ABU DHABI—-State-run National Drilling Company (NDC), which has won a contract from Adma-Opco for the provision of a maintenance barge in a competitive  

ABU DHABI—-State-run National Drilling Company (NDC), which has won a contract from Adma-Opco for the provision of a maintenance barge in a competitive bidding, said it has recently set up an independent division in the company to oversee new businesses of providing specialised engineering services to the oil industry, said Abdul Monem Saif Al Kindi, General Manager NDC.


"In Abu Dhabi Company for Onshore Oil Operations (ADCO), pre-qualification process has been completed for Directional Drilling services and to date four wells have been successfully completed ", Abdul Monem Saif Al Kindi GM said while in a speech at an inaugural ceremony of $100 million worth new rig called Al Hail.

Yousef Omeir bin Yousef, Secretary General of Supreme Petroleum Council (SPC) was the chief guest on the occasion, who also inaugurated the rig. The ceremony was attended by General managers of Adnoc Group companies, senior managers, diplomats, high ranking officials and executives from the oil industry.

Al Kindi said that reason for setting up a separate division is to follow up and oversee the progress in these new businesses, so that attention to core business is maintained. "To this end NDC has initiated a benchmarking exercise to test its performance, services, and rates with the market. In the process, NDC offers its customer's unparalleled transparency and influence in its offered services", Al Kindi said.

He said that the new Rig Al Hail is a part of an extensive investment plan for asset renewal, either by rig modernisation projects such as for Rig Al Itihad, and currently Rig Junana, or the purchase of new assets such as Al Hail. Capital investment in the past five years was over Dh1.5 billion that is three times the level of expenditure in the preceding five years. This significant investment was made in order to insure that NDC assets surpass the level in the industry in terms of quality and integrity standards.

GM NDC said that Al Hail, the latest addition to NDC fleet of offshore rigs, was built by Keppel FELS, in Singapore costing $100 million and was completed ahead of time and on budget. The timing for the construction was critical, because, as anticipated by the company, building rates skyrocketed soon after the award to over $140 million for the same type rig, with much longer delivery periods of over 40 months.

The fully automated rig introduces to the region a vast array of options that have not been seen before, including: State of the Art joy stick operated Drillers console: Remote control pipe handling, transfer and racking system.

Enhanced power: Hydraulic and pressure capabilities: Modern accommodation, equipped with leisure, fitness, conferencing facilities and mosque.

During the construction phase 2.2 million man hours, where worked without a single lost time injury.

The Drilling Industry is quite a challenging one, being driven by increasing needs for improved HSE performance, efficiency and application of technology. It is also an integral part of Oil exploration, development, and production.

The creation of NDC 33 years ago is indicative of the wisdom of the late Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and the follow up of the UAE President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who saw the need to create a dedicated company to provide drilling services in the Emirate. During this period NDC drilled, and worked over more than 4000 wells, drilling more than 21.5 million feet. That is more than the radius of the earth, which 20,900,000 feet.

He said that the company is forecasting significant and sustainable growth in the demand for drilling and related services, and is targeting a small portion of this growth, with the full appreciation that its participation with other service providers can only improve the service to the Operating Companies, by promoting efficiencies, best practices, and greater transparency. NDC gained expertise in new businesses will offer greater opportunities for its workforce, especially UAE Nationals, whose intake has significantly increased.

In order to achieve this goal, the company was supported by the Operating Companies and successfully qualified itself in a number of important services.