Viking Completion Technology has announced a key step in its commitment to supporting completion activities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by establishing a new entity and an API-certified in-country manufacturing, testing, and service facility.
The new entity is a Joint Venture with Abdulrahman Algosaibi Holdings (AGH), which operates locally established businesses, including Intelligent Energy Services (i-Energy) and Extreme Precision Company (XPRECISION).
The facilities launch culminates five years of investment and effort to establish Viking as a key supplier of completion equipment in the Kingdom. The Viking facility is only one of two in Saudi Arabia that holds API Q1, API 14A, API 11D1, API 19AC, and API 14L licenses, which are essential to be able to locally manufacture products such as Safety Valves, Packers, Seal Assemblies, Sliding Side Doors (SSD’s), and Landing Nipples to the required specifications of the end user.
Previously, Viking had a long track record of supplying its equipment to customers in Saudi Arabia, but now has the credentials and commercial vehicle to directly supply locally manufactured equipment, mitigating lead time and potential logistics issues.
The facility in Dhahran complements Viking's well-established Dubai premises, which has previously been solely responsible for supplying equipment to customers internationally for nearly 30 years. Willie Morrison, Managing Director at Viking Completion Technology, commented: "Achieving API-certified status and launching our Saudi Arabia entity is a huge milestone for our dedicated team, which I am immensely proud of, and would not have been possible without the support of our Joint Venture partner.
With AG Holding's local manufacturing capability, Viking is ideally placed to deliver as an In Kingdom Total Value Add supplier in line with the key objectives, social and economic requirements and strategic importance of the Saudi 2030 vision."
Abdulrahman Algosaibi, Chairman at AG Holding, commented: “This new facility is fully equipped with the latest capabilities for assembling and testing products, as well as for make-up and testing of completion assemblies. Skilled and experienced field personnel have been responsible for successful trial tests in Saudi Arabia over the last three years, meaning that in addition to our API Certification, we also have a wide range of catalogued products currently supplied from Out of Kingdom. Over the next 12 months, Viking will perform further trials while supplying several new product variations.
We are proud to be part of such a significant development for Viking in nearly three decades of operating. We look forward to welcoming customers to the facility and to keep demonstrating what we are capable of in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia."