A multidisciplinary engineering and construction company, Advanced Petro Services offers services to the oil, gas, industrial and power sectors in the Middle East. Through innovative technology, skilled professionals and strategic partnerships, the company is a leader of the energy sector. CEO Rajesh Nair discussed investments and future plans, in conversation with Antonia Cole.
The CEO of Advanced Petro Services (APS), Mr Rajesh S Nair, emphasised the significance of the UAE as a foundation for the company’s success. He praised the nation’s safety, prosperity and visionary leadership, highlighting the role of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, whose dedication and foresight have transformed the country into a global model of progress and excellence. Mr Nair further expressed his gratitude to Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC),
APS’ major client, for its unwavering support and innovative projects. He noted that ADNOC’s trust and initiatives have been pivotal in driving APS’ growth, serving as both the fuel and inspiration behind its achievements in the oil and gas sector. He underscored the importance of this partnership in enabling the company to reach new milestones in its journey.
Since its establishment in 2007, APS has grown organically, with remarkable strides and accelerated growth following the
inception of its oil and gas division in 2018.
“Over the next five years, we aim to achieve 150 per cent growth,” Mr Nair said. “Through substantial investments into our headquarters, facilities and workforce, we have prepared ourselves for the future.”
The company employs 2,000+ people, 500 of whom are qualified engineers, enabling a comprehensive and professional service.
Operating in the upstream, midstream and downstream sectors, APS offers a broad portfolio of services. This includes everything from engineering, design, project management, asset integrity, construction and commissioning to supply chain
management, inspection services, maintenance services, expedition services and more.
Strategically headquartered in Abu Dhabi, the company operates across the UAE and generates a turnover of 240 million AED.
APS is committed to meeting the needs of its diverse clients and integrates trust, integrity and ethics into its strategy to maintain long-term relationships.
“Quality is vital to us,” added Mr Nair. “We do things the right way for both customers and employees. Recently we achieved the significant milestone of 1.9 million safe man-hours on an ongoing EPC project
with ENOC. Safety has always been our top priority, and this was a proud moment. Collectively, as of now, we have achieved over 18 million safe man-hours across all our projects.”
Tailored services
Delivering customised design, engineering, procurement and construction services, APS is involved in a variety of projects, providing innovative and effective solutions to a range of clients. From petrochemical plants and telecommunications to pipelines and storage tanks, APS offers a broad portfolio of services tailored to satisfy client needs.
“We provide total solutions to customers,” explained Mr Nair. “We take the time to understand their requirements and adapt our services to suit them. As a company, we are known for our flexibility and fasttrack projects. If there is an issue, then we utilise our resources to solve it quickly and efficiently. With such a large team of talented professionals and other time-proven resources, we deliver a responsive service.”
In 2023, APS signed a land lease agreement with Khalifa Economic Zone Abu
CEO RajeshNair
Dhabi (KEZAD). KEZAD is an integrated trade, logistics and industrial hub equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure and services. This partnership has enabled APS to upgrade its facilities and improve production capacity and quality. The company has invested 22 million AED into its headquarters, manufacturing facilities and workshops.
“We are geared up to manufacture a lot of equipment for the energy sector, especially for construction,” continued Mr Nair. “We can weld up to 1,000,000-inch dia of piping to 10,000 tonnes of structural steel a year whilst maintaining the highest quality and safety standards. Through the development of our team, we support our customers with quick solutions. For example, we aim to minimise potential shutdowns or pipe leakages through our efficient live-repair services.”
Flexible projects
A significant project for APS was in 2020. ADNOC had a critical project with strict time constraints. The project involved the construction of two plants, which APS completed in only four months.
“This was a big challenge as we were still working under the restrictions of the pandemic,” commented Mr Nair. “Our ability to meet the needs of clients is what allows us to undertake demanding projects like
this and deliver quick, successful results. Recently, we completed a project addressing a serious refractory failure in a boiler, resolving the issue in just 19 days.”
The company also has a global network of offices to ensure responsive communication for clients around the world. APS has partner offices in Italy, South Korea and India, plus strategic satellite offices to support EPC projects. This system allows the company to help clients with urgent projects and provide fast services.
To complete these projects to a high standard, the company regularly offers training programmes to its employees. From improving technical knowledge to raising environmental awareness, APS supports employees in their continuous development. Investing in its workforce prepares the company for the future. APS is also concentrating to utilise blockchain, AI and data analytics to improve transparency and enable real-time monitoring of supplier performance.
“We are also preparing for a sustainable future,” added Mr Nair. “A major focus for us is exploring renewable and low-impact energy sources and while working to minimise the industry’s impact. We are involved in a variety of decarbonisation and alternative energy (like solar and geothermal) initiatives, including a project that enhanced oil recovery through carbon capture/CO2 injection. As a company, we are looking to transform our facilities into AI-friendly and green buildings to meet our ambitious technological advancement and environmental targets.”
Growing connections
With the fossil fuel industry adapting to meet new sustainability requirements and regulations, APS is planning a long-term strategy, taking into account both emerging risks and opportunities. Although currently there are many projects available in the oil and gas sector, APS is also preparing to take advantage of the changing infrastructure that will pioneer the future. From electric vehicles to solar energy, the company is exploring opportunities in sustainable development in compliance with UAE’s economic objectives. APS has built strong connections with suppliers and partners to support its progression into the future. The company facilitates open and continuous communication, fostering longstanding relationships. With a global supply network, APS is more resilient to global changes or issues. For instance, APS has established a partnership with TEVERRA, based in Atlanta, USA, while its sister concern has formed partnerships with Sage Geothermal Energy Systems and Nabors Drilling Solutions, both headquartered in Houston, Texas. These companies allow APS to supply high-quality products and services and meet the demands of its clients.
“Our partnerships will allow us to continue expanding into the future,” continued Mr Nair, in conclusion. “There are many opportunities for us to grow, which we are currently delving into. Since 2018, our turnover has grown from one million AED to 240 million AED, and we believe this is only around 20 per cent of our potential growth so far. I am very excited for what the future holds here at APS.” n
