MRDS Group is recognised as a global leader in providing equipment maintenance solutions to the energy sector. Following its acquisition by Garrick Group in 2020, the UKheadquartered company has expanded into the United Arab Emirates and has ambitions to build growth in new fields. Andy Probert caught up with Managing Director Ian McGillivray and Sales Director Ryan Coats to discuss the company’s evolution.
Established in 2015, MRDS Group has achieved much in its relatively short lifespan and is primed to grow even stronger in the international energy sector
The UK-headquartered company specialises in the project management, inspection, repair and overhaul of oilfield drilling and marine equipment, both onshore and offshore. Yet, it harbours major ambitions to enter new markets, such as the renewables and decommissioning sectors, and stamp its credentials as a quality-driven, service-focused provider.
With more than 100 years of combined experience, its senior management has been bolstered by two key milestones: acquisition by Aberdeen-based investment firm Garrick Group in 2020 and expansion into the United Arab Emirates. “Our acquisition has not only helped to sustain our business growth path throughout the UK and West Africa, but ensured MRDS is well positioned to tap into the incredible potential of MENA’s energy sector and build a solid platform to increase its international footprint,” said Ian McGillivray, Managing Director.
Service profile
MRDS services all vessel types, from drilling platforms, jack-ups and turbine installation vessels to semi-submersibles, drill ships and land-based rigs. It offers a wide range of engineering support, such as oilfield equipment subject experts, to talented field service technicians with vast experience in mechanical, hydraulic and electrical work.
Mr McGillivray outlined how MRDS engineers have operated throughout the UK, Europe, the Middle East, Asia Pacific and West Africa. Having agreements with key European shipyards, its engineers are certified for local and international work. MRDS also undertakes a variety of projects, including the reactivation of
cold and warm stacked rigs, five-yearly drilling equipment overhauls and recertification projects.
“We are focused on maintaining and overhauling the hearts and lungs of the drilling rig to ensure it can safely perform in the field,” said Mr McGillivray.
MRDS is also working on becoming a Tier 1 contractor for its international client base, which primarily includes international and national drilling contractors, operators and large service engineering houses.
It also supplies oilfield capital equipment and associated spare parts to meet clients’ needs worldwide. “We have extensive experience in competitive lead times because we offer rapid supply chain solutions,” continued Mr McGillivray. “A major
strength is extensive knowledge of critical parts and consumables to supply drilling equipment. MRDS always goes beyond the call of duty to deliver customer satisfaction.”
UAE and beyond
MRDS employs over 50 people and has an impressive contracting pool of technicians to call on, to cater to the scale of the project.
It completed a rig reactivation at a UAE shipyard for an oil company operating in West Africa. “This was followed up by the same client with a rig-re-activation in Holland using a team of about 15 service technicians,” said Mr McGillivray. “This demonstrates our abilities to work wherever and whenever, scaling up or down for a key project.”
The company has also completed periodic surveys on semi-submersible rigs in Norway and Holland for an international drilling contractor. “That includes jack-ups in shallow water and semi-submersibles in harsh environments, so the level of sophistication in our work is increasing,” he added
“We have an excellent reputation with drilling contractors and operators, and of getting the job done when others cannot within a given timeline,” agreed Mr Ryan Coats, Sales Director. “Our ambitions now run to expanding into the decommissioning and renewables sectors as they hold enormous potential.”
“MRDS saw 50 per cent growth in 2022, compared to 2021, and we predict double-digit year-on-year growth in
2023,” Mr McGillivray said. “As part of our strategy to expand into new markets, MRDS has completed decommissioning solutions for a client, focused on plug and abandonment for a semi-submersible and jack-up rig. We are also keen to transfer our skills into the renewables sector.”
Initially focused on work in the UK North Sea, the company expanded its operations by opening a 10,000sqft workshop in Dubai’s Jebel Ali Free Zone in 2021.
“This move has vastly increased our client base,” explained Mr McGillivray. “MRDS is supporting international clients in the Middle East, West Africa, Indonesia and Malaysia, from our Jebel Ali workshop and office.
“MRDS invested there because of the client base and the sheer volume of potential rig work in the Middle East. Although MRDS has only been 18 months in the UAE, we are already making a mark with the quality standards on our projects.”
When the UAE branch was created, it was staffed by engineers from the UK, but that has quickly transitioned to a locally-based multi-national team of highly-skilled engineers. The branchhas since completed various significant contracts.
Strengthened by acquisition
MRDS’ acquisition by Garrick Group three years ago enabled the company to sustain its global position and diversify into new sectors. At the time, Mr Ronnie Garrick of Garrick Group said: “MRDS has built up an impressive reputation in the oil and gas industry for its drilling repair services and is a solid platform for the business to grow into global markets, which is where we aim to take it.
“The company has continued to thrive through the pandemic, which is a testament
to its loyal customer base and impressive track record.”
“MRDS has gone from strength to strength in the North Sea and international markets,” added Mr McGillivray. “The investment from Garrick Group will allow the company to sustain its international growth while making more of an impact to future-proof the company for years to come.
“The company has worked in over 20 countries on four continents and looks forward to continued growth in the energy sector. What drives us to achieve the best with clients is to deliver consistent quality service standards across all our operations, as well as maintaining good communications and trust.”
“The potential for MRDS going forward is to grow and meet the opportunities that come to us,” he concluded. “We are just starting to scratch the surface of what can be achieved. The future is bright and exciting, given our pipeline of projects for 2023-24.”
