Viking International
Overview:
Viking International is a fully-integrated service company committed to providing services to the oil and gas industry with the goal of exceeding the exploration needs of operators. Viking currently maintains operations within the regions of Turkey, Morocco, Bulgaria, and N. Iraq. Services are available in a variety of forms, ranging from day-rate to complete turnkey contracts.
Services:
Engineering:
The oil and gas industry faces a constantly-evolving array of challenges. These include management of mature fields, the need to improve recovery, as well as improve reserves and production through the exploitation of marginal and undeveloped fields. In response to these challenges, the industry is extending the frontiers of current technology as well as adopting a vast array of innovative and new technology. To meet these objectives, Viking’s experienced professionals provide engineering services to assist its clients worldwide in the design and analysis of critical wells and well operations. Viking International is positioned to meet these needs with an experienced staff of engineers harbouring decades of technical experience in disciplines including production, completion, reservoir, chemical and drilling engineering.
Viking’s drilling engineers provide technical insight for enhancing well performance gained from drilling over 1,000 wells. From permitting and design to analysis and completion, Viking leverages its global experience to help ensure its clients employ industry best practices. Viking can help its clients troubleshoot and provide post-well analysis to improve future wells.
Supplies & Logistics:
Viking International is a provider of supplies and logistics coordination for the oil and gas industry. The company is dedicated to providing the highest quality oilfield products and services and can be the single source for all its clients supply and equipment needs. From a spare part to complete well or rig supplies, Viking International delivers customer solutions. By developing services to better serve future customer requirements, Viking will continue to be the premier source for all its clients’ product and service needs.
Viking International possesses a vast mix of products and provides supply chain solutions for producers based on its long term source and shipping experience.
Geophysical Services
Viking Geophysical Services brings together the people, the tools, and the technology that enable innovative solutions for today’s seismic challenges. Viking acquires and processes 2-D, 3-D and micro seismic land seismic data for clients which can range from major oil and gas companies to independent oil and gas operators.
The main purpose of seismic exploration is to render the most accurate possible graphic representation of specific portions of the Earth’s subsurface geologic structure. The images produced allow exploration companies to accurately and cost-effectively evaluate a promising prospect for its oil and gas yielding potential. Seismic imaging may seem simple on the surface but it takes knowledge, experience and advanced technology to do it right. Acquisition of seismic data involves the transmission of controlled acoustic energy into the Earth, and recording the energy that is reflected back from geologic boundaries in the subsurface.
Information regarding the structure and nature of the reflecting strata can be derived from the two-way travel time, and other attributes, of the returning energy. Processing these reflections produces a synthetic image of the Earth’s subsurface geologic structure. The end product of all this work and technology is a graphic 3D representation of the Earth’s sub-surface geologic structure.
Based largely on this information, exploration companies will decide where, or if to drill for oil and gas. Viking Geophysical Services has made every effort to acquire the most advanced vibratory and recording equipment available and in doing so the company believes that it can provide a product that is unmatched.
Viking has over 100 years of combined operating experience and a recognized track record of technological leadership in the science of geophysics. The company, therefore, is well placed to capitalize on the growing importance of seismic as a key technology for enhancing the E&P performance.
Dirt Service & Civil Engineering
Viking International is a provider of oilfield road and location construction and trucking services. It possesses top-of-the-line equipment, coupled with stringent maintenance schedules.
Viking International has the equipment necessary to provide trucking and dirt services for Operators looking for value and experience from their contracting partners in Europe and the Middle East. Viking offers a single source for oilfield construction and transportation needed in the aforementioned regions that include new, heavy-duty oilfield rigged trucks, trailers and an impressive fleet of dirt equipment. Viking International can meet virtually any construction and mobilization need an Operator might encounter. The company is dedicated to exceeding its clients’ expectations and is constantly in the process of upgrading its equipment to provide customers with the best, most efficient operating equipment in the region.
In the process of upgrading to be the best, most efficient service company in the region; Viking International has acquired Roustabout Transports. The new Roustabout division has the knowledge and ability to service all of the Operators existing well sites and pipelines as well as any new well hookup, and flow back well testing. Viking International’s Water Transport division has the ability to haul up to 130bbls of fluid per load, this combined with its new equipment allows for maximum efficiently to ensure the Operator their economic objectives are met each and every well.
Viking’s experienced personnel are knowledgeable regarding all the proper environmental regulations and its network of contacts allow it to fulfill the objectives of maximizing jobsite efficiency and completing required permitting and other processes in a quick and efficient manner. Viking offers experienced consultation, support, management and even complete construction within the oil and natural gas industry.
Viking International prides itself at responding quickly to clients’ construction and transportation needs with a wide range of well-maintained equipment, trucks and trailers. Viking takes an active interest in achieving its customers’ operational and economic objectives.
