Privately-owned Obadare spent a "significant" investment to get the API certification by upgrading its state-of-the-art 5000sq.m facility, systems and processes, giving it the full range of services for the oil and gas sector from drilling and completions through to brownfields and all other upstream operations and maintenance.
Obadare managing director Matt Warner said the certification would provide a significant boost to Australia's industry, given that until now rig operators in Australia have had to fly in original equipment manufacturer representation from overseas.
This will also generate employment opportunities for the local industry, ensuring more of its economic benefits stay in Australia, he said.
"Significantly, we also have the potential to upgrade rigs to next-generation standards, taking advantage of local knowledge and operator requirements, while utilising the benefits of automation to generate further substantial cost savings," Warner said.
"API 4F certification is a vote of confidence in the quality of the Australian industry and its ability to provide world-class services locally."
He said the certification allowed Obadare to offer local and international operators the opportunity to supply customised new builds, service, upgrade and recertification of their rigs to a world standard in Australia, offering significant time and cost savings.
Though there are drilling bans in place in New South Wales and Victoria and a hydraulic fracturing moratorium in the Northern Territory, there's still plenty of activity across Queensland's major basins, one of which stretches into South Australia, to ensure business stays robust.
"In Australia, the Northern Gas Pipeline is expected to generate an uptick in drilling activity, with Northern Territory reserves now having direct access to market, along with our current work in the Surat, Cooper and Galilee Basins," Warner said.
"Meanwhile, major drilling contractors are also moving rigs abroad to take advantage of the global upturn and we can supply the API required inspections, repairs, upgrades and certifications here in Australia, making them drill-ready when they hit the ground overseas.
"With our new capabilities, the future for the Australian industry could be a majority of rigs being built and serviced in Australia - a ‘made in Australia' future for our multibillion-dollar oil and gas industry."
The company has also strengthened its team to build further capacity locally with the appointment of Darling Downs local Stephen Weir, who has significant experience in delivering oil and gas projects operating under API certification, as its new operations manager.
"Steve brings more than a decade of local industry experience spanning the mining, energy and industrial sectors. We're delighted to welcome him to the Obadare team as part of our investment in people and processes, which will deliver further growth for our business and local employment opportunities," Warner said.
Obadare, part of the FKG Group, provides drilling and completions, oilfield engineering, general engineering, transport and comprehensive inspection services to the mining energy and infrastructure sectors.
It delivers solutions for certified manufacturing, heavy fabrication, precision machining, specialist engineering, inspection and certification outcomes which drive efficiencies in construction, manufacturing and operating costs.
Its plant of specialised equipment includes professionals covering engineering, fabrication, machining, inspection and certification - collaborating to deliver a six-step integrated solution of concept, design, manufacture, commission, install and inspect.
