KUDU Industries….
Innovative from the
beginning
Alberta has always had a reputation for har-
vesting entrepreneurial heroes in the petroleum
industry. None more so than Robert and Ray Mills, owners and
operators of KUDU Industries Inc. in Calgary, Alberta.
The company was spawned in the late 1980s in the humble ga-
rage of Robert Mills, KUDU’s co-founder, and Chief Executive
Officer. After discovering a need for more efficient method of Pro-
gressing Cavity Pump technology in sand-laden heavy oil and high-
water-cut oil wells, Robert previously patented a novel PCP drive
system in 1982.
His son Ray, a fellow gear head, was always part of the team.
Together, they redefined PCP distribution in Canada and eventu-
ally distributed directly to customers across worldwide, raising the
innovation benchmark and adding heat to an already competitive
market.
18 Oil & Gas Network, February 2011
Over the years, the company has set
itself apart, including the personal atten-
tion to customized products and service
beyond average industry standards.
“Our philosophy offers something you
don’t get from our competition—con-
tinuous collaboration for product and
producer performance,” says Ray Mills.
“Our team of specialists offer product
maintenance, technical support and train-
ing 24/7, every day of the year. That’s rare
in our industry.”
Safety is also a high priority. KUDU has
implemented ISO standards and boosted
research and development—leading to
over 20 PCP patents in the artificial lift
field.
The family-run business is also respect-
ed for its core values and ethical practices.
So much so, KUDU has been lauded with the Innovation Insights put. A safety mechanism steps in and controls the speed and pre-
Award for Manufacturing Practices from the National Research vents pump off and breakage. The Data Logging also provides Real
Council of Canada, Canada’s Top 50 Best Managed Private Com- Time management of centralized information using a Supervisory
panies, Calgary Manufacturing Industry’s 2008 Best Employer for Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system. The diagnostic tool
medium sized manufacturers and the Alberta Export Award for Oil also allows a user to remotely control changes. The SAM PCP Well
and Gas Manufacturer 2009. Manager is CSA approved as well as IPC and ISO certified.
KUDU introduced three key innovations, all of which are quickly 3. Tough Coat™ is KUDU’s solution for prolonging the life of
gaining momentum in the industry: PCP rotors, adding a longer life span and increasing efficiency over
1. KUDU’s PCM Vulcain™ Metal-to-Metal Pump for SAG-D chrome-plated counterparts. It’s applicable in light, medium and
and CSS applications is now hard at work in Alberta oilfields and is heavy oil applications and lasts longer in adverse and highly abrasive
one of the first companies in the world to provide this breakthrough conditions and environments. The payoff? Increased well revenue,
technology. Built for high thermal applications, the PCM Vulcain no weakening or wear, (typical of chrome rotors in similar applica-
pump allows for operations up to 350°F. It accommodates a wide tions) lower operating costs, and improved pump life. KUDU has
range of viscosities, temperatures, pressures and flow rates with no seen vast expansion over the past 22 years, with field offices spread
gas lock or rod fall issues. A demonstration of the PCM Vulcain will across the Canadian Prairies, United States, Australia, Kazakhstan,
be presented during the Heavy Oil Congress in Edmonton, Alberta Oman and Russia. KUDU technology is found in over nearly 30
March 15-17, 2011. countries, in some of the most inhospitable climates.
2. The SAM PCP Well Manager, a dual innovation designed by  “Our products can accommodate any environment,” adds Ray Mills.
KUDU and Lufkin Automation, offers a combination of software “We’ve got over 200 employees across the planet tapping into a growing
and on-site hardware that provides an effective control algorithm global market. We’re poised and ready for the next wave.”
which automates and optimizes a well. It enables producers to gather To find out more about KUDU products, visit www.kudupump.com or
data, measure, monitor, and adjust torque to ensure maximum out call 1-800-642-5519.