Aker Solutions Buys Separation Specialist

Aker Solutions is buying Separation Specialists Inc., a California-based provider of produced water de-oiling products and field services, which strengthens the international oil services company's position in the produced water de-oiling segment.

"With the acquisition of Separation Specialists, we are able to offer a complete produced water de-oiling solution from one vendor. There is also an excellent cultural fit between the two entities, which we look forward to further developing," says David Merle, head of Aker Solutions' process systems business.

Aker Solutions will immediately be able to offer Separation Specialists' products, such as nutshell filters (NSF), mechanical induced gas flotation (IGF) and field services, through its global distribution and execution network. This will enable the company to go to market with an integrated produced water de-oiling treatment offering, in addition to its existing crude oil treatment offering.

"The acquisition offers an entry point for Aker Solutions' products and services to Separation Specialists' existing client base on the US west coast, in the Gulf of Mexico, Russia and the Middle East," says Merle.

Aker Solutions offers a complete range of process systems technologies to the oil and gas industry adapted to onshore and offshore requirements. Aker Solutions' North American headquarter is located in Houston, Texas.

The transaction value is undisclosed.

Separation Specialists

Separation Specialists Inc's main office is in Bakersfield, California. The company also has a facility in Louisiana. It was established in 1989 and has about 20 employees.

The company provides products for all types of produced water, including for oilfield, industrial, aluminum manufacturing, paper mills, and railroad usage.  The product range includes mechanically induced gas flotation, nutshell filters/walnut shell filters, ASME tank fabrication and repair, gravity separation equipment. The company also offers troubleshooting and field lifecycle services for own and third-party products.

The company will continue to market its services using its current name, Separation Specialists.