Pioneering Aberdeen Oil & Gas Service Companies Lead the Way

A new generation of pioneering companies that are challenging traditional engineering to revolutionise downhole and subsea tools for today’s demanding oil and gas wells are leading the way in the 6^th annual Grampian Awards for Business Enterprise. The companies, including Caledus, PolyOil, Zertech and Optima Solutions, have landed seven nominations as finalists between them.

All based in Aberdeen, these business success stories have been praised for their pioneering approach to servicing the oil and gas industry with innovative solutions to age-old problems associated with mature and difficult oil fields. Chris Travis, Chief Executive of Enterprise North East Trust, says, "It comes as no surprise whatsoever to see amongst the award finalists a number of young and innovative companies which have developed truly remarkable products and services for the oil and gas industry. The relative maturity of the UK Continental Shelf in terms of oil production and the depth of experience in the north east, gained from being in the industry for more than 30 years, has created a hot-bed of talent in the region for developing technologically advanced products that enhance performance and provide cost savings for operators, not only in the north sea but all over the world."

Caledus, a finalist in two categories of Young Business and Sir Ian Wood Award for Innovation, was set up in February 2003 to develop an evolutionary oil and gas well construction system called SlimWELL™. Paul Howlett, Managing Director Caledus, says, "Our aim when setting up Caledus was to create a world-class top-tier oil and gas service sector business and compete with the super-service companies that dominant in this industry. We set up at a time when there was an almost overriding perception that the north sea was in decline and survival would be hard, many companies were downsizing. We knew it would be a challenge but set out to face that head on and to help unlock some of the potential that remains in this mature basin. It is a great honour to be a finalist in two categories, particularly as innovation and challenging convention have been a consistent theme of our approach since inception."

PolyOil is a finalist in the category of Sir Ian Wood Award for Innovation for its polymer-constructed Poly-Tector™ range of protectors for cables, umbilicals and downhole casings. Serena Arif, Co-Founder and Director of PolyOil, says, "The maturity of oil and gas wells in the north sea represented an opportunity to us. We could see the scope for a new and bespoke solution that was superior to the traditional steel product that the industry had become use to. We set out to make a product that reduced friction, was lighter and enhanced safety and have been delighted with positive response from our customers to our Poly-Tectors™. Three generations of offshore engineers have used steel equipment and our lighter version using modern design represents a steep change for them, in an industry which is very risk averse. But striving for innovation and engineering excellence is our driving force and we are in this for the long term. This nomination means a great deal to us and is testament to our team’s efforts in trying to be a world class innovator."

Optima Solutions is a finalist in the Business Growth category and has grown from 3 staff in one office, to more than 20 staff in 40 000 f² combined office and warehouse facilities six years later. It provides project management and engineering consultancy work for the design and commissioning of specialist offshore well test rig cooling systems in 6 international Oil and Gas markets. Jamie Oag, Founder and Managing Director, says, "Our growth has been rapid but also strategically focussed to deliver our vision of becoming a worldwide leader in heat suppression. Focusing on our clients’ needs has been the biggest factor in our growth ensuring continuous development of systems, personnel and technology. Winning this award would be a tremendous recognition of our achievements to date. Our ultimate goal is to build on our recent growth to become a global operator with a presence in each of the major oil countries."

Zertech, (Zeroth Technology Ltd), based in Dyce, is also a finalist in the category for Business Growth. Peter Moyes, Managing Director at Zertech, says, "Our specialised downhole well technology, specifically our ‘Metal to Metal’ Z-seal, has been created for oil and gas wells where the amount of oil and gas is substantial but difficult to extract, and for tapping new reserves that are deeper, hotter and at higher pressures than can currently be accessed with conventional equipment. Unprecedented rapid uptake of our innovative technology, within the industry has been a huge factor in our phenomenal growth and we are delighted with our nomination in the awards."

Jenny Moultrie, Regional Manager in Aberdeen for The Royal Bank of Scotland, says, "The calibre of companies entering this year’s Grampian Awards for Business Enterprise has been outstanding. Entries have been received from almost every industry and we have been singularly impressed with this diversity and the high quality of businesses that are establishing themselves in the north east."

The Awards recognise business achievement in companies of all sizes and enterprising individuals and is organised by Enterprise North East Trust and sponsored by The Royal Bank of Scotland and Business Gateway (in association with Scottish Enterprise Grampian).

Winners will be announced at a black tie awards ceremony on Thursday 9 June at Ardoe House Hotel, by Aberdeen. Karren Brady, Managing Director of Birmingham City Football Club, will be keynote speaker at the prestigious event. All finalists will receive a certificate with category winners picking up a coveted enterprise aware and a cheque for up to £3,000.

Picture caption PolyOil: Serena Arif, Director of PolyOil, with one of its groundbreaking Poly-Tectors™ for oilfields that has helped it land a nomination in the Grampian Awards for Business Enterprise in the Sir Ian Wood Award for Innovation category.

Picture caption Caledus: (left to right) Jim Bain, Derek Mcleod and Paul Howlett of Caledus, with its SlimWELL™ well construction equipment, which has been nominated in two categories of the Grampian Awards for Business Enterprise.

Picture caption Optima Solutions: Jamie Oag, Managing Director of Optima Solutions which is a finalist in the Grampian Awards for Business Enterprise in the Business Growth Award category.

Picture caption Zertech: (left to right) Ian Thomson, Peter Moyes and Angie Bell of Zertech which is a finalist in the Grampian Awards for Business Enterprise for the Business Growth Award.

Further information contact

Caroline Cull
Tricker PR
Tel: 01224 654083
Mob: 07795 522011
Email: ccull@trickerpr.com