Ask The Expert : Blockage Remediation
We asked each of our blockage remediation specialists just what it takes when dealing with blockages. First up is Nelson Osorio, leader of the GATE Energy Flow Assurance Team.
What’s your proudest accomplishment with regards to blockage remediation?
To me, one of the most important accomplishments is to be one of the developers of the current GATE Energy blockage remediation methodology that has been successfully implemented on over 90% of our blockage remediation projects.
This methodology employs a careful combination of theoretical and practical knowledge altogether with field experiences and has been the ingredients to a successful development.
What big numbers/results have you helped your Clients achieve?
Most recently I worked in a project in West Africa that could have cost to the client about $6 to $7 MM to solve.With the diligent application of our methodology developed through the years, we were able to reduce that cost to around $300K. A significant reduction in expenditures to remediate the blockage.
What’s the most difficult challenge you have had to deal with when it comes to blockage remediation?
Spending time in engineering assessment is seen by many as a waste of time, but experience has shown that dealing with an unknown blockage can be even more costly, especially if the wrong ‘solution’ is chosen. I believe spending a little more time and diagnosing the problem and devising the relevant solution can be the most cost/benefit.
How would you describe your team and the people that you work with?
Our team is comprised of very talented and experienced engineers that have been exposed to different areas of the oil and gas industry.They are objective-driven, detailed-oriented and out-of-the-box thinkers. The engineers I work with have a high understanding of the complexities associated with oil and gas developments and we strive everyday to make it work right the first time.
