troops. In addition, at that time (and actually up until 2008) there were very few service companies available to support our drilling operations. In spite of that, we have successfully completed drilling and completion of 46 wells to date.

What are your plans for further expansion in this sector?

NK. Currently, United Oil Inc. has two drilling rigs and three cementing trucks in the south of Iraq. And to comply with our strategy, we are mobilising three additional drilling rigs (one 1500Hp and two 2000Hp rigs) and four work over rigs, each with a capacity of 750Hp. In addition, to three Logging systems and two more cementing systems. Moreover, it is important to mention that United Oil Inc. staff has already set up a firm footing in the industry with more than 25 years of experience, which we believe will stand us in good stead.
 
What is your major area of focus right now?

NK. United Oil Inc. was, is and will remain famed for the quality of its job work. We strive to be recognised among our customers as 'The Best', and we aim to understand and anticipate their needs and respond to them with innovative, value-added services. We plan to implement continuous improvements in terms of quality and make this an integral part of our business process.

United Oil's strategy overview

• Maintaining a leading position if the Oil & Gas Industry
• Maintaining our position as Drilling contractor & Exploration company
• Continue in expanding our activities in a very steady steps
• Continue in expanding our activities worldwide
• Investing in developing the team and attracting skilled staff and management

About

Nasr Kamal is Chief Executive Officer of United Oil Inc. On graduating from Suez Canal University in 1981 as a Petroleum Engineer, he started out at Petrobel (Egypt) as a Drilling Engineer before joining IEOC (ENI) as Lead Drilling Engineer and Drilling Superintendent in 1990. In 1995 he left to join Admasco as Project Manager, with spells in both Syria and Kuwait. From 2000 until 2010, he occupied various positions in Petrotec Egypt, Seenopex and Anwar Akkad Sons Company, before becoming CEO of United Oil last year.