Drilling
Viking International provides onshore contract drilling services with an ever expanding fleet of marketable land-based drilling rigs that operate primarily in the oil and natural gas producing regions of Europe and the Middle East. Viking International’s contract drilling rigs are performance-oriented providing technologically advanced equipment, extensive industry experience, a safe operating environment and quality service to its clients in the worldwide oil and gas industry.
Viking continues to invest in its rig fleet thereby enhancing the quality and versatility of its rigs by upgrading and/or acquiring highly specialized rigs that lend themselves to reconfiguration for new drilling applications necessary to exploit advancements in technology. The company engineers and builds rigs to accommodate the drilling needs of wells in different operational areas.
Viking’s technology, expertise and quality equipment help deliver results to challenging drilling projects and meet stringent client demands. Viking designs rigs with automated features that reduce nonproductive time and increase safety by eliminating operational hazards and distancing people from dangerous areas.
Viking International’s contract drilling group is headquartered in Istanbul, Turkey where a pool of experienced employees provides operational, business development, management and logistical support to the company’s offices worldwide.
Underbalanced Equipment & Services
It’s no accident that Viking International’s name is synonymous with Underbalanced Drilling (UBD) technology and air drilling. Viking was at the forefront of understanding the necessity for UBD technologies and services back in the mid 1980’s while drilling in the West Texas Overthrust and dedicated the resources, realized its vision, and are now leaders with hundreds of successful UBD wells to its credit.
Underbalanced drilling is the intentional reduction of drilling fluid density to lower hydrostatic pressure in a wellbore so that it is lower than formation pore pressure. Or, more simply put, underbalanced drilling maintains wellbore pressure below formation pressure while drilling.
In underbalanced reservoir drilling (UBD), the emphasis is on protecting the formation, particularly in low-pressure, depleted reservoirs. Encouraging the reservoir to flow while it is being drilled avoids creation of wellbore buildup and its associated negative impact on well productivity and reservoir recovery. Lower pressure in the wellbore also increases ROP, prolongs bit life and prevents fluid loss into the formation, making differential sticking unlikely. These benefits allow for enhanced production and reservoir recovery which increases the economic viability resulting in quicker payouts for wells. The company’s operations in West Texas have relied on air drilling for decades to get through hard fractured limestone formations quickly and without costly fluid losses. Air drilling uses mist or foam as the drilling fluid, increasing ROP and lengthening bit life and although air drilling is an "old" technology in the U.S., it holds bright promise in Morocco, Romania and Turkey.
Viking International consists of a team of management and drilling personal that have drilled hundreds of Underbalanced wells and have an excess of over 100 years of experience collectively in Underbalanced Drilling.
Cementing
Viking International’s mixing and pumping systems have been designed and engineered specifically to bring value and dependability to its customers. The company’s technology stays on the cutting edge and is backed by performance, safety and service.
Viking International is a full service provider of oilfield services for the petroleum industry. Pressure pumping services consist of cementing services used in the completion of new oil and natural gas wells and in remedial work on existing wells. The company’s cementing services consist of blending high-grade cement and water with various solid and liquid additives to create a cement slurry that is pumped into a well between the casing and the wellbore. Viking contracts with central, regional and district laboratory testing facilities to evaluate cement slurry properties, which can vary by cement supplier and local water sources. The principal application for cementing services used in oilfield operations is primary cementing, or cementing between the casing string and the wellbore during the drilling and completion phase of a well. Viking International’s cement mixing and pumping systems are a reliable source when it comes to value and dependability. Viking’s technology stays on the cutting edge and is backed by performance, safety, service and experience. As new technologies and techniques become routine, operators are demanding new approaches to well cementing. Deepwater exploration, stringent environmental regulations and dozens of other factors drive the need to examine cementing in new ways. Viking International addresses these concerns through its location in Morocco. This includes looking for ways to ensure a cement design is optimized for each particular well.
Workover Units
Maintenance Services
With a growing fleet of well service / workover rigs strategically located, Viking International aims at providing customers with a full array of well-related services necessary for prolonging the productive life of an oil and/or gas well. Although some wells flow oil to the surface without mechanical assistance, most are in mature production areas that require pumping or some other form of artificial lift. Pumping oil wells characteristically require more maintenance than flowing wells because of the operation of the mechanical pumping equipment installed on the well. Viking International’s well service rigs provide maintenance services on the mechanical apparatus used to pump or lift oil from producing wells. These services include, among other things, repairing and replacing pumps, sucker rods and tubing. Viking provide the rigs, equipment and crews for these tasks, which are performed on both oil and natural gas wells.
