Canoco Energy Services by North American Constructors Journal

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Canoco Energy Services:

Succeeding With A Progressive Approach Established in 2017, newcomer Canoco Energy Services is emerging as a key cog in Canadaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Oil and Gas industry Written by Kevin Doyle Produced by Stephen Marino

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s it embarks on its third year of operation, Canoco Energy Services is already a key component in Canada’s Oil and Gas industry by bringing fresh ideas and technologies into the business of plant shutdowns and turnarounds. Founded by Chris Engel in 2017, Canoco is based in Edmonton, Alberta, and has already established relationships with a number of highprofile operators. The company works primarily in northern Alberta and British Columbia as well as the Grande Prairie region. Plant shutdowns and turnarounds in the Oil & Gas realm are the company’s area of expertise. It also provides planning and estimating services and does some new construction, although Engel believes that market is shrinking. The company has something of a risk/ reward approach to how it procures work. “We’ve really honed in on trying to develop a really good process that no one’s ever seen in turnarounds and shutdowns,” explains Engel, an industry veteran of 14 years who started the company at age 28. “I think that’s why we’re growing because we’re doing an internal pilot project to try and make those turnarounds super efficient. We’re

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not operating in new construction with lots of overhead, or trying to get the big margins. We’re trying to get volume over margin. I think a lot of our customers know that we’re trying to bring in technology, trying to be more efficient. Our guys plan the job and our guys run it, which cuts cost immensely,” he adds.

Key Projects Pine River Gas Plant Turnaround: Canoco Energy handled all the estimating and planning while its Construction Management Team worked around the clock with

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“The most rewarding thing is building relationships with the people I work with and being able to help their families. That just drives me to get more work. It’s rewarding being able to help people and giving people an income.” - CEO/Founder Chris Engel

550 craft on site to turn-around a challenging project within a six-week mechanical window. “Despite numerous obstacles, (logistics, extreme weather, lack of records and documentation for work packs), our team, in conjunction with the Pine River Gas Plant (PRGP)

Operations team and multiple service providers, executed a full plant outage turnaround in Fall of 2019. The work scope also included testing and servicing all pressure relieving devices,” Engel says. Narraway Gas Plant Turnaround: The company’s most recent project was

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Canoco Energy Services | 6 executed on time and on budget, with zero safety incidents despite found work and logistical obstacles due to the site’s rural location. “We took on the entire project, which included estimating, planning, CMT, scaffold, pipefitters, boilers markers, welders, and inspection,” Engel says. Engel notes the company has “an aspiring project coming up, which will require 250-300 craft members for a very large-scale turnaround” as well as two small projects “entirely based on our Bolted Joint Integrity Management (BJIM) Program, an in-house and very successful procedure and tagging system we have developed.”

Safety Initiatives The company’s top-notch safety program maintains Certificate of Recognition (COR) status that verifies fully implemented safety and health protocols that meet national standards set by the Canadian Federation of Construction. “We always put safety first and go out of our way to continue to train and educate our staff on how to be safe in the field and at home,” Engel says. The company goes above and beyond the usual project safety walks and tailgate meeting to engage its employees. While safety walks require managers to have an

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Canoco Energy Services | 7 apprentice with them to provide a fresh set of eyes on, Engel says the “Why We Work Safe” wall that is placed in the lunchroom before every job provides a powerful reminder about the absolute need to be safe. “Before any project, we ask workers to submit a photo of why they’re working safe and what they’re thankful for. When you see somebody’s wife and kids on the wall, you’re like ‘Wow, wouldn’t it be terrible if you didn’t go home tonight’ so I’m going to do everything I can to make sure you do. I find people pay attention to that more than they do any meeting,” Engel stresses.

Day To Day Canoco encourages employee input and suggestions and, Engel says, considers each and every one. “Communication is absolutely huge. Whether we’re on a project or not, busy or not, we have an in-depth meeting every week. Pipefitters, supervisors, and coordinators, it doesn’t matter. They all take turns running their own meeting. It’s a chance to show what they have. We’re very open about trying new ideas, even if it sounds absolutely ridiculous. We’re always trying to change and improve and we always challenge our people,” Engel notes.

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“We’re not operating in new construction with lots of overhead, or trying to get the big margins. We’re trying to get volume over margin. I think our customers know we’re trying to bring in technology, trying to be more efficient. ” - CEO/Founder Chris Engel

Canoco is looking into the opportunity for employees to purchase a small percentage the company, an idea that has been well received. “I want to empower everyone by saying it’s everyone’s company. We’re starting to open branches and letting our employees invest, so it’s not just a paycheck, you’re not just showing up to a job. We’re giving our employees the opportunity to make a small percentage. Even if it’s only a small percentage, they really feel like ‘Hey I have a voice now.’ It creates a team mentality and it’s getting a lot of positive feedback,” says Engel. In regards to training, Canoco is fortunate it is able to draw on the experience of a pair of long-time industry veterans who helped develop the company’s rigorous training programs. “We’ve developed some very intense training programs that are very specific to our jobs. I think that with

the courses and conferences, the young guys don’t pay attention. But when you get that experience in the room, it feels more like mentorship and the guys pay attention. The older guys come in and make it fun and they are doing it because they love to teach. It’s working out pretty good actually,” Engel says. The company’s unique Bolted Joint Integrity Management (BJIM) procedure guides personnel how to remain compliant with Joint Management Policies and Procedures in order to continue its success of zero leaks on all mechanical joint connections. Engel is hands-on when it comes to engaging new clients. “I go to their office, meet with the owner and always try to build a relationship. I need to feel a connection in order to do business with them. I want their heart to be in their company like my heart is in mine.”

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Canoco Energy Services | 11 Looking Forward Progressive, innovative and driven with a plan for success and key industry relationships already in place, Canoco Energy Services seems to be on the fast track long-term success. “I think the biggest thing for me is the challenge, the excitement of slowly trying to build something, and of being challenged on a different level,” says Engel. “The most rewarding thing is building relationships with the people I work with and being able to help their families, even if it’s just a small Christmas bonus. That just drives me to get more work. It’s rewarding being able to help people and giving people an income.”