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PETROLEUM DIRECTORY: Company news in brief Lynx Enterprises gets a face-lift
ASRC Energy Services Lynx Enterprises, Inc. has recently undergone a name change to ASRC Energy Services, Regulatory & Technical Services.
Under the Lynx name AES-RTS has provided regulatory services that include environmental and regulatory consulting for permitting, compliance and planning activities.
AES-RTS will continue to operate in the same capacity while expanding its range of services to continually meet client needs.
Expansion has included the division of RTS into two main sectors — the Regulatory Services division and the Technical Services division. The addition of a Technical Services division has allowed the company to include environmental sciences, expanded GIS services, civil and geotechnical engineering, geological services and hydrology.
Bernie Nidowicz, a petroleum engineer, is the AES-RTS principal-in-charge.
Nidowicz describes the recent changes as a process. “We want to serve our clients to the best of our ability, and these steps are crucial. The synergistic energy and capabilities of AES-RTS and our staff are growing in all directions, and the forecast is bright.”
The company sees great potential for new development on the North Slope.
To meet demands, AES-RTS went from having 28 full-time employees in January 2006 to its current number of 47. From 2005 to 2006 the number of field employees increased from 10 to 45.
In the past AES-RTS put its primary focus on the regulatory aspects of projects, but with recent changes and additions RTS is geared to assist both established and new clients within all phases of the project life cycle.
The addition of professional services and experienced staff members has AES-RTS feeling primed for an expanded market and a broader cliental base.
Alaska Airlines introduces first cargo-passenger plane Alaska Airlines unveiled its first cargo-passenger plane in a new fleet February 1. The modified Boeing 737-400 is part of the Seattle-based company’s $100 million plan to upgrade its cargo operations. Airline officials say the fleet will primarily focus on Alaska along with some Seattle flights.
“This is about our recommitment to the Arctic and other rural parts of the state,’’ Bill MacKay, the airline’s senior vice president for Alaska said of the upgrades launched by an all-cargo freighter last summer.
The first of four combination planes was scheduled to begin service February 2 from Anchorage to the communities of Nome, Kotzebue, Barrow and Fairbanks as well as the industrial outpost of Deadhorse near Prudhoe Bay. The planes are designed to carry more cargo and have more comfortable passenger cabins than the 737-200s the new planes are replacing.
The front half of the aircraft can accommodate four cargo pallets and the other half has all-leather seating for 72 passengers and features more legroom and larger overhead bins.
Three more 737-400’s are scheduled to operate by this spring, MacKay said.
Pemco World Air Services in Dothan, Alabama, converted the new planes from all-passenger aircraft that joined the Alaska Airlines fleet in 1992. The airline also has options with Pemco to convert a second freighter and fifth combination aircraft, but no decision on that has been made, MacKay said.
The new fleet will have no effect on all-passenger aircraft with flights to and from Alaska, officials said.
Alaska Textiles is about accommodation Alaska Textiles can provide a customized fit for any size of its Korbana coverall. The garment is flame resistant, made of Indura Ultrasoft fabric and is used on the North Slope by many companies Alaska Textiles currently outfits.
Recently the company-custom made a size 8X coverall for a worker on the slope. It was the largest Alaska Textiles ever manufactured and shows “how committed we are to customizing products for our diverse slope workers,” said Clif Burnette, vice president.
The coverall has a heavy-duty, two-way brass zipper with a pleated bi-swing back. Extras include two patch breast pockets with a flap and pencil slot on the left pocket and sleeve, and two hip pockets with a snap closure on the left hip pocket. Also included is a 2-in-1 utility pocket on the right leg, with side access to pants with a snap closure. For more information contact Alaska Textiles in Anchorage at (907) 265-4880.
Arctic Controls welcomes Erica Snare Arctic Controls would like to welcome Erica Snare as the newest edition to its team. Snare has taken over administrative duties at the company. A long-time Alaskan, Snare had the unique opportunity to travel throughout rural Alaska during her “other life” as a geologist. She credits her experience at remote work sites for her attention to detail, ensuring every order that comes through Arctic Controls is processed correctly and delivered on time to clients.?Snare says she’s enjoyed working with everyone at the company. “It’s been a rewarding experience and I look forward to continued work with great customers and the rest of the sales team here at Arctic Controls.”
Arctic Wire Rope honored as manufacturer of the year On February 20 Arctic Wire Rope & Supply received the Made in Alaska Manufacturer of the Year Award sponsored by the Alaska Department of Commerce and the Made in Alaska Program.
Accepting the award on the company’s behalf was Jill Reeves, sales manager, Gary Moore, rigging shop foreman, and Disston Lagnas, sewing department foreman.
The presentation took place at the Made in Alaska Anchorage workshop at the BP Energy Center in Anchorage. ?