Workover Services
Producing oil and natural gas wells occasionally requires major repairs or modifications, called "workovers." Workover services are carried out with the same type of rig used to perform maintenance services, although the rig often is outfitted with specialized equipment including rotary drilling equipment, mud pumps, mud tanks and blowout preventers. A workover may last anywhere from a few days to several weeks to accomplish.
Completion Services
The kinds of activities necessary to carry-out a workover operation essentially are the same as those required to "complete" a well when it is first drilled. The completion process may involve selectively perforating the well casing at the depth of discrete producing zones and installing down-hole equipment. The completion process may take anywhere from a few days to several weeks to accomplish.
Fluid Handling Services
In addition to the above services, Viking also provides its customers with a variety of specialized services including, onsite temporary fluid storage capacities, the removal and disposal of specialized fluids used during certain completion and workover operations, and the removal and disposal of brine/salt water that often is produced in conjunction with the production of oil and natural gas.
Plug and Abandonment Services
The company performs plugging services for wells from which the oil and natural gas have been depleted or further production of the well has become uneconomical for the customer.
Viking International’s Mission
Viking International aims at providing service and experience that exceed clients’ expectations. With over 100 years of experience collectively, the company has the technical expertise that will improve well efficiencies and performance. The company provides workover and well-related services to customers throughout Morocco and Turkey.
Wireline Services
Viking International, Ltd. excels in all facets of Cased Hole Wireline services. The company provides a complete line of products and services including Logging, Perforating, Pipe Recovery and Mechanical Services.
Viking is unique due to a winning combination of extensive wellsite experience, proper planning, high quality equipment and highly skilled personnel with safety as their first priority. Viking’s expert engineers employ the appropriate technology using reliable and proven equipment to obtain the results that its clients demand – whether on a routine well or a challenging pressure control operation. Viking personnel are known for innovation and creativity in solving Downhole problems quickly without compromising safety.
Viking built its reputation on providing quality logging services to the oil & gas industry. The company acquires its data by using Warrior Well Logging Acquisition Systems, which are recognized throughout the industry for accuracy and reliability in even the most extreme conditions.
Pressure Pumping
Viking international offers the most modern stimulation fleet in the region, located in Turkey. Along with the newest fleet Viking offers proprietary fluid systems designed to enhance production and increase recoverable reserves from the complicated reservoirs located in Turkey.
Viking also will provide real time modeling which allows for job design changes in reaction to unique reservoir characteristics.
Facilities Construction Services
With more than 20 years’ experience Viking International’s management can provide production operators the expert service and knowledge needed to build “top of the line / state of the art” Petroleum facilities. The company’s expertise in the petroleum industry has paved the way for creating a tried and true methodology to provide engineering and construction of infrastructure and delivery systems.
Gas Transportation/Infrastructure Development
For more than 20 years Viking International’s management has provided engineering, procurement, construction, maintenance, and operation management services to Production Operators working in oil and natural gas fields. The company’s expertise in drilling and developing fields has paved the way in creating a tried and true methodology for providing infrastructure and delivery systems. Viking International is well-equipped to provide gathering, compression, processing and treating facilities for its Operating partners. The company has designed and built pipelines, gas processing and treatment plants, meter stations and compression facilities in challenging and remote locations including Texas, Oklahoma, Kentucky, Colorado and on an international basis in Turkey. Projects include feasibility studies, detailed design, permitting, and construction management. Viking International’s experienced management team has built, operated and maintained over 500 miles of pipelines, 80,000 horsepower of compression facilities and 300,000 mcf of gas processing and treating plants.
Production Operation
Overview
The goal of any oil and gas company is to make a discovery that allows them to achieve a return on the heavy capital and time investment necessary for exploration. At this point it is vital that the proper expertise is utilized to effectively develop and produce that field. Viking International offers this expertise. Whether it’s full scale contract operation of an asset or simply providing guidance on production and accounting issues, Viking International is positioned to support any level of production operations services required. Viking’s experienced staff has operated producing fields all over the world and is competent in dealing with oil or gas assets regardless of depth, pressure or level of activity.
The production operations group can provide the insight and direction required to ensure that a new or old field meets and exceeds expectations. Viking International can assist with everything from drilling and completions to workover recommendations and execution to facilities design and maintenance. The only way to get the most out of an asset is to diligently work through new and old wellbores and constantly strive for improved results.
Health / Safety/ Security/ Environmental
To manage health, safety, security and environmental (HSSE) issues of oil and gas activities is a matter of managing risks. Reducing these risks is the key to efficient and sustainable production, employees going home safely at the end of the day and a cleaner environment. Viking International is committed to the safety, security and health of its people, clients and others with whom it interacts. Oil companies have particularly wide variations in environmental risk exposure and environmental management capability. In this regard, Viking International sets target the encouragement of more sustainable practices as environmental regulations and public concerns about the environment continue to increase.
Viking’s design and implementation of the HSSE management system is backed up by its understanding of people-based safety. Viking International’s HSSE division has a positive and team-player approach to the personnel instead of an authoritative perspective. The initiative and knowledge in HSSE of Viking International personnel supported by commitment of its management is the core of the safety culture that the company building.
Well Testing
Production Testing and Flowback
Viking Well Testing specializes in surface production testing and flowback services. Viking partners with its clients to optimize maximum initial production performance. Flowback and testing services are vital to the overall production of the well and Viking Well Testing is dedicated to using the highest quality equipment and the personnel from the beginning. Viking Well Testing has a diverse fleet of equipment along with the knowledge to effectively treat each well as its own specialized and different project.
In addition to the equipment and personnel, well testing services would not be complete without accurate data. All of Viking’s technicians are trained to use the latest communication equipment. This provides the company’s clients with immediate access to the data coming from the field as well as an optional real time data acquisition via GPRS networks.
Fluid Handling
Viking Fluid Handling knows that quick and dependable services are essential to keeping its drilling completion operations moving smoothly. Viking has an extensive fleet of modern trucks, frac tanks and ancillary equipment to fulfill any customer / client. Additionally, the company is continually adding equipment to its fleet to meet the growing demands of the operators.
Management:
Malone Mitchell 3RD / Chairman
Malone Mitchell founded Riata Energy (now SandRidge Energy, NYSD:SD) in 1985. He served as Operations Manager at Riata Energy until 1989 when he assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, which he held until June, 2006. During this period, Riata grew from $500 to become one of the largest privately held energy companies and the largest privately held land driller in the US and had significant midstream and tertiary oil production operations. Until December 2006, Mr. Mitchell held the position of President and COO, when he decided to resign from daily management in the company. Prior to his involvement with Riata Energy, he worked in the oil field services industry on drilling rigs, workover units, road construction, and roustabout crews. Mr. Mitchell graduated from Oklahoma State University in 1983 with a Bachelor of Science degree. Mr. Mitchell is also actively involved in the venture capital and agriculture businesses.
Dustin Guinn
Dustin Guinn joined Viking International in 2008 in which he has been responsible for operational and strategic management focused on the growth, deployment and profitability of assets from operations in the United States, Morocco, Turkey and N. Iraq. Prior to joining Viking International he served in various capacities within The Mitchell Group and Viking from July 2006 to 2008, most recently holding the position of CFO of Viking Drilling, LLC. Prior to joining the Mitchell Group Mr. Guinn was the Chief Operating Officer of Sun-Belt Pump and Supply, a wholesale distribution company headquartered in Amarillo, Texas. Mr. Guinn graduated from New Mexico State University in 1999 with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Finance and earned a Masters degree in Business Administration from West Texas A&M University in 2005.
Aramis Guerra / President
Mr. Guerra joined Viking International in February 2011. He is responsible for establishing a vision of opportunities within existing and emerging oil & gas markets, developing strategic plans for exploiting them and leading teams of employees in their execution. Mr. Guerra has over 15 years’ industry experience with cross-functional expertise in strategic business and capital planning, International operations and financial management. He was previously employed by Nabors Industries from 2004 to 2009 where he held senior management roles with P&L responsibility in Latin America and the Middle East including, General Manager of Nabors’ largest International operating division in Saudi Arabia with US$500 million in revenues, 35 land and offshore rigs and 2,850 employees. Prior to joining Viking, Mr. Guerra was employed by Burgan Drilling Company in Kuwait where he presided as General Manager overseeing operations for 41 land rigs, 2,500 employees and signed contracts valued at US$1.5 billion. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Massachusetts with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting.
Justin Davis / Vice President of Operations
Mr. Davis joined Viking International in December 2010. Prior to joining Viking he spent 8 years working in various engineering and management roles for oil and gas operators such as Riata Energy, SandRidge Energy and TransAtlantic Petroleum. From 2003 – 2006 he served as Completions Manager for Riata’s Piceance Basin project in Colorado. Upon the sale of Riata and forming of SandRidge Energy he began focusing on stimulation design and engineering for their West Texas assets. He has designed and implemented hundreds of new and old well completions, workovers and stimulations. In 2008 Mr. Davis once again joined Mr. Mitchell to lead the drilling and completion operations as TransAtlantic began to develop properties internationally. He spent 2008 - 2010 building TransAtlantic’s engineering staff while also working within various capacities within Viking ranging from business development to assisting with the implementation of the first successful fracture stimulation in Turkey. Mr. Davis earned a B.S. in Petroleum Engineering from Texas Tech University in 2003 and has further certifica- tions in well control and petroleum economics.