GEOLOG INTERNATIONAL
HELPING TO ADVANCE THE INDUSTRY
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GEOLOG INTERNATIONAL
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I PROFILE
Having dedicated more than 40 years to the craft, GEOLOG International is a world leader in the delivery of energy-based services, focused on optimising the operations of its customers. Director of Marketing & Development Lee Cockram explained more, in an exclusive interview with Inside Oil & Gas. Report by Imogen Ward. hrough the application of in-house
T
2000, the company was taken over by
AI and data science expertise,
current President Antonio Calleri, who
together with the optimisation of
introduced a new vision.
customer KPI’s are improved, well delivery
technology, to really advance how we can
is optimised and production delivery is
capture data on the surface,” Mr Cockram
accelerated, as GEOLOG International
explained. “Through his vision, Mr Calleri
works tirelessly to produce top-quality
successfully changed the world’s percep-
services that improve safety, cost
tion of mud logging, which enabled the
and efficiency.
company to expand internationally.
formation fluid and reservoir analyses,
“When it comes to our customers’ needs and requirements, we have the
“Mr Calleri has always invested heavily in
We have now worked in more than 70 countries.”
background and knowledge to find the very best solutions,” said Director of
Investing in innovation
Marketing & Development Lee Cockram.
In 2015, in line with GEOLOG’s vision
“Every well drilled is unique and comes
for technological advancement, the com-
with its own set of challenges. By working
pany established GEOLOG Technologies
closely with our customers, we work hard
(GEOTech), a subsidiary focused on
to address each individual challenge.”
research and development. The work
GEOLOG was established in 1982 to fill
here has led to a lot of positive research
a gap in the Italian geothermal market.
collaborations with a diverse range of
After struggling to find any companies able
companies, organisations and start-ups.
to perform surface logging, Founder Guido
“Before GEOTech was established, all R&D
Panci took matters into his own hands.
was completed in-house at our headquar-
Following the sad passing of Mr Panci in
ters in Italy,” Mr Cockram said. “At the time,
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GEOLOG INTERNATIONAL
I PROFILE
of efficiency, safety and data set collection,
New opportunities: One of the most recent projects, located in Ethiopia, marked a major milestone for GEOLOG. As the company’s first project within the region, it is expected to run in multiple stages and last for four years. This crucial project will give local communities access to electricity.
and the continuous dedication of the GEOTech team has led to several key developments at GEOLOG – one of which centres around the diversification of its markets.
Expanding into geothermal With geothermal energy becoming a more popular choice in the race to renewable
there was an increasing need for expansion,
energy, GEOLOG offers the perfect solution
and we had a lot of laboratory equipment
for essential hard-rock drilling. Having
that we wanted to use to help customers.
previously targeted the oil and gas market
Having a separate R&D company has been
with DrillVibe, the company realised the
hugely beneficial for that.”
requirements for geothermal wells were
GEOTech provides high-efficiency solutions for the oil, gas and geothermal
very similar to those of basement wells. “Through client feedback and
markets using advanced analysis technolo-
industry-wide trend tracking, we are
gies. The lab studies on offer at GEOTech
able to continuously adapt and evolve
range from characterisation and survey
our products to meet the requirements of
of rocks to maturity assessments.
our customers,”said Mr Cockram. “One of
The crucial work at GEOTech has enabled GEOLOG to improve the overall standards
84 Inside oil & gas
the current emerging trends is geothermal energy. To meet this increasing demand,
we have developed new technology and
stick slip is often missed, resulting in bit
adapted some of our long-standing tech.
and BHA damage.
“DrillVibe has been available for 20 years,
No matter the project, all the services
but its use for hard rock drilling meant it
provided by GEOLOG focus on reducing
had limited value within the oil and gas
drilling time and costs, improving rig
industry: most clients stop drilling once
safety, and characterising reservoirs.
they hit the basement. The uptake of
“The less time it takes to bring a well
geothermal has completely changed that.
online, then the less carbon is released into
To gain access to geothermal wells, com-
the atmosphere,” Mr Cockram explained.
panies need to drill through hard rock,
“With optimisation a growing customer
and DrillVibe is the perfect assistant for
priority, we strive to continuously improve
those operations.”
project efficiency.”
DrillVibe provides clients with vibration
With growing concerns over the environ-
detection and stick slip monitoring, ensuring
ment, GEOLOG has also targeted these
continuous analysis in real-time. Utilising
efforts internally and aims to be carbon
advanced software, the company’s sur-
neutral by 2035. To achieve that, it has
face systems can quickly identify stick
turned to geothermal and solar energy to
slip. Without this technology, downhole
meet its electricity requirements. GEOLOG
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GEOLOG INTERNATIONAL
I PROFILE
also offsets its carbon footprint and has
local workers or enriching the lives of
implemented efficiency improvements in all
local children.
its offices.
“Education is at the core of our values, and for the past two years, we have been
Prioritising education
collaborating with the charity organisation
GEOLOG has been involved with some
Befriend A Child, which seeks to enhance
key projects, both within its chosen mar-
the wellbeing of children from tough or
kets and the community more broadly.
troubled backgrounds, through meaningful
The company is dedicated to improving
experiences and trips. We’ve also made a
the wellbeing and educational access
significant donation to the Alaska Research
of children worldwide. Through GEOLOG
Education non-profit foundation, which
Foundation, the company has worked
provides an education to young people
alongside charity initiatives and non-
within remote areas of Alaska.”
profit organisations to provide resources and fund educational programmes.
To further its impact, GEOLOG also holds an annual golf tournament for
“GEOLOG Foundation actively engages
its clients. All funds raised help provide
in impactful endeavours demonstrating
essential education and educational
a commitment to making a positive differ-
resources for children from poor socio-
ence within the local community and
economic backgrounds.
further afield,” said Mr Cockram. “Wherever
With education a priority at GEOLOG,
we work, we ensure that money goes back
the company has also partnered with
into the area, whether that be from hiring
a number of universities within Europe
86 Inside oil & gas
to encourage young professionals into
allow students to interact with professionals
the industry.
from the industry and learn about
“We collaborate on various levels, to
ongoing developments.
give graduates the opportunity to enter
As it looks to the future, GEOLOG intends
the industry,” Mr Cockram explained. “One
to maintain its stellar reputation as a first-
of our core commitments is to hire locally,
class service provider. “When it comes to
so when we start a new project, we like to
quality, we are number one in the world at
make connections with local universities
what we do,” Mr Cockram concluded. “We
and graduates.”
intend to maintain that amazing position
The company also runs seminars and
whilst continuing to engage with commu-
workshops through its various university
nities to provide new opportunities for
partnerships. Using these platforms, GEOLOG
children and young adults that help
strives to create a knowledge exchange, to
them to thrive.”
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