Strategic support assets for the UAE’s oil and gasfields

UAE

Sridhar Chinnasami, CEO of Galfar Engineering & Contracting Emirates, talks to The Energy Year about how the application of enhanced recovery methods is driving demand for flowline work and redesigning field processes to accelerate ADNOC’s operations and production. Galfar Engineering & Contracting Emirates is a multi-disciplined EPC company specialising in oil and gas projects.

What are some recent engagements that you have been working on?
Galfar’s current projects span all oil and gasfields in Abu Dhabi, as the company has productive assets spread over strategic locations. Galfar has re-engineered its entire site construction process, enhancing overall efficiency and resulting in faster delivery.
We are one of the prominent contractors for efficient, on-time tie-in of ADNOC’s new production wells to the main lines. Moreover, Galfar has the resources to enhance the yield of ageing wells through various methods proven and implemented by ADNOC.
Over the years, we have established resource bases at strategic points so that any production field can be reached efficiently. Apart from oil and gasfields, we are also engaged in projects for pipelines and related facilities stretching across the UAE.

How important is ADNOC for you as a client?
We operate across the UAE, but ADNOC is our main client. ADNOC’s focus, clear road map, timely support and guidance help us to complete projects on schedule while adhering to high quality and HSE standards.
Moreover, ADNOC’s innovative thinking on energy recovery projects provides us with challenging opportunities to employ advanced technologies and methodologies. This collaborative approach enables us to push the boundaries of our capabilities, ensuring that we deliver top-notch solutions while adhering to ADNOC’s ambitious production targets.

How do you organise your operations to cater to ADNOC’s requirements?
Galfar has maintained a good business relationship with ADNOC for the past 30 years. During this period, we have systematically structured our operations and invested in resources to enhance our EPC capabilities, ensuring we meet ADNOC’s requirements effectively.
ADNOC prioritises prompt execution to meet ambitious objectives. We have refined our field processes to align with ADNOC’s efficiency and standards in pursuit of excellence.
We have integrated contemporary technologies to improve off-site efficiency, thereby minimising on-site work and optimising processes. Successful execution necessitates thorough planning and meticulous implementation, which we keep improving continuously.

What are some of the benefits of working directly with ADNOC?
The foremost advantage is that ADNOC ensures timely payments and mitigates financial risks for contractors. Its commitment to long-term contracting opportunities and investment in large-scale projects facilitates high-value contracts.
Collaborating directly with ADNOC allows for better communication and eliminates delays, thus expediting approvals and optimising project execution. ADNOC prioritises generating in-country value, which can be achieved through long-term and high-value contracts. It is a sustainable nation-building initiative.

What steps are you taking to digitise your operations?
Digitising project orders reduces costs and delivery time, thereby improving overall efficiency. Cloud-based ERP systems have reduced the time required to process orders, and digital contracts and signatures eliminate paperwork. We have also implemented dashboard visualisations for project teams to track their progress in real time.
We ensure digital compliance with ADNOC, API, ISO and other applicable standards for smooth execution of projects. Also, we continuously upgrade our digital systems and our design and planning software to be at par with ADNOC’s progress.

Can you comment on your growth expectations for the next five years?
The world still depends on fossil fuels, and maintaining production is a challenging complex process. Drilling new wells and enhancing production in existing wells are continuous efforts that will bring sustainable growth for our business. Our growth strategy centres around adopting new technologies which result in faster delivery to clients and establishing environmentally friendly operations.
As the yield of existing wells drops, it is necessary to apply advanced recovery methods such as water or gas injections, depending on the location and nature of the wells. We are experiencing significant growth in such projects.
Many new projects are in the pipeline for the coming years, and Galfar is equipped with the right resources, experienced manpower, the latest design software and modern tools.

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