Texas’ Advanced Rig Services says it provides a high level of customer service for clients tired of big-name manufacturers.
In an industry dominated by huge conglomerates, large oil drilling contractors oftentimes rely on similarly sized manufacturers and suppliers to meet their needs. But clients looking for a higher level of customer service can turn to Texas-based rig manufacturer Advanced Rig Services, says Greg Kimbrough, vice president and general manager.
“We have all the same skill sets and capabilities of our larger competitors, but we’re a small enough company where the customer doesn’t get lost in the shuffle,” he states. “In fact, we pick up a lot of business just from people who refuse to do business with our biggest competitors because they are sometimes treated poorly and the wait is long. What we’ve found is a niche with customers who are tired of poor product, poor customer service, poor delivery and high pricing.”
Advanced Rig Services manufactures and refurbishes land-based oil and gas drilling rigs and offshore platforms in its 60,000-square-foot facility that sits on 30 acres. Serving some of the largest drilling contractors in the world, the company’s products can be found around the globe, including on sites in Russia, Nigeria, Ecuador, Peru and Brunei.
Although the oil industry is pretty well-defined, Kimbrough says there is still room for innovation. Integrated Drilling Equipment Company, Advanced Rig Services’ parent company, developed and patented a new rig in 2009. The new rig, Sparta, is designed to quickly move from drilling site to drilling site. It is very easy to disassemble and reassemble and can transport in 20 to 22 truck loads – approximately half the loads of a typical rig. “Drilling contractors get paid to drill wells, and they lose revenues during the move of a rig,” he explains. “There is a premium for being able to move from well to well quickly, and this rig is designed to do exactly that.”
Advanced Rig Services also offers a skidding system. “So when you rig up and drill a hole, you’re able to move the rig without disassembling it to drill another hole,” Kimbrough says. “You’re literally getting two or three or four drill holes for the price of one.”
Oil Industry Optimism
Rather than acting helpless during the oil industry’s slowdown, Advanced Rig Services is taking the opportunity to hone its services and make improvements. “In an up economy, we like to get bigger, and in a down economy, we use the opportunity to get better,” Kimbrough says. “We haven’t done anything nifty except for using good business management, and we’ve shrunk fixed costs so we’re able to remain profitable.
“2009 has been a very tough year for the industry, but we fared better than most businesses,” he continues. “We have positioned ourselves for what I believe will be a robust 2010.”
Advanced Rig Services was founded in 2006 by CEO Steve Cope to complement IEC Systems – his other company, which specializes in electrical control houses for drilling rigs. “The creation of Advanced Rig Services was a logical expansion move to get into rig refurbishment and building,” Kimbrough notes.He credits Advanced Rig Services President Chris Naquin for the leadership that has led to the company’s success. “Chris assembled the team of people and established the operating standard that has led to our reputation for high quality and excellent customer service,” Kimbrough says.
Although the company is a relative newcomer to the industry, its leadership team is not. “The Advanced Rig Services management team has over 150 years of experience in the oilfield,” the company says. “Their resumes cover everything from roughneck, driller, rig electricians and, more importantly, rig building. This team of managers has worked on over 500 rigs during this time period and includes everything from drill ships, semi-submersibles, jack-ups, barge rigs, platform rigs, mechanical land rigs, SCR land rigs, VFD land rigs and hydraulic rigs.”
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