“The technology being deployed and further developed by e2TECH has all the potential to revolutionise the way in which wells are designed and built. It is entirely appropriate that young and able minds at work in Aberdeen can be part of this revolution.” Iain Percival, Vice President, Shell E&P Technology and Research
A team from the University of Aberdeen’s Engineering Department is set to sign an innovative partnership deal with e2TECH, a joint venture between Shell and Baker Hughes
Dr Bill Deans of the University’s Engineering Department said: “We are bringing our unique, multidisciplinary expertise to assist a new company develop leading edge downhole technology.
“This has been an excellent relationship both for the Department and the University since we have been involved, more or less, since the inception of the company and we will play a major role in supporting e2TECH in the development of its product. We will, therefore, be closely allied with the company as its technical support and our name will be widely associated with this novel technology.”
e2TECH was established in February 1999 to develop and market expandable tubular products. Managing Director of the company Phil Burge, said: “There is a very strong impetus to reduce well construction costs and extend the life and productivity of existing wells.
“We intend to achieve these objectives by enhancing wellbore economics with the use of revolutionary well construction and remediation completion techniques using tubular expansion.”
Mr Burge went on to explain that e2TECH is a fundamentally different type of oil and gas service company. “We intend to remain a small company, concentrating on what we do best – rapid product development and implementation.
“Rather than see the company employ more and more staff, we intend to follow the partnership route, bringing in specific expertise when we need it. Our relationship with the University of Aberdeen is an ideal example of how we see this working.”
The University and e2TECH began working together just prior to Offshore Europe 99. University Consultancy Manager, Liz Bowie explained: "We were approached to carry out some consultancy work at very short notice and the company was delighted with the speed and quality of our response.
“Further discussions on how e2TECH could best interact with the University to benefit from its expertise and resources led to sponsorship of a PhD and occasional consultancy work.
“This is an excellent example of how our Oil and Gas Centre enables easy access to the wider University’s skills and expertise”
The Programme and its associated PhD studentship will run for three years
This innovative partnership approach has been warmly welcomed by Iain Percival, Vice President, Shell E&P Technology and Research: “I am delighted to be part of this development as a result of my position as Chairman of the Board of e2TECH. I have profited immensely from the education and development I gained as an undergraduate at Aberdeen University. It is immensely satisfying to be able to give something in return.
“The technology being deployed and further developed by e2TECH has all the potential to revolutionise the way in which wells are designed and built. It is entirely appropriate that young and able minds at work in Aberdeen can be part of this revolution.”
Further information from:
Dr Bill Deans, University of Aberdeen, Tel: 01224 272795
Mr Phil Burge, E2TECH, Tel: 01224 223055
Christine Cook, University of Aberdeen, Tel: 01224 272013