Expro's iTONG™ Revolutionizes Offshore Operations with First Deployment in Africa

Business Wire

2 days ago

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Expro (NYSE: XPRO) has successfully deployed its Autonomous iTONG™ system for the first time in the Sub-Sahara Africa (SSA) region, for a major offshore operator off the Côte d'Ivoire. This milestone marks iTONG™'s first deepwater deployment, following its initial operation in Norway in 2021.
Expro secured the Tubular Running Services (TRS) contract aboard the Deep Value Driller (DVD) drillship, which arrived in Côte d'Ivoire in late 2023. The project supports the expansion of the Baleine field - the region's largest hydrocarbon discovery - for client Eni.
Revolutionizing offshore efficiency
iTONG™ is one of the industry's most technologically advanced tong systems, designed to enhance safety, efficiency, and sustainability. It eliminates the need for personnel to work in the hazardous Red Zone of the rig floor, significantly improves operational efficiency - saving considerable rig time, and in turn reducing net CO₂ emissions throughout the construction of a Well. By automating the connection make-up and break-out of casing and tubing joints, iTONG™ provides precise torque control from the push of a single button - operated safely from the driller's cabin - while enabling full connection make-up validation.
Following a rapid delivery, installation, and commissioning process on the DVD, iTONG™ quickly transformed offshore operations.
Enhanced efficiency and cost savings: Connection make-up times were cut by 50%, saving approximately $200,000 in cost per well project.
Faster connections: 'Park-to-park' connection times are now completed in just 90 seconds compared to 180 seconds with previous remote technologies.
iTONG™ makes history with Eni in Africa
Jeremy Angelle, Vice President of Well Construction commented: 'Since its introduction to Norway four years ago, iTONG™ has been recognized by major operators as a top-tier solution for tubular connection make-up and validation.
'In this case, its performance has exceeded expectations, with a 50% reduction in make-up times. The vision and commitment demonstrated by both Eni and Expro in introducing this technology to Africa exemplify a shared dedication to safer, more efficient operations.'
Jeremy added: 'iTONG™ continues to redefine industry standards, improving safety, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness for offshore operations worldwide. Thanks to cutting-edge systems like iTONG™, our R&D teams are leading the TRS industry in enhancing safety, reducing emissions, and driving global cost savings.'
ENDS
Notes to Editors
Working for clients across the well life cycle, Expro is a leading provider of energy services, offering cost-effective, innovative solutions and what the Company considers to be best-in-class safety and service quality. The Company's extensive portfolio of capabilities spans well construction, well flow management, subsea well access, and well intervention and integrity solutions.
With roots dating to 1938, Expro has approximately 8,500 employees and provides services and solutions to leading exploration and production companies in both onshore and offshore environments in more than 50 countries.
For more information, please visit and connect with Expro on Twitter @ExproGroup and LinkedIn @Expro.
This press release, and oral statements made from time to time by representatives of the Company, may contain certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding, among other things, the success, safety, efficiency and sustainability of the Company's tubular running services technologies, the Company's environmental, social and governance goals, targets and initiatives, and future growth, and are indicated by words or phrases such as "anticipate," "outlook," "estimate," "expect," "project," "believe," "envision," "goal," "target," "can," "will," and similar words or phrases. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the future results, performance or achievements expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based largely on the Company's expectations and judgments and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, many of which are unforeseeable and beyond our control. The factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to materially differ include, among others the risk factors identified in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, historical practice, or otherwise.