Tailored solutions

Colombia

Dagoberto Guerrero, general manager of Seringtec, talks to The Energy Year about what distinguishes the company in consulting and engineering services, its primary services in the upstream, midstream and downstream sectors and how it is incorporating new technologies into its service offering. Seringtec provides technical engineering services for the industrial sector.

What distinguishes Seringtec in the competitive environment of consulting and engineering services?
Firstly, we have cultivated a strong team of experts, characterised by discipline and thoroughness, particularly in the upstream oil and gas sector. This team specialises in the development and design of exploratory and production wells, an area where Seringtec has become a leader. Our expertise extends to the design of production facilities, making us a comprehensive solution provider in the upstream segment.
Secondly, we have developed significant expertise in transport systems, such as gas pipelines, oil pipelines and polyducts. We have a very strong civil engineering division, with professionals with an excellent track record. This is important given Colombia’s challenging topography.

What are the company’s primary services in the upstream and midstream sectors?
Seringtec has extensive involvement in upstream projects for Ecopetrol and its business group across Colombia, offering services that cover the entire spectrum of upstream activities, from exploratory well design to the development of production wells and the necessary infrastructure for efficient production.
We also focus on optimising existing fields due to current policies that have slowed down new drilling and exploration, providing designs and solutions to maximise output and efficiency from mature assets.
In the midstream sector, we specialise in designing and maintaining transport systems, which are essential for moving oil and gas products efficiently across Colombia’s challenging geography. Our services encompass the entire transport chain, including pipelines, pumping stations and other crucial infrastructure.
We hold long-term framework contracts with various companies in the Ecopetrol group, such as Cenit, Esenttia and ODL [Oleoducto de los Llanos Orientales], which typically last three to five years. This shift towards longer contracts has enabled us to invest in long-term solutions and innovations while providing consistent, high-quality service to our clients.

What services does Seringtec provide in the downstream and petrochemicals sector?
Our service portfolio in these areas is designed to meet current industry needs and trends. We focus on maintaining and optimising existing operations rather than expanding or constructing new projects.
A core service provided by Seringtec in this sector is the comprehensive risk analysis of systems in refineries and petrochemicals plants. This analysis identifies potential vulnerabilities and areas for improvement, allowing clients to address issues proactively.
Based on these risk assessments, we develop and implement design and maintenance operations to mitigate identified risks and ensure the safe and efficient operation of facilities. Our tailored solutions address the specific needs and challenges of each facility.

How is the company incorporating new technologies and innovation into its services?
Technology, innovation and investment collectively represent one of Seringtec’s pillars. We currently invest around 8-9% of our total revenue in developing new technologies. We have established several specialised areas to address various technological needs.
This includes our AI division, which is focused on developing and implementing solutions to optimise processes and decision-making, and a data analytics area, which reflects the growing importance of big data in predictive maintenance and operational optimisation in the energy sector.
Moreover, our specialised tools area is dedicated to identifying, developing and implementing cutting-edge software and hardware tools, such as advanced modelling software and simulation tools, to enhance our engineering and consulting work. Additionally, our process-automation development area creates custom solutions to automate various aspects of oil and gas operations, improving efficiency and reducing human error.

How is Seringtec positioned in the renewable energy sector, particularly in hydrogen development?
Although 70% of our portfolio represents oil-and-gas-related projects, we are looking to expand over the renewables sector. Currently we are members of the Colombian Hydrogen Association, which demonstrates our commitment to leading hydrogen development in the country.
Initially we saw our strength in leveraging the transition from fossil fuels to renewables through grey and blue hydrogen, utilising Colombia’s existing gas and coal reserves. However, we recognise that the direction of this transition is now largely determined by government priorities, which may favour a faster shift to green hydrogen.
In our view, the state alone lacks the capacity to facilitate this transition effectively, and private sector involvement is crucial for realising Colombia’s hydrogen potential. In this sense, we are positioning ourselves to play a significant role in this emerging sector, leveraging our engineering expertise and our understanding of the Colombian energy landscape.

What are your plans for regional expansion and future growth?
Given the current local situation, we’re focusing on regional expansion, particularly in the Southern Cone of South America. We’ve already undertaken some projects in this area, which have given us valuable insights and established initial footholds.
One of the most significant steps in our expansion is setting up a subsidiary in Houston, United States. We view this as a key project for international growth, given Houston’s status as a major hub for the oil and gas industry. This subsidiary is more than just a way to enter the US market; it’s a platform for extending our global reach and enhancing our international credibility.
Our training centres, which are essential to our expansion, currently operate on a small scale, with 42 trainees in Cartagena and around 20 in Bogotá. However, we plan to decentralise and expand this initiative. By investing in our people, we’re laying the groundwork for long-term success in new markets.

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