The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Tech firm invests in new bases to service demand Energy: Groundbreaking data logging tool helps fuel interest in company
A north-east oil and gas technology firm has opened two new offices in a bid to support demand for its pioneering, torpedo-esque data logging tool.
Well-Sense, aDyceheadqu arte red down hole sensing technology specialist, has built on the launch of its US-based subsidiary earlier this year by leasing an office in Houston, Texas.
The business has also hired operations specialist Ariel Marin as interest in its disposable FiberLine Intervention (FLI) technology grows in the region.
Well-Sense said Mr
“Beefed up its technology development team in the past year”
Marin would bring “significant engineering experience” to the role, having spent a total of nine years with Weatherford and Caterpillar.
The firm has also expanded its UK footprint by opening a manufacturing facility in Hampshire.
The base will be headed up by new operations manager Mark Burton. He has more than 15 years of wireline technology expertise in roles with employers like GE Oil & Gas Sondex Wireline and Baker Hughes.
Well-Sense, part of FrontRow Energy Technology Group, said the two leased premises would support its Aberdeen research and development facility as it advances its FLI tool.
The product, which looks like a missile, uses fibre optic technology to rapidly beam oil well data back to the surface in real time.
The data gives operators a detailed understanding of the well, leading to far more efficient recovery of hydrocarbons.
FLI is built for single use, which makes it a cheaper alternative to wireline logging, which uses cables to lower tools into the borehole for transmitting data.
Well-Sense currently has two employees in the US and one in Hampshire, but plans to expand both teams considerably over the next few months.
The company has beefed up its technology development team in the last year with the appointments of Kevin Rose and Douglas Hitchcock – applications and design engineers respectively.
Mr Hitchcock joined the company after finishing a Masters in mechanical engineering, while Mr Rose came on board following eight years’ mechanical design experience with Baker Hughes.
Well-Sense received a further boost in August when it secured investment running into seven figures from Saudi Aramco Energy Ventures.
Well-Sense chief executive Craig Feherty said: “In August, we announced the support of strategic investors, Saudi Aramco Energy Ventures, alongside our current owners, FrontRow Energy Technology Group and management.
“At the time, I confirmed this investment would help accelerate the global expansion of Well-Sense, allowing us to invest in the people and the infrastructure required to support the commercialisation of FLI. I believe these latest developments are a strong demonstration of the company’s desire to achieve that objective.
“Each appointment comprises the knowledge, skills, experience and geography to allow us to service an everincreasing marketplace, as we work to expand FLI’s capabilities and maximise the global opportunities for our technology.”