Around the globe, oil and gas customers are seeking out new opportunities and strategies for efficient production, and it’s up to service companies to provide quick solutions while responding to market changes. In this article, we discuss how international customer requirements are shaping the new expectations for oilfield service providers.
In this industry, new plays are always being developed around the globe that present exciting opportunity and attract oil producers. As a service provider, there is pressure to be located within range of these locations when customers need us to be, so that we can be accessible and deliver responsive service to those fields. This requires not only proactive research and planning when it comes to expanding internationally, but it also means oilfield service companies need to have strategic supply chains in place to minimize lead times to customers. Additionally, advancements in equipment manufacturing and production technology are constantly influencing customers’ expectations, and thus are a major driving force in shaping the future of the international oilfield. To be a viable competitor in the market, it’s imperative that we stay current with these emerging technologies to provide the solutions our customers need.
Catering to regional preferences and regulations
First, every region has unique environmental conditions, which will inevitably affect our system recommendation. From depth of the well to oil viscosity and sand content, these physical properties are calculated to determine the best solution for a customer.
Second, some customers require specific product designs or mandate that their service providers only source local content. This can create a barrier to entry for international oilfield service providers whose supply chains are sourced from other countries, but it reinforces the idea that we need to be adaptive in the current market. Service providers should have regional channels in place, thus improving accessibility and response time, regardless of where the customer is located. Of course, this is easier said than done because providing adaptable, responsive service always requires balancing local vendor capabilities with a customer’s needs.
Finally, most regions have unique bidding regulations that must be met to even be considered as a service provider. These can range from qualifying for specific certifications to having entire manufacturing facilities located in the country of operation. When this level of commitment is involved, it’s up to the service company to determine if the opportunity in that region is significant enough to justify the investment.
Despite ongoing innovation and fluctuations in the marketplace, the essential challenges facing oil and gas customers have remained the same: maximize production, minimize cost, and increase equipment run life. For international oilfield service companies to support these production objectives, it’s our job to make sure the equipment is installed correctly, runs efficiently, and is used in the correct applications. This means that service providers must not only have the right products, but must also understand the conditions of the wellsite which will impact the productivity of the well. At the end of the day, we can provide the greatest value to our customers by looking at our role from our customers’ perspective and aligning with their objectives. After all, we are first and foremost a service company. While some larger companies may operate to serve their bottom line, I believe success comes from satisfying our customers, and when it comes down to it, customers care about quality products and responsive service. A positive customer experience will always win out over fancy products.
At Valiant, everything we do starts with the customer.
Whether we are developing a new product line or expanding into a new region, it all comes down to delivering best-in-class service and helping our customers reach their production goals. That’s why we operate with the highest level of safety, quality, and efficiency in all our endeavors and only send out qualified, experienced professionals to do the job. We will go the extra mile to ensure that our customer is satisfied because, for us, success is measured based on our ability to meet and exceed our customers’ expectations.