Arctic Wire Rope & Supply was established in 1983 by Eric McCallum, the company’s owner and president.?The company has been certified in the Made In Alaska program since April 15, 1994.?
Arctic Wire Rope & Supply provides custom-made wire rope and nylon slings and harnesses, and does on-site fabrication and testing of harnesses, braces and slings for use in an industrial environment such as on oil rigs.?
Any active Made In Alaska permit holder is eligible to receive the Manufacturer of the Year award. When deciding who should receive the award, the program considers time in business, innovations, job creation, originality and representation of the Alaska spirit.
Nelson promoted to president, CEO at ASRC Mark Nelson has been named president and CEO of ASRC Energy Services. Nelson was promoted to the position from his job as chief operating officer of ASRC Construction Holding Company. The promotion went into effect January 11.
Nelson has more than 20 years of management experience, which includes senior vice president of AES Operations and Maintenance and vice president and president of APC Natchiq.
A 24-year resident of Alaska, Nelson holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Idaho, is a certified project management professional from the Project Management Institute and has an Alaska mechanical administrators license.
In addition to his professional work, Nelson is a member of the advisory board for the University of Alaska Anchorage’s Engineering Science Project Management program. He also serves as both vice chair of the board and chair of the finance committee for Covenant House, and is active in various United Way committees.
ASRC Energy Services is a subsidiary of Arctic Slope Regional Corporation. The company provides integrated engineering, procurement, construction operations and maintenance services for energy and communications projects around the world.
Carlile’s new driver simulator a first in Alaska Carlile Transportation Systems has purchased and installed a new truck-driving simulator at its Anchorage terminal. The state-of-the-art, computerized simulator is the first of its kind in Alaska and is custom designed to mimic specific Alaska roadway conditions for enhanced driver training and safety.
The simulator is realistic, high resolution, and interactive.
Both new and experienced drivers will use the simulator to become familiar with a specific truck style and road conditions before they get out on the highway. It can be programmed to mimic varying weather and road conditions such as hills, ice, fog or road hazards like debris or stalled vehicles.
The computer retains driver performance and can be replayed by an instructor for training purposes. It’s expected to be helpful for testing drivers for the often challenging Alaska Haul Road.
“The new training simulator will enhance Carlile’s safety program by reducing accidents, improving driver skills, increasing fuel economy, saving costs and saving lives,” said company president, Harry McDonald. “It also allows for non-driving employees to get practice behind the wheel so they can train to move into a driving position.”
AECOM Acquires RETEC to Merge with ENSR AECOM Technology Corporation, a global provider of professional technical and management support services for the transportation, facilities and environmental markets, announced on January 29 the acquisition of The RETEC Group, Inc., an environmental management consulting and engineering firm.
RETEC will be integrated with AECOM’s ENSR subsidiary, an environmental service platform serving public and private sector clients worldwide. The combined firm already has a strong presence throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and Latin America.
“By joining forces with ENSR, we can provide our clients with greatly expanded services,” said Ben Genes, president of RETEC. “For clients with international operations, we can offer a much broader global platform for service delivery.”?
ENSR is a worldwide environmental service company, serving industrial and commercial companies and government agencies, with 2,000 employees and over 95 offices worldwide.?
ENSR provides consulting, engineering, remediation, and environmental health and safety management solutions. It has won numerous environmental business and health and safety awards from companies such as BP, Textron and ExxonMobil Asia Pacific, as well as from the Environmental Business Journal. ?
RETEC is an environmental management consulting and engineering firm that specializes in solving complex problems throughout the business life cycle – from new asset development to ongoing operations as well as final asset disposal and restoration.? RETEC brings to ENSR a strong focus on the oil and gas industry, electric and gas utilities, and also the transportation and manufacturing sectors.?
“Acquiring RETEC is another important milestone in our goal of achieving environmental market leadership,” said Bob Weber, ENSR president and CEO.?“Our two companies share strong business values and an unwavering commitment to superior client service – a foundation of our overall business strategy.”?
Murtagh takes on new role at NATCO Terry Murtagh recently took on the new position of manager of business development for Canada and Alaska. Murtagh has had a long and notable career with NATCO working as a project manager and manager of the technical operations division before moving into business development.
NATCO is a provider of wellhead process equipment, systems and services used in the production of oil and gas. For over 75 years the company has designed, manufactured and marketed production equipment and services used for onshore and offshore work in many of the major oil and gas producing regions of the world.
Schlumberger releases second well cementing book On February 20 Schlumberger announced the publication of the second edition of Well Cementing, a comprehensive reference book originally published in 1990.
Available from the SPE Bookstore, the book describes current cementing technologies and includes full-color illustrations and photographs.
Chapters on cement chemistry, cement additives, rheology, mud removal and cement-formation interactions communicate theoretical and practical information.
