5 minute read
GA R&D Ltd - Delivering step-change efficiency
GA R&D Ltd
GA R&D Ltd, headquartered in Aberdeen, Scotland, develops highly innovative technology solutions for the global energy sector.
GARD U-line™ is a next-generation wellintervention conveyance technology, delivering significant savings within upstream oil & gas and geothermal intervention operations. U-line™ Roller enables lighter intervention and eliminates the need for running more costly and environmentally impactful services.
3C-Steam™ turbine technology involves a revolutionary thermodynamic process, redefining steam power generation efficiency and reducing carbon emissions by up to 25%.
Our Technologies are truly disruptive, targeting step-changes in performance and design efficiency, in order to reduce cost and drive sustainability.
Company Details
Website: www.ga-rd.co.uk Email: hello@ga-rd.co.uk Tel: +44 (0) 1224 047 063
Address:
Wellington Circle | Office 12-13 Balmoral HUB | Wing A | Building One | Balmoral Business Park Aberdeen | AB12 3JG | UK
Technology
Development stage: Commercial
Launch date: 2020
INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY
IN ENERGY ANNUAL
2022
DELIVERING STEP-CHANGE EFFICIENCY
In A Green Energy Transition
U-line™ offshore operation
Lowering the cost and risk of well-intervention
GARD U-line™ is a next-generation, universal, conveyance roller offering lighter wellintervention and increased flexibility for well owners and service companies. Cost reductions are being achieved enabling lighter well-intervention even in high deviation, HPHT or debris challenged wells. Risk of failure to meet Target Depth for operations is addressed as U-line™’s unique features give the tool unparalleled low friction and necessary lift to pass through obstacles and penetrate further into wells than any other roller. Risk to asset is greatly reduced because of the innovative design which has no fasteners and self-conveys smoothly.
Case Study - High-Deviation Gas Lift Intervention
An Oil and Gas Operator was looking for ways to reduce cost when planning a highdeviation gas lift intervention programme on an offshore Malaysian asset. Previous to U-line™ , predictive modelling of the planned intervention suggested that electric wireline tractor / stroker was the only feasible option for this operation. With the TD located at nearly 12,000ft with a long tangent section of nearly 8000ft held at 71deg, the operation also required delivery of sufficient force to the kickover tool arm when located within the target mandrel.
The kickover tool was successfully conveyed using a GARD U-line™ Roller tool string during the gas lift remediation programme, to reach target depth. Successful conveyance of the kickover tool using GARD U-line™ Rollers meant there was no need to deploy an electric wireline tractor / stroker combination, reducing time, risk to asset and leading to significant operational cost savings as a result.
• Extended reach in deviated wells • No fasteners • Slickline/e-line/digital line compatible • Large wheels for high offset
Increasing the efficiency of operations and logistics
The unique design of U-line™ makes it universal, meaning that one tool can be easily adjusted on-site to cover slickline, e-line or digital line and is also modular, meaning for different casing or restriction sizes the tool can be easily resized by fitting different wheels. This means huge potential time saving for well-intervention operations from mobilisng just a small number of tools. As U-line™ Director Donald Mitchell explains, “The tool is hugely flexible, on some jobs it is acting as a high deviation roller, a centraliser and a weight-bar, all in one fully universal technology”. GARD U-line™ is a next-generation, universal, conveyance roller offering lighter well-intervention and increased flexibility for well owners and service companies.
U-line™ onshore operation
Nigeria deal signing
India deal signing
U-line™ load-out in Aberdeen WATCH VIDEO
Going Global
U-line™ was invented and developed in Aberdeen with the support of Scottish Enterprise. GA R&D commercialised U-line™ first in West Africa in May 2020, followed by offshore operations in India and Malaysia before returning in 2021 to the UK for the first North Sea (UKCS) operations. In 2021 the company was also recognised as a select company by the History of Parliament Trust 300 Years of Leadership and Innovation commemorative album presented by St James House.
“Oil & Gas is very expensive to produce, so what we designed is a mechanical tool that goes into the wells and does whatever is required to keep production going,” says Yerasimos Angelis the inventor of U-line™ .
“Before, this was done with very expensive technology so we are able to reduce by 90 to 95 per cent the cost for production of oil and gas for all of these wells that require such advanced technologies. We went to West Africa to deliver this technology and have become the number-one company doing this globally in Asia. We are attempting to do something nobody else has ever attempted before. We had about 40 operations through 2021 and every one was fantastic; nobody could beat us because they don’t have a competitive technology.”
Following his long experience with the new technologies, Angelis understands that simply developing great technology is not enough in itself. A successful technology requires partnerships and a business model that will allow its implementation. GA R&D remains a relatively small business, employing around 30 people across the world. Seven of these are based in the central office in Aberdeen, with the others scattered in 9 countries around the globe: in the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Brunei, India, Malaysia, Ghana, Nigeria and Mexico. That means that Angelis is prepared to partner with larger firms to ensure the technology can be distributed around the world, “A perfect example for us is our partnership with Parveen Industries of India, we are proud to be exporting UK knowledge to India whilst contributing to the Government of India’s Make in India strategy. We are growing all over the World and it is always our model to support the local economy.”
