Research and Development

Kudu holds 17 patents in the field of artificial lift using PCP’s, with 3 more pending which is more than all of the other suppliers in this field combined. Kudu does more research and development in artificial lift with PCP’s than all of the other service companies and oil companies combined.

The Chairman and founder of Kudu Industries Inc, Robert A.R. Mills, B.Sc., P.Eng., began working on the research and development of Progressing Cavity Pumps (“PCP’s”) in 1977, and was the first person in Canada to work in this field.

Kudu was selected by Shell Oil’s research department in The Hague to develop a PCP system to lift 1000 m3/day from 1700 m for wells in Oman.

The first PCP’s were installed in Canada in 1979 for the purpose of pumping heavy, sand-laden crude oil. Almost all of the subsequent development of PCP’s for artificial lift took place in Canada.

Kudu was founded in 1989 by Robert and Ray Mills to distribute PCP’s manufactured by PCM Pompes, S.A.

PCM Pompes in France was founded by the inventor of the progressing cavity pumps. Rene Moineau’s 1930 doctorate of science was awarded based on his thesis on "the new capsulism". His pioneering dissertation lays the groundwork for the progressive cavity pump. René Moineau partnered with Robert Bienaimé of the Gévelot group and founded PCM Pompes. The PCP pumps of today benefit from more than 70 years of elastomer research and pump technology. www.pcmpompes.com

Kudu created the market for high volume PCP’s in the high water-cut, medium crude oil wells of central Alberta, and, in alliance with PCM, has lead in the development of higher capacity and higher lift pumps since inception.

The market in medium crude required elastomers of superior resistance to those used in heavy oil, and Kudu/PCM has led in the development of more resistance elastomers since inception.

Approximately 40% of Canada’s oil wells now use PCP’s for artificial lift, and Canada is 80% of the World market for this technology.

Kudu is the second largest supplier of PCP’s in Canada and in the World. Kudu has 10 field service centres in Canada, locations in Kazakhstan and Australia as well as authorized distributors in the United States, Trinidad. Venezuela, Colombia and Kuwait. In 2005, Kudu also expanded its manufacturing and production by 50%

Kudu acquired Chriscor in 1999 and became the only supplier of PCP’s that manufactures all of the components of a PCP system, i.e., torque anchors, vibration dampers, centralizers, downhole water injection tools, insert systems etc.

Kudu has customer support engineers dedicated to its clients domestically and internationally. Kudu trains installation technicians to service all clients.

Kudu is certified ISO9001-2000.