More than 20 industry experts representing operators, service companies, manufacturers, government agencies and academia contributed to the book.
Dominique Guillot of Schlumberger and Erik Nelson, consultant and retired from Schlumberger, edited this second edition.
Schlumberger is an international oilfield services company supplying technology, information solutions and integrated project management for the purpose of optimizing reservoir performance for customers working in the oil and gas industry.
STEELFAB builds 15 modules for Pioneer STEELFAB is in the process of fabricating 15 steel modules for installation on the Oooguruk gravel island drill site currently under construction in the Beaufort Sea.?The Oooguruk field will be operated by Pioneer Natural Resources on the North Slope. Richard Faulkner, STEELFAB’s president, said the 750,000-pound job designed by EEIS Consulting Engineers should be completed in early 2007.?
STEELFAB is Alaska’s largest locally owned steel fabricator and service center.
Pinnell joins Univar, still finds time to fish Kelly Pinnell has joined the ranks of the customer service professionals at Univar USA in Anchorage.? “Pinnell’s solid can-do Alaskan attitude compliments his genuine pursuit of customer satisfaction,” according to Ken Lambertsen, Univar branch manager.?Raised in Michigan while dreaming of Alaska, Pinnell learned the Midwestern values of hard work coupled with adventure.?
Since being in Alaska Pinnell has established himself as one of the state’s premier fishing enthusiasts and has written two books about fishing in the Great Land.? Univar suggests you give Pinnell a call; he’s always available to discuss a company’s chemical requirements, or the art of fishing.?
If you’d like to meet Pinnell, stop by the Mt. View Sports booth or check out one of his seminars at this year’s Great Alaskan Sportsman Show in Anchorage March 29 – April 1, where he’ll be showcasing his books.
Usibelli’s been busy Usibelli Coal Mine has a number of notable announcements this quarter.
Since January 27, 2004, the company has achieved 1,105 consecutive no-lost-time injury days. Keith Walters, UCM general manager reports, “this is a significant accomplishment considering the challenging conditions we work in every day, while maintaining an impressive on-time delivery schedule to our customers.”??
Joe Usibelli, Jr., president of UCM, said, “I am tremendously proud of every employee. We enjoy a very professional and dedicated workforce with great leadership and teamwork. Accomplishments like this don’t come easy. One of our primary goals is to take care of people and provide a secure and safe workplace.”
Partners in defense — On January 11, 2007 The Defense Logistics Agency recognized UCM with the Business Alliance Award. The award is for?outstanding efforts to partner with the Defense Logistics Agency?and improve the Agency’s mission — providing supplies and services to America’s war fighters. DLA Director, Army Lieutenant General Robert T. Dail presented the award for Outstanding Readiness Support.
Partners in environment — During the Northwest Mining Association conference in Reno, Nevada in January 2007, UCM was recognized for outstanding environmental stewardship.
International contract — UCM recently secured an export contract for three shipments of coal to South America during the first half of 2007. The Alaska Railroad will transport the coal from Healy?to the Port of Seward where it will be loaded on Panamax vessels capable of approximately 70,000 tons payload.
Well-earned promotion — Scott Stowell has recently been promoted to the position of assistant maintenance manager at Usibelli Coal Mine in Healy, Alaska.??Stowell has been with UCM?for?more than?30 years. Keith Walters, the General Manager said, “Scott understands?mining operations and maintenance of equipment exceptionally well and has a lot of experience in the shops and the supply?warehouse, and?is the resident expert in regard to environmental compliance.”
Xtel International introduces three new products Xtel International has developed a DC voltage/current sensor that draws less than 2mA. The sensor is primarily used to measure the forward and reflected RF power of an antenna system and can also be used with current shunts to measure DC current draw of equipment.
Intended for operators of remote communications sites, the product’s low current consumption is useful for keeping track of VSWR and DC power usage or power generation.
Xtel has also introduced a low power, low temperature video camera that doesn’t require a computer or heater to operate.
The camera works with an XTA callout unit and allows the user to receive alarms via telephone and email while providing access to live video on demand. The company says the camera is “great for forestry and other environmental monitoring groups.”
Xtel would also like to announce that it’s finalizing the new Xtel Monitoring Web site.
The site will gather information from XTA callouts and give users the ability to generate work orders based on alarms, view graphical representations of logged data and download logged data for further analysis.
With an appropriately equipped XTA, clients will be able to receive an alarm on their phone, listen to local audio in real time through the phone line, zoom in with the camera in live mode and have a log of events for their records. Clients will also be able to rent space on Xtel’s Monitoring site, something the company is doing to save clients the cost of developing or hosting their own.
For more information on additional products in development that focus on low power, low temperature, remote site monitoring and control, email [email protected].
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