SICOTTE DRILLING & DIAMOND DRILL – TOGETHER THEY PROVIDE COMPLETE ROLLERCONE & PDC SOLUTIONS
Many large drill bit companies carry both rollercone and polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) bits, but in a unique situation two small, independent companies are working together to provide integrated drilling solutions – from surface to TD. Sicotte Drilling Tools, Inc., which specializes in best-in-class rollercone bits and hole openers, has supplied rollercone bits and related products and services since 1976. Sicotte, headquartered in Edmonton, is the exclusive North American distributor for TSK bits of Japan. Diamond Drill Bit-Tech Canada, which specializes in top-of-the-line matrix PDC bits, is active in southeastern Saskatchewan’s Bakken play. Diamond Drill, which manufactures its own bi-center bits for coalbed methane work at its Acheson facility (20 kilometres west of Edmonton), is the exclusive distributor for Bit-Tech SPH, Inc. of Waskom, Texas – from Colorado north, and recently, for East Texas. “Since 2005, we’ve been working with Diamond Drill to offer our customers the best drilling solutions,” explains Sicotte’s owner Steve Shim. “This relationship has been very unique and successful.” “By sharing fi eld and Calgary-based business development resources, we keep our costs down,” says Diamond Drill chief executive Gordie Bath. “Even though our offices are about 40 kilometres apart, we are in constant contact to get the jobs done.”Steve Shim and Gordie Bath worked together at Security DBS, a Halliburton company, where they realized they had the same goals and ambitions. Shim bought the venerable Sicotte Drilling Tools & Supply Ltd. in 2003. Two years later Bath left Halliburton to start Diamond Drill with his partner Darren Gregoryk. Shortly thereafter they began their drilling joint venture. While the two companies work together seamlessly (each company’s business cards prominently display the other company’s co-ordinates), especially in directional drilling jobs, each has its own particular expertise.
Sicotte, a former family-run business (founded by Fred Sicotte 32 years ago and taken over by his son Rollie Sicotte in 1987), specializes in the rental and sale of new steel tooth and tungsten carbide insert (TCI) rock bits, carrying almost every type and size available – from 1-7/8” to 26”. “Our customers choose their bits from a comprehensive list of North American manufacturers, as well as TSK Bits,” SteveShim explains. “We can design, manufacture and deliver custom bits in just 120 days.” TSK, founded in 1919 and a division
of TIX Corporation of Japan, is that country’s leading API and ISO 9000 manufacturer of rollercone bits. It uses the most advanced heat treatment facilities as well as the latest industrial robotics and computerized machining technology. TSK’s bits have been used around the world by customers such as Chevron, Texaco and Imperial Oil. Here in Alberta, Sicotte uses premium hardfacing materials and technology to rebuild its steel tooth bits to enhance their performance. “Every bit is carefully selected by our experts before reconditioning. Our quality? We are ISO 9000 certified and have more than 30 years of consistency in service and quality,” Shim explains. In order to expand its array of bits, Sicotte is focusing on SAGD (steam-assisted gravity drainage) wells, mostly in the Fort McMurray area. Its highly durable bits, ideal for abrasive oilsands, are already in high demand from producers such as EnCana, ConocoPhillips and Bronco Energy, just to name three.
DIAMOND DRILL DELIVERS
For Gordie Bath, who got his start in the oilpatch 30 years ago as a roughneck with Capri Drilling, his business relationships with Sicotte Drilling and Bit-Tech are extremely beneficial and fruitful. Both Diamond Drill and Sicotte are nimble and alert, able to respond quickly and efficiently to any customer
TOGETHER THEY PROVIDE COMPLETE ROLLERCONE & PDC SOLUTIONS
• 13 mm face cutters;
• Patented technology; and
• Availability in 7-
7/8” and 8-3/4” sizes.
For slimhole and horizontal applications, the Bit-Tech HPB, with 8 mm face cutters, has all the features of the B45. In addition to being an exclusive distributor for two large areas in North America(Colorado north and East Texas), Diamond Drill is a 50-50 partner with Bit-Tech in a new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Conroe, Texas, scheduled to be operational in 2010. From its 4,500- square-foot facility in Acheson, Diamond Drill is poised to expand its capabilities throughout Western Canada and in the United States with its independent partner, Sicotte Drilling. They are together on delivering the best in service and product. And they are just a 35 minute drive apart.
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