ADOS

YE ARS’ DEDICATION TO THE ENERGY INDUSTRY

YE ARS’ DEDICATION TO THE ENERGY INDUSTRY

Abu Dhabi Oilfield Services (ADOS) is a UAE-based technology and services provider to the oil and gas industry from upstream to end-user downstream. Andy Probert sat down with CEO Zuhair Shehada to discuss the company’s evolution as lead support for local and international clients, and its growth ambitions.

ADOS CEO Zuhair Shehada

ASAbu Dhabi

Oilfield Services (ADOS) moves quietly into its 50th year of operation, Zuhair Shehada is a living embodiment of what it stands for. The mechan ical engineer has served the company for 38 years and, since 1995, as its CEO.

The Canadian, who arrived on Abu Dhabi’s shores in 1971, shortly before it became part of the United Arab Emirates and a year before ADOS’ birth, has seen much of the landscape irrevocably change.

That has given Mr Shehada unique experience that he has metic ulously used to guide ADOS in becoming a leading technology and services provider to the region’s energy industry.

From exploration, drilling and production to refining, processing and distribution, he has overseen the highs and lows of company, industry, and country but never tires of looking to take ADOS to new levels.

Gradual expansion

The company has grown to operate from various locations throughout the UAE and employs over 1,700 people, all aiming to optimise clients’ operational performance and maximise the value of their resources.

“For us, it has been step-by-step growth beginning with back-up services to Shell and BP, to downhole and drilling services, and then expanding to support for rotating machinery, instrumenta tion and marine services,” he outlined.

ADOS strengthened its portfolio by establishing Klinger Middle East, acquiring Safe Sea Services and forming WellSlot Tubular Slotting & Perforating. It became the first oilfield services com pany to establish a manufacturing, service and training facility in Ruwais, the heart of the UAE’s petrochemicals and processing hub.

From Mussafah, Ruwais, and Jebel Ali manufacturing facilities, totalling 300,000 sqm, the company supports the drilling and pro duction sector with a full range of threading, machining and tool manufacture from subsea to surface.

The ADOS Machine Shop, for example, is one of the largest in the GCC. Lathes and CNC hollow spindles allow for extensive turning capabilities. Its horizontal and vertical borers, with a capacity of 12 tons and 6 tons, can handle a majority of components including heat exchangers, tube sheets, blow-out preventers and valve bodies.

“We now offer comprehensive products and services from seismic survey consulting to the equipment used in petrol stations, and everything in between,” Mr Shehada declared.

Partnerships and innovation

ADOS has also entered partnerships with international companies to provide new technologies to the region. In 2021, it signed an agreement with InflowControl to bring Autonomous Inflow Control Valve (AICV®) technology to Abu Dhabi.

Norway’s InflowControl designs and manufactures industryleading and patented inflow control technologies that have been field-proven to dramatically improve well performance, reduce water cut and gas oil ratio, and increase oil production in both onshore and offshore wells.

With over 160 installations worldwide and a good volume of these in wells deployed within the GCC, the fully autonomous valves have helped operators reduce their operational risk, optimise their total cost of ownership, and lower associated production emissions.

Together with its subsidiaries, ADOS Engineering Industries and WellSlot, InflowControl and ADOS will enhance the in-country value relating to the manufacturing, assembly, and installation of the AICVs in the UAE.

Mr Shehada added: “We are excited about our new partnerships with industry-leading technology providers such as Inflow Control to help our clients maximise the value of their current and future resources. We look forward to working with our established and new partners to bring more enabling technologies to the UAE market.”

He reflected: “We know how the market is moving, and how the challenges of the last couple of years have contributed to the con tinued disruption of the global supply chain. However, despite these difficulties, ADOS has not been negatively affected: I am proud to say we have been over-performing. We remain a highly dynamic and diversified company that is always forward-looking.

“ADOS has brought new technology and innovation that creates added value to the market. If ADOS is not bringing these products forward, we are involved in R&D with our overseas partners.

“There is a lot of focus on artificial intelligence and digitisation, and with the additional pressures to transition to green energy, ADOS is working on several projects to bring new solutions to the region and contributing to the in-country added value.”

Drawing on in-country values

Zeroing in on ADOS’ plans for the next three years, Mr Shehada commented: “The oil and gas industry has been and will remain an essential component for the energy mix and transition for years to come. Yet we remain ever alert, understand future trends, and want to be pioneers in catering to the ‘green energy’ requirements for the good of the region.”

He expanded on how ADOS makes a difference to its clients: “We are very serious about our business, work harder than our competitors and are passionate in being client-focused.”

Global challenges have also increased demand for in-country values and strategies to minimise disruption. “We are listening to clients, and in general, they have put pressure on local companies to implement various strategies.

“ADOS believes in utilising local resources and has been very active in the so-called ‘Emir-isation’ of the workforce. It is probably the best way to keep growing, aided by recruiting local graduates and integrating them into the business.

“You cannot do business remotely from 10,000 miles away in this industry. You need to be in good proximity to the client. The

closer you are, the better the outcome. Recruiting local resources is important if you are dependent on the rapid deployment of prod ucts and services.”

He added: “Our long-term relations are built on trust, trans parency, commitment and integrity. We have gained credibility and reputation because we refuse to compromise on these core values. Our success has not come overnight, but by building it over the years.”

Mr Shehada concluded: “We continue to focus our efforts on innovation and diversification. With innovation we can positively impact the market and ADOS will soon bring significant break throughs to the industry. By remaining dynamic, we confidently look to the next 50 years of success.”

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