Viking localises completions in Saudi Arabia

The drive towards a highly resilient, localised supply chain is rapidly reshaping the industrial landscape of the Middle East.

Viking Completion Technology (Viking) has officially established a formidable new manufacturing, testing, and service facility within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

This strategic move represents a major milestone in localising the production of crucial completion tools. By establishing a formally recognised entity and an API-certified, in-country operation, the organisation is actively securing the regional equipment pipeline. It demonstrates a structural shift from relying solely on international imports to nurturing high-specification domestic manufacturing.

A strategic joint venture in Dhahran

To execute this ambitious in-country expansion, Viking has formed a pivotal Joint Venture with Abdulrahman Algosaibi Holdings (AGH). This collaboration is anchored by AGH’s regional expertise, operating locally established businesses that include Intelligent Energy Services (i-Energy) and Extreme Precision Company (XPRECISION).

Situated in Dhahran, a historical nexus for the Kingdom's energy industry, the newly launched operation complements Viking’s established premises in Dubai. For nearly three decades, the Dubai facility served as the sole international supply hub for the organisation’s global customer base. Now, the Dhahran base introduces a dual-hub dynamic, providing a dedicated commercial vehicle to directly supply locally manufactured equipment to Saudi Arabian end users, decisively mitigating lead times and logistics issues.

Elite API certification and localised manufacturing

The inauguration of the Dhahran site is the culmination of half a decade of intensive investment and effort. Over these five years, the primary objective has been to firmly establish Viking as a premier, locally stationed supplier of completion equipment.

Crucially, the new operation is distinguished by its elite industry credentials. It stands as one of only two facilities within Saudi Arabia to hold a highly specific suite of API licenses, which are essential for manufacturing products to the rigorous specifications demanded by end users.

The facility boasts the following capabilities and certifications:

• Accreditations Held: API Q1, API 14A, API 11D1, API 19AC, and API 14L licenses.

• Locally Manufactured Products: Advanced completion tools including Safety Valves, Packers, and Seal Assemblies.

• Additional Components: Sliding Side Doors (SSD’s) and Landing Nipples.

Previously, Viking maintained a robust track record of out-of-country supply into Saudi Arabia. By shifting this capacity inward, the organisation is fundamentally altering how rapidly critical infrastructure can be deployed in the field.

Aligning with Vision 2030 objectives

The transition toward localised manufacturing carries profound economic implications for the region, aligning flawlessly with broader national industrial strategies and local value initiatives.

Willie Morrison, Managing Director at Viking Completion Technology, commented: "Achieving API-certified status and launching our Saudi Arabia entity is a huge milestone for our dedicated team, which I am immensely proud of, and would not have been possible without the support of our Joint Venture partner. With AG Holding's local manufacturing capability, Viking is ideally placed to deliver as an In Kingdom Total Value Add supplier in line with the key objectives, social and economic requirements and strategic importance of the Saudi 2030 vision."

This vision is shared by the Joint Venture leadership, emphasising the technical readiness and future capacity of the new site.

Abdulrahman Algosaibi, Chairman at AG Holding, commented: “This new facility is fully equipped with the latest capabilities for assembling and testing products, as well as for make-up and testing of completion assemblies. Skilled and experienced field personnel have been responsible for successful trial tests in Saudi Arabia over the last three years, meaning that in addition to our API Certification, we also have a wide range of catalogued products currently supplied from Out of Kingdom. Over the next 12 months, Viking will perform further trials while supplying several new product variations. We are proud to be part of such a significant development for Viking in nearly three decades of operating. We look forward to welcoming customers to the facility and to keep demonstrating what we are capable of in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia."

By establishing this API-certified footprint, the partnership ensures that top-tier completion technology is engineered and delivered right at the heart of the region's energy